A few thoughts on Mother's Day

I know, I'm behind a little...what can I say. I just wanted to write a little about Mother's day...it seemed wrong to let such an important day slip by and not say anything about it. I am so thankful for my mother and for all she has done for me. Growing up my parents always had to work hard-when I was in elementary school my dad pastored a small church that he and my mother started-he also worked full time as a maintenance man for some apartments that were close to our home. My mother cleaned houses in the day time, and they cleaned a bank at night...they were always busy-either doing something for the church (visiting, having Bible study, going to nursing homes) or working. They were so busy, but yet they always made time for us. As we got older, I remember my mother telling us to write down qualities that we wanted our husband to have....I didn't want to do that. I figured it would be a long ways off, and I would worry about it when I got older. I don't remember if I actually wrote it down, but it did make me think. I am so glad that the Lord led me to a godly man. My mom was always getting after us girls (there are 3 girls in my family) about different things...my dad was so easy going....sometimes we didn't like to hear what she had to say. I realize now why she did certain things....and I'm thankful she cared enough about us to try and teach us right! She was the one who led me to the Lord.
I am so thankful for the relationship that we have.

I also am thankful that I have the privilege to be a mother. I know there are so many women who want to have children and aren't able to....I don't know why the Lord saw fit to give me children, but I am very humbled and thankful that He did. I love my kids with all my heart; they are so precious. I am so glad they are willing to overlook all of my faults and love me anyway...even though I'm not always the mother I need to be to them. I know I mention my kids from time to time, but it's mainly just telling a funny story or something like that...I just want to mention a little about them in general.

Shelby is such a pretty, sweet child. She always has a big smile on her face...she is so loving-and she cares about people. She is so smart-she has always amazed me with how quickly she puts things together (for lack of better words). Just like when I was early in my pregnancy with Savannah, and hadn't told the kids yet...she figured it out. Although we didn't confirm her suspicions. She is such a big help to me and I love her to death.....my first born.

Spencer is a sweet boy. He enjoys helping his Daddy do any kind of job. Like the other night washing cars; he scrubbed those wheels-and they really looked nice when he finished. He loves to work-he'll make some girl a good husband. He's getting bigger, but still has that sweetness of being little. He does have the tendency to get a little hot headed....but I can't say too much about that....it had to come from somewhere.

Sarah Beth is a character. She is our curly headed, surprise baby. I know I've shared before, but will mention it again. Spencer was 6 mths old when I found out I was pregnant with Sarah. I was so upset....Todd was thrilled. I was okay after seeing his response-I've never been sorry the Lord gave her to us. She keeps us laughing all the time with the things she comes off with. She is so unique to say the least, as they all are....I always struggle with finding the words to describe her. She's totally opposite of Shelby...don't get me wrong, she's loving, too and sweet in her own way-but she DEFINITELY has a mind of her own...and doesn't mind to share her thoughts. You never have to wonder what she's thinking....you may wonder where it came from...but that's a whole 'nother show. :-)

Stuart is so handsome and sweet-he looks just like his Daddy. He enjoys working with the boys, too, but is still small yet. He loves playing at the property in the dirt with the big trucks. He is such a good brother to Savannah-he loves her to death. He is always talking to her, making her smile-in the car he sits by her sometimes and he'll hold her little hands and talk to her. Precious. He cracks us up repeating lines from Matilda-quotes from Miss Trenchbull....he changes his voice trying to sound like her....it's hilarious. Lately, he has been coming in to big church-he's about to get the boot from the nursery since he'll be 4 on the 31st. I was amazed at how well he does....he is so quiet! None of our kids have been that quiet when they first started coming in church. Just another way they are different.

Seth Garrett is so cute and always has a big grin. He sucks on his two middle fingers of his left hand when he's sleepy and holds a blanket up to his face...so precious. It keeps him little. He runs around and plays, but then there are those times when he just wants to be held and cuddled. He is all boy...covered in bruises half the time. He gets into things if you turn your head for very long....but he is 2...that kind of goes w/the territory. He can be doing something he knows he shouldn't do, and then he'll give you a big grin...it saves him, SOMETIMES! It didn't help the day I had gone to the basement to get laundry and came back up to find him standing there in a mound of powdered coffee creamer-he had dumped the whole bottle on the floor!!!! He loves to aggravate me, when I'm begging him for a kiss...and he's determined not to give me one. I love his dark brown eyes-which all the boys have-his just seem a little different, I guess because he's always smiling.

Savannah Grace is such a precious baby. I love the stage she is at right now...she just grins, and sometimes laughs. I love when I walk into the room and she sees me and seems to light up and grin....just like I'm the most important person-or that's how it makes me feel. I am so thankful the Lord gave us another little girl. I guess I just had myself convinced we were having a boy, although I wanted a girl...I guess I just didn't want to feel let down if the baby was a boy. I remember the night before I went in to be induced talking to the kids and the girls were saying how they hoped it was a girl, I tried to smooth things over, in case it was a boy...I just didn't think there was any chance it was a girl....going on heart rate and all-of course, Sarah was in the "boy range" the whole time, so I don't know why I let that influence my thinking. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise when she was born and I heard, "It's a girl!" I was shocked....so happy...and just couldn't get over the fact we had a girl! She is so good and rarely cries-only when she's tired and doesn't want to give it up, or hungry....and sometimes when you take her bottle away to burp her. I love watching them grow and change and learn to do new things. I'm so glad I get to be home with them.

I am so thankful to have these kids-I am truly blessed. They are precious and I don't deserve them, but like I said before, I'm glad the Lord saw fit to give them to us.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day. I know a mother's work is never done, and we feel unappreciated at times-it's a hard job! But keep it up....I know we'll be glad one day we did. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.