"HAPPY MOTHERS DAY"
I was featured on "GOOSEBERRY PATCH"
May 7th
(click on this link below and it will get you to Gooseberry and the article is on May 7th)
http://gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/So if you'd like, you can go there to read what they have put together
I was so shocked and amazed when they asked if they could do a feature
on me and my blog for Mothers Day.
I am tickled to death that they would even be aware of me, let alone
approach me for such a sweet kindness. Thank You Gooseberry Patch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So now on with this post....
I so love and admire all women...they carry heavy loads whether they choose to be a
stay at home Mom ( or) choose a career (or) have to work. I always wanted to just be a Mom at
home with my kids, and with 8 thats just what I got, I think I chose it partly, because my Mom worked. I have never regretted my choice.
Being a wife and mother has taught me the blessings of living outside myself...such a
wonderful cure for basic, self-centeredness. This part of my life has never been drudgery
but has defined the uniqueness of my gender...I have loved to be the nurturer of my family.
Maybe I am a bit selfish...I never wanted to share my joys of holding and hugging and tender words whispered...I never wanted to miss all the firsts of my children...the silly times...the trials and hard times...the explanations of life...the bugs and pets...the comfort and safety...the adventures...the challenges...the bonding...the stories that we will remember for all our lives.
Why would a Mother ever believe she is replaceable:
Nothing and no one can replace Mom...no hired help..no nanny...no day care or baby sitter.
I doubt any of us would choose any of them for ourselves instead of a warm mommy, would you? No one can replace your voice...your hands...your smile..your attention and your love can never be matched by someone who may have taken some child development classes.
I know of women who on their day off send the kids to day care so they can have their free day to themselves. A life of we instead of a life of me may be the only thing that saves a child in the crazy world. I wonder...what is "True Motherhood?"
I remember sitting in the rocking chair with an uneasy toddler...rubbing her back, singing her a song...she turned up to me and said with such love and conviction; Mommy, you are my wahwahby! As she fell asleep in my arms, tears of joy slipped down my cheeks at this moment of pure love.
No, I was not out there in the worldly work force, lunching with co-workers, trying to impress..someone...I was not overseen by someone who might give me a performance-based raise, or praise. Instead, I was in the most beautiful and profound position I could have ever held...I was my child's wahwahaby... and I wouldn't trade that for all the world!
Research is now showing that when Mothers spend longer periods of time away from their children, the sensitivity of their interactions with their children decreases. Children who are with Mothers that are attentive....not intrusive but responsive....for greater amounts of time develop a healthier sense of interacting with the world than children who are not, and they are less likely to develop behavioral problems later on.
It is vitally important to..."Be At The Crossroads"... of our children's lives.
We must take time to always be at the crossroads when our children are going and coming....
When they leave and return from school, when they leave and return from dates, when they bring friends home. Be there at the crossroads whether your children are six or sixteen. Among the greatest concerns in our society are the millions of latchkey children who come home daily to empty houses, unsupervised by working parents.
A child was asked where her home was, she relied; "Where Mommie is."
I have always loved the story of the woman who was courted by a handsome man who was nicely dressed and with new boots. She consented to marry him and on arriving at his home was shocked at the run-down shack. She went inside finding it dark and deary and dirty...she turned to say that she couldn't live here and would leave, when her eyes fell upon two little children sitting quietly in the corner of the cabin.
There was something about the little boys sad eyes that held her heart...she stayed and raised those two little ones with great love.
Later the boy who grew up said; "All that I am or hope to be I owe to my Mother."
And as you know she was his step-mother and he was Abe Lincoln.
I think Motherhood is a wonderful thing and the most valuable career. Motherhood incorporates all of the diplomas given out in college. You have to be a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, a cook and nutritionist. Many skills are needed as a mother, but one of the most crucial is to listen. We can learn a lot from our children if we listen, really listen to hear their feelings and their thoughts. Then we can know where to start to guide them
We can never give up on our children...it is so important to teach the while they are young...but there comes a time that the child becomes responsible. They have their free agency. It's hard but we have to let them have their agency...some of them will learn only by the consequences they have to pay.
" A Woman's Lifeline"
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a queen
Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an ugly duckling
(Mom, I can't go to school looking like this!)
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall,
too straight/too curly" but she decides she's going out anyway!
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall,
too straight/too curly" but decides she doesn't have time to fix it so she's
going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall
too straight/too curly: but says, "At least I am clean," and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and says, "I am what I am," and goes wherever she wants to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see
themselves in the mirror anymore. She goes out and conquers the world!
Age 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter, and ability and goes out and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.
The moral is....maybe we should all grab that purple hat a little earlier!
Motherhood is the highest, holiest service assumed by mankind...
I'd rather be a mother than anyone on earth
Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth....
I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bed
Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] head.
I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyes
Than paint the pageantry of fame or walk among the, so called wise.
-Meredith Gray-
I hear your footsteps on the pathway, the turn of your key in the door
I find my fears are unfounded...You are safe and home once more.
No matter who you "Mother"....it is such a blessing
to you and to them. A great gift from our Heavenly Father to us!
~WISHING.... A VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO EVERYONE~
(if you missed it, there are some really fun recipes in the post below)
A grand daughter full of sunshine...on a Spring day
Grand kids showing me their new baby kittens
~For spending time with a handsome little grandson~
For a little grandson who loves to show me his rabbits...Miss Pearl
For a little red breasted bird that came along just in time
And Miss Ruby~
My daughter Tiffany.. and a couple of my daughter Lindsey's friends ..Gave Lindsey a baby shower today. Lindsey's friends from her work and college were invited.
Tiffany had made a banner to welcome the new baby girl to be...
These young gals had put quite a table together...I was so impressed!
Then they really got the party started...
They had to see who could drink the baby bottle
Lindsey got lots of really nice gifts for the baby...her friend made her this beauty!
And every little girl needs a kitty and a bag to match!
Lindsey loved the fleece and silk blanket I made
A gift from her sister Tiffany...WOW!
And just what every Mommie of a little girl needs for summer...Pink flip-flops!
Me and some of my daughters and grand daughters...
Comparing baby bellies...the one on your left is due...NOW!
Then for a game of T-Ball in the back yard!
Lindsey's husband Michael...he was so sweet,
Then we went out to see Tiffany's new home...
Headed home...a 2 hour drive...are we tired yet?
No place like home...the sun was setting on this mountain
