My Mom

Tuesday, March 11 is my mom's birthday. So, this is in honor of her. My mom is the oldest of 5 sisters. Her