A Few of my Favorite Mother's Day Memories

I kept forgetting to take the traditional "stand together and look cute" pictures this weekend. Then, this morning, I forgot to take any more pictures of the actual day. I do love all of my children, but sometimes I can't seem to get them all in a picture. Oh well, we've taken those before. 

Mary, Lydia and Abigail with Mama

What an amazing example of motherhood my mother has been. She has taught me to do whatever it takes to raise her children and to be generous with her life.

Mama, aka Grandma, was teaching Abigail that sugar is good on everything. And as you can tell  by Abi's pajamas, it was early morning. Abigail also managed to empty Grandma's cabinet to "make ice cream"; cut her finger on a food processor blade; then bleed all over every dish and the cabinet. We only thought we were through washing the dishes. Apparently, large funnels on the head are the key to good homemade ice cream.

We stopped by Nana's to say Happy Mother's Day and took a spin on the golf cart. Nana taught Abigail to drive. Who knows what else she'll learn!

I'm so thankful for Ray's mother and her commitment to family. She certainly knows how to laugh and has taught my girls some great silly songs.

Rachel and Adrian had all of us over for supper. Her lemon cupcakes are delicious!

Rachel has two babies, keeps her house great, cooks wonderful meals and never complains about parenting. I have truly never heard her complain about having to take care of her children. She is always searching for something fun to do with them and their uninhibited giggles are proof that she is doing a great job.

Ray and the girls over did the presents this year so much that it felt like Christmas. 

Josiah is growing fast and gives the sweetest kisses, but my favorite present from him is when he called me "Gigi" this week. Grammy is still my name to them, but it comes out like that and I love to hear them call my name.

I did get Hannah and Lydia posing for pictures.

During my quiet time this morning, Abigail crawled in my lap. It was great reminder to pray for all of my girls and to thank God for my over flowing cup.

This afternoon, we had one of our sweetest friends over for lunch. I'm so disappointed we didn't get any pictures. To hear our children talk and love me, her and each other made me so thankful to God. Yes, they have their moments like everyone, but they do bless me often!

My Mom

I respect my mom, a lot, and I'm grateful for God allowing me to call her "Mama." She has taught me to work hard, encourage others, give generously, and to love freely. She hasn't complained once that I changed the date of Mother's Day because I can't get there today. Happy Mother's Day!

P.s. She is one amazing grandmother!

A Few Mother's Day Pictures

I know, I'm behind on these pictures but I really loved them and wanted to post them.

Rachel makes a beautiful and delicious breakfast braid.

Some days it's just plain fun to have a live wire in the house.

When Lydia loves, she loves with all that she has.

The last family picture before Susannah.

Happy Mother's Day

What a joy to be a Mama!

Valentine's Day

Does it make a person sound more spiritual if they say, "Oh, I don't celebrate Valentine's Day - I tell my wife I love her every day," especially if they say it in a condescending tone of voice?

There are plenty of examples of celebrations in Scripture. There were many festivals - festival of booths, Harvest celebrations, David dancing before the Lord when the ark was returned to Israel, etc. It seems that it's okay to celebrate life in special ways. Today, why not say I love you in a more flowery tone with sweet aromas? (Think Song of Solomon.)

The only two examples of birthday parties in the Bible ended very badly, but that doesn't mean we aren't without excuse to celebrate life and big events. It doesn't mean you have to, only that it's okay.

This Mother's Day, try making sure your mom knows that you are grateful that she chose life. On Father's Day, be glad that your father raised you the way He did. I know there could be a lot of baggage there, but God has you where you are for a reason. Learn from it. Be grateful. Be grateful at New Year's that the calendar is still turning for you. Prepare for Resurrection Sunday ahead of time so that your family understands its implications. Glory in the colors of Spring, Summer and Fall. Be thankful for the quietness of Winter mornings.

This morning there is a bird chirping outside my window. He may not be telling the love of his life Happy Valentine's Day, but he is certainly bringing praise to His Creator. And no one can deny he is celebrating life today. So put on your pink and tell someone that you love them in an especially sweet way.

My Mom

Today I was talking with my accountability partner about my mom because I learned so much about hospitality from her. As I thought more about the things she did, the more I realized that when she opened her home, it wasn't just about entertaining. As a child, I know of her having to struggle to make ends meet, but we often had the preacher over for Sunday lunch or she took food over to my Grandma's to share with the family. As a teenager, many Sunday School parties were held in our home. And now, when I take my kids to her house, there is always more than just an open door. She goes all out to make sure there is something special for them, even when she doesn't feel good. At family meals, there is often a pie stuck in the freezer for someone to take home - just because she knows they love it; or a certain dish served - just because someone else bragged on it. Last Fall, Mama kept asking my girls about their favorite  foods so she could serve those at Thanksgiving. So along with the usual turkey and dressing, we enjoyed shrimp and grits, baked spaghetti and macaroni and cheese. (Yes, we helped cook and it was a lot!) Mama truly wants to serve her guests and even when she isn't able, tries to make sure they are well taken care of. It's not uncommon for me to leave with a full meal prepared to take home with me. I try to keep up with her and tell her that we want to help her, but she is almost always in the kitchen serving. My mom has given to so many and I am thankful for her example to me and my family. I hope I can give to others in my life half as generously and sacrificially as she has. On this Mother's Day, I pray that God would bless her and

"her children would rise up and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28

Family Yard Work

After working in the yard for several hours in my flower beds and planting a new dogwood, Mary was very proud of how pretty everything looked. She said, "I bet all the landscapers who drive by here are going to be jealous."
Lydia shot back, "Pshh, Better Homes and Gardens are going to want to take pictures!"
Hannah's response? "I hope not, they'll want me and Sarah to clean our room!"

They even scrubbed the little yard girl and boy.

Lydia wanted to shovel all day!

We moved the coneflowers out of the front flower bed where they were trying to take over to a less conspicuous place in the back.

I don't know what is scarier with the weed wacker - Rachel or Hannah.

Happy Mother's Day

I love being a mother to daughters! God has truly blessed me.

As I was praying this morning, God impressed upon me to pray for the mothers of my own church. In our church we have mothers who:

• became Christians later in life and are faithfully praying and witnessing to their children
• have taken in others' children to care for as their own
• are seeking to win their husbands to Christ
• have been Christians many years and watched their own dear children rebel against the Lord
• are young and desperately seeking God's favor on their own children
• quietly move through day to day hardships raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
• lack confidence in their own abilities to raise their children
• been a mother for many years and watched their own children walk through great dangers toils and snares

But this is my prayer today for them - that God would give them children that rise up and call them blessed, their husbands would trust them and be known in the gates, and they would impart their own sincere faith into their children that they would not have a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Happy Mother's Day

My prayer today is that I would honor my mother the way she deserves as I teach my children to honor God the way He deserves.

I know so many great mothers so when I prayed this morning I spent time thanking God for them and asking Him to give me the qualities of each of them that I admire so much. I could mention so many women today, but it seems recently God brings my friend Ami to my mind so much lately. Read her story here and here. While she strives to live the life God has called her to live, she is open about her struggles. (Which we all have, but wouldn't be brave enough to admit.) I am so amazed at the journey she is on right now.

Mother's Day Funny

Here is a hilarious view of what mother's say every day. Remember, I don't condone just randomly searching youtube.

A Scene Played Out Everywhere Today