It's a boy thing...that is all there is to it!

Does this mean I am lazy when I smush it all in one pan all at once?

"NO, it means we can have a bigger piece than a normal size cookie!" agreed the kids.  When it is 50 degrees outside...baking is a mother must!  It was also a good motivation for the students to finish their schoolwork!

FYI

Alisa told her sister this morning, "I am the washer today.  Just letting you know, so your brain doesn't get all confused."

Watching the rain fall..."What if all the raindrops were candy...just like that song...it would be a good day!" said Teddy.

A voice...that a daughter should love!

It occurred to me today that I didn't even think to write a post about my mother for Mother's Day.  We  sent a fun and useful gift...which got to her in time.  I wrote on the pretty card.  I talked to her for 59 minutes and 52 seconds on Mother's Day.  (All those details add up!) 
Several months ago, as I wrote the program for our Mother's Day at church, I sat for hours thinking about and remembering the many things I learned from my mother.  After studying Proverbs 31 again, I then typed out the final project.  We started learning songs and Scripture in junior church to honor the mothers in attendance per pastor's request for a special program.
 
When I look at my mother...I see many portraits of her in my memory book of life. 
I have been told numerous times that I look like my mother...and sometimes even sound like my mother.  I am now seeing myself in our daughters...and I understand the importance of being an example of a Godly woman.  It isn't always fun to realize that they have picked up on my weaknesses!  I hear my words in their words.  I see my rolling eyes...when they roll their eyes at me.  These observations make me continually ask myself...
How do I look to our children? 
On the funny side, they recognize me without the "going out make-up and hair do".  They know I enjoy the warmth of my pink bathrobe and fuzzy slippers.  They know I smile at things that are sweet and enjoy a good cup of coffee.  They know their mom is silly and can laugh at herself.
On the serious side, they know what aggravates me. They know that I can cry at just about anything.  They hear the irritation in my voice and watch to see if I will be consistent.  They don't always get a look that smiles...sometimes it is distant and disengaged.
 
As I read Proverbs 31 yesterday...as part of the program...I was hit with a twinge of conviction as I read, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."  Mentally I stumbled and stopped...but physically...the sound had to keep coming...it was in the middle of the program! 
Sometimes I can say the stupidest things...because I answered in haste and in anger.  Sometimes there is no kindness in my words...just aggravation and irritation.  Of all people in our children's lives that should show them kindness...the mother who loves them! 
It makes me "feel like a good Christian mommy" to see ways that I am like that Proverbs 31 woman.  But in reality...there are many ways that I am not! 
Sometimes those definciencies make for a good joke...but honestly...it really isn't a laughing matter...
and that is what hit me yesterday!  I stood in my bathrobe and slippers in front of our church family and read Proverbs 31...and was humbled by the fact that I still have much to learn and practice.
 
As I think of how a mother should look...I think I should be concerned with how I sound too.
I remember my mother's kind words and gentle tones.  There were stern words too...there had to have been!  I was taught what was right and what was wrong...and I had consequences for both.  Honestly, I don't remember those times in great detail...because of how Dad and Mom handled things.  When disobedience was dealt with...it was done and over...not hanging over our heads.  Mom always took time to talk with us and train us to do many things.  I am so grateful for all those lessons...they prepared me for what I can do today.  She had time for her children.  Her words were kind and loving...not full of irritation as if we were a bother to her agenda and desires.  It wasn't an easy job.  There were tears.  There was Scripture and prayer.  
I was reminded yesterday as a grown-up daughter...even though I couldn't see my Mom...the picture I have in my memory is beautiful.  My mother's voice calms and draws me to her.  She opens her mouth with wisdom and her tongue is full of kindness. 
For 59 minutes, I enjoyed the sound of my mother's voice...and her words painted beautiful pictures for me.  I want our children to see a beautiful portrait...but I also want them to hear a beautiful voice...full of love and kindness.

A Mother's Day Special

Introduction that asked mothers...What kind of portrait is being drawn or painted for your children's memory?  Our children see us demonstrate on a daily basis the qualities that come from within...an inner beauty.  We find in Proverbs 31 the model for a Godly portrait! 

The men sang Who Can Find A Virtuous Woman?

This little girl was having trouble drawing a portrait of her mother for a cheap Mother's Day gift.  When she got discouraged and frustrated, Daddy came along to help remind her of how to handle the tough things in life.

These children sang beautifully!  A Mother's Gentle Love, Pray and Wait, An Old Account Settled, and My Mother's Bible.  They recited Proverbs 31:10, 28-30 and Philippians 4:8.

This poor mother couldn't seem to get out of her bathrobe very much today!  "You know you are a MOM when...spit is your number one cleaning agent!"  After focusing on being overwhelmed with "life as a mom", she was able to stop...re-focus (locked in the bathroom)...recall the day she got saved (something that changed her life and gives her the Holy Spirit to help her)...and look to God's Word (Proverbs 31) to daily help her in this most important job.

We all have learned from our mothers!  It doesn't matter our age...or season of life...God's Word has the answers and it never changes!  How often we lose that focus as mothers!  I know I do!  All my actions are making statements to my children...and all my inactions too! 

