When did the definition of commitment become, “Until someone better comes along?”
“Save someone a heart, stay single.”
So very glad that I’m married to a man who loves me and puts up with me even though I’m not the greener grass on the other side. I should make a t-shirt that says,
“I’m not the greener grass and my husband is ok with that!”
Love you, babe!
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about what it is to be a wife and a mother. I’m not so sure I’m very good at it. At least, not this week. Not looking for a pity party; just being real.
I love to write, but sometimes I hold myself back because…well, just because.
But tonight, my heart is heavy with motherhood.
So what have I learned and what do I have to give? To begin with, I’d like to say congratulations to the few of my friends who have become grandparents this week. You know who you are and you amaze me! I can only imagine what it is to be a grandparent. What a joy it must be to watch your child become a mother (or father) themselves. For it is only then, that they can truly know the depth of love that a mother can have for her children.
I am blessed with not one, but seven children and a wonderful daughter-in-law. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the blessings He has given me.
But most days, I wake up praying for them. I’ve been doing it a long time. You pray they’ll be born with all their fingers and toes. Then you pray that they’ll grow up to be healthy and happy. Then you pray that they’ll be ok when it’s time for you to let them go. And you pray that they’ll some day figure out that you have always been there for them, even when they didn’t like you very much.
Because the reality of motherhood is that you don’t get to be their best friend. Motherhood is not for the tenderhearted no matter what anyone says. Motherhood means you have to be tough. It means sleepless nights and years of pure exhaustion. You have to be willing to stand up for what is right and hold them accountable even when your heart is breaking while you do it. Motherhood is about molding them into strong, caring, loving adults who know the difference between right and wrong and will hold tight to a God who loves them. Motherhood is about preparing them for life.
And in today’s society, it can feel impossible. There is so much out there in the world to influence them. We’re fighting a world that has gone crazy. A co-worker said to me this week, “I look at these kids and they are our kids ages. And I think to myself…this is OUR generation that is messing them up. Isn’t that crazy?”
It is…because today, it’s about instant gratification and whatever can make you happy for the moment. It’s an “all about me” world instead of a “Serve others” world.” Too often, we are consumed with what will make us happy for the moment; and we forget to care about those who should be the most important to us.
Don’t get me wrong, there is so much more to motherhood. Motherhood is also about being willing to go to the ends of the earth for your children. It’s about being willing to push forward no matter what. I remember when my daughter was so sick for so long. I took her to doctor after doctor after doctor. Finally, someone asked me, “How far will you go before you stop?” My answer?
“I will take her wherever necessary and never stop until I find out what is wrong.” And we did…even though it took us from California until we ended up in Kansas City.
Life is tough. I know would not be able to survive without a deep abiding faith in Him.
Motherhood has brought me the deepest heartache and the greatest joy. There is nothing that compares to a snuggle or a macaroni necklace. Buttefly kisses, eskimo kisses, and smiles that will melt your heart. The joy that is felt when you realize that you have done all you can as they marry and start on an adventure of their own.
And so, this Mother’s Day, I go into it knowing that I’m not about to win any prizes for a job well done. It doesn’t really make me happy, but it probably does make me a decent parent. And as much as I’d love to be the best friend, the love of a mother is so much more.
Be encouraged my friends, motherhood is by far a blessing like no other.
Happy Mother’s Day!
We like to go on walks, especially when we are in Colorado for the summer. There is a new park near us, the Wetlands, that we like to visit. Well, it’s not new, new…but they had their grand opening today for their new visitor center. And it was totally worth going, especially if you have elementary aged children. There are a ton of interactive activities for the kids to participate in. The volunteers/staff were wonderful.
And that’s before you even go out and explore the park!
Which we did! And had a photo shoot to go with it. Click on the thumbnails to see the full pictures!
It’s called a walk down memory lane… Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking the Drama Queen to her first Revolve Tour. As my friend and I drove our girls to California for the day, memories of Revolve Tours past came to mind. We laughed as we talked about taking our older daughters when they were this age…and how we couldn’t figure out why we were all so cold…until we found out that we were sitting on an ice rink! And how we were given ear plugs because it was so loud with THOUSANDS of teenage girls screaming, “Hawk Nelson!” and how they calmed down and cried when listening to Natalie Grant sing with her amazing voice!
Today it was a mega-church full of teenage girls screaming to “Anthem Lights” instead. I gotta say…I really like the lyrics to their songs. I especially like this one; what a message for young hearts!
And still, the amazing Natalie Grant was there! Always a blessing to hear her sing and share what’s going on in her life!
What a fun day I had spending it with a long time friend and our girls. It had been far too long since we had had a lengthy talk….it brought back memories of when we were young mothers just starting out….and now how we have adult children who are married and starting their own lives now. We’re one of those moms…you know, the ones that have grown children…yet we still have younger children, too. Adopting two more has given me even a larger span….ages 8 to 25!
Which brings me to today. This morning, all of the older children were gone, leaving just my two youngest with me. So, we headed to the grocery store, picked out muffins for breakfast and then headed home to get ready for church.
Which brings me to this moment…nothing better than sitting outside in the backyard with a cool breeze…listening to SOS and watching them climb trees…happy at last. Looking back to four years ago, we just recently got custody of them for the second time. As I read, I remembered how hard it was for them to be torn out of their home yet again and the struggles they went thru just to get thru each day. Four years ago today, my then-nephew-now-son had remarked…”I’m so happy!” because he was so happy to be with us. A year later, we were flying kites in a park while the DQ got to take pictures with a new bride in her wedding dress taking photos at the park.
And then, we lost them again.
It was a long haul, but today, they are finally where they belong. And no, it isn’t easy. It probably never will be…but on days like today, it’s nice to know that we can sit outside, enjoy the weather…and have a few smiles.
And climb a few trees.
I looked to see what I was doing a year ago. That’s the cool thing about having a blog.
A lot of it was the same….gardening, enjoying the weather, etc. Seems I was having a relaxing weekend at this time last year.
Not so much this time. Ha ha
This weekend started off with the Smart One going deep sea fishing (I asked him to catch a shark for me, but…), the Talented One disappearing for the weekend and Bboo hanging with her friends now that she has her own car. Then there are the two youngest; one of whom I spent the entire day with at the kitchen table working on a school project. It’s careers this time, so he chose to do a project on Office Managers…aka…interview mom. That was fun as he learned about what I really do and it’s not just sit at a desk all day. The Princess got to spend quality quiet time with Dad, which is probably just what she needed.
Then we made home made pizza’s and settled in for the night….only not so much. Seems the Drama Queen wanted to have a little drama and so we ended up at ER half the night. She’s fine now, but had fun scaring us all. Bboo drove up just as we were walking out, so she drove us. Then the Good -Looking one showed up with his new bride who isn’t used to well… She’s just not used to all of the drama we experience. That’s ok…we’ll show her how it’s done!
Honestly, we try really hard to stay away from drama. We managed a whole three months…to the day!
I’ve decided that that is just what it is meant to be. In a family this large…there is always going to be something. No use getting upset…
drama=life=itsavivasthing!
So today….couch, HGTV, candy crush…well…that’s about it!