“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”  Hunter S. Thompson

That quote sums up motherhood to me.  Can you see it?  At the end of your life you’re comin’ in hot, not slowing down for anything. 

You have given this life your all and you have no regrets.  It sounds exhausting until you shout out with enthusiasm, “Wow!  What a ride!”   Wait, it has actually been thrilling and exciting and there has been growth and adventure and laughter.   You can totally be used up and worn out because you have laughed and played and pushed yourself so hard to enjoy it all.  This is how I try to live my life and this is why I absolutely love the challenges of being a mother.  

Every morning I say a list of affirmations:

• Great things happen to me every day.
• I am so excited about what I’m going to do today.
• I make the most of today.
• I fear nothing.  Nothing will hold me back or limit me.
• I have what it takes.
• I am strong today.
• I will keep my promises to myself today.
• I always do my best.

And every day something will happen that causes me to repeat one or two or three of these affirmations.  I have to remind myself that I’ve got this: 

• Do I yell or do I calmly approach the situation where my child has dropped a glass plate? (“I have what it takes. I have what it takes.”)
• Do I go watch a TV show by myself or do a simple craft with my kids? (“I make the most of today.”)
• Do I stay in the comforts of my home or do I start a photography business because I love taking photos? (“I fear nothing.  Nothing will hold me back or limit me.”)

I know how I want to look back on my life and then I take baby steps every day to live that exact life with the small choices I make.  This is truly the greatest ride we’re on and I believe we have more control than we realize to make it awesome.

By Amy Kroff

Amy Kroff is a mother to seven kiddos, a sibling to five, a wife to one of the greats, and a friend to anyone who will make eye contact with her.  She grew up in Arizona and loves to play in the sunshine any chance she gets, even if it’s through a frozen window in January.  She graduated from BYU with her degree in Home and Family Science and served a full time mission in Nashville, TN.  She loves to dance with her daughters and play practical jokes on her sons and husband.  Constantly finding new ways to bring fun and energy to any situation she is always learning a new skill.  She has learned balloon-twisting, sucker-making, magic tricks, spontaneous games and recently is even working on ventriloquy - just to name a few.  Always wanting to learn and develop Amy has grown a high-end photography business and is sought after due to her abilities to turn a family photo shoot into amazing art for the home.

She was recently selected as Utah Mother of the Year 2019.