I wonder what kind of portrait these children...who worked so hard to do something special for their mothers...had in their mind today as they stood, sang, and recited...looking into the crowd for the approval of their mothers!  

It has been a Happy Mother's Day! Now it is Mother's Night...according to Teddy.

The card that my children picked out for me...the inside words offended their Dad...but they giggled about it.  It says..."Just pretend you are Dad."  Our Dad has been keeping their Mom sane by doing quite a bit around our house!  He has always been a wonderful help in that area...and I am so grateful!  I can be the mother I need to be...because of Ted's love and leadership in our home!

My little loves!

The important parts of our day!  The rolls of tape...the end product of several late night stops for Ted.  The first place didn't carry what we needed, which required more running.  We were trying to avoid the day before Mother's Day chaos that seems to overwhelm Walmart every year.  Don't waste your time at Lowe's and Menards looking for a specific color of duct tape...in our area, at least.  Just bite the bullet and go to the place that has it all...every time...Walmart.  Did you know they even carry camo duct tape? At 10 pm, they had tan/brown color Ted wanted!  Why the big deal about tape?  The masking tape helps to temporarily mark mics for the sound man.  The duct tape kept all the mic cords neat and removed any possibility of tripping hazards.  Next time...we may try putting it on the bottoms of shoes...to keep the children from "foot-falling" off the steps.  Each program, we learn the next little trick for making things go just a little bit smoother!

It has been a Happy Mother's Day!  I have much to be grateful for...not the least of which is the man who chose me to be the mother of his children!

Preparations for Mother's Day

The kids went shopping with Dad to pick out gifts for Mom's Special Day.  They arranged with Dad for me to open a specific gift to make my job easier...a cake decorating tool!  It did make my job easier...I only had to refill once...with no mess!!!  The girls helped me with the final touches on their cousins' birthday desserts for tonight.  I am always amazed by how much the kids notice...and they were right...this bigger bag works better than the smaller disposable ones!

A plant for Mother's Day!

Setting up and doing a sound check for our Mother's Day presentation in the morning service...

A Portrait of a Mother.

Is there a better dessert?  Cheesecake in two flavors is our contribution for dinner tomorrow!  Next year...I may just pass the wooden spoon and rubber scraper on to the girls...

they are watching and learning and practicing!

I may actually take the day off...and the prep days too!

This is a good picture of those days when...

everything seems to fall apart!  You have signs that things aren't going well...like seeing the frayed fabric pulling away from the wire framework.  Yet...you push on ignoring the warning signs.  So you still insist on using it because it is still functioning as a single unit...till gale force winds come along and rip it apart.  I shouldn't be surprised when I crumble...or when our umbrella falls apart.  There the pieces are in a tangled heap...waiting to be picked up. 
Thankfully, I am easier to repair than the frayed fabric umbrella! 
The sun, wind, and rain took their toll on this umbrella.  If I don't protect my heart by being in God's Word...the daily pressures of life can take a toll on me!

I traded my slippers for a new look...

in honor of my friend's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Cherry Friend!  Grown-up girls enjoy birthday parties with party favors too!  Alisa and Ashlynn are game to add ribbons to their flip-flops now too!

We play a version of Where's Waldo at our house...usually...

on Sunday mornings.  Teddy has to hunt for his belt and shoes.  Since we have started soccer, he has been taking care of his things...sort of.  I was inspecting his room and my eyes spied his shin guards and cleats...in a special bucket...where he can easily find them on Thursday!

I also spied his uniform shirt hung neatly on a hanger.  When his shorts and socks were washed, they too were hung neatly on a hanger...next to his other shirts thrown haphazardly on the hangers.  Not all of what we try to teach our children is forgotten...even though that is their normal response!

It's official...now...

he is a PURPLE team player!  No crazy stories from last night's game.  I guess nobody was in the mood after the team pictures and a late start.  Or maybe it was because everybody was too cold!!! 
Aunt Sara and the girls went for hot chocolate. 
Aslynn learned a very important lesson...when Mom says grab another sweatshirt or jacket...she knows what she is saying!  If you dawddle...and Dad says, "Let's go!"...you will not have another chance!
Mom learned a lesson too...check the camera battery BEFORE leaving for an event involving family!

Thanks, Auntie, for letting me use your camera!

It has been a month...

since we came home from the hospital following Alisa's second surgery.  It hit me this afternoon as I was washing dishes.  As Alisa was telling Grammy how she was doing, I took her picture.  She is a picture of God's grace...and it is a beautiful picture to us!  She continues to do well...sleeping through the night, good strength, normal appetite, abundant silliness, and very active.  We are thankful for the blessings and lessons that have enriched our life because of this little girl...and the grace that God offers to cover her life...and yours!

"How skillful the hands of the artist, who painted this picture of her,
He saw with the eyes of a Master how beautiful her life could be,
Where once was a portrait of gloom and despair, this masterpiece made in its place.  It's signed with His blood and framed with His glory, this beautiful picture of grace."

Jesus died on the cross to cover the penalty of sin and its ugliness.  Because of His love...His grace is offered to each one of us...so we might have life more abundantly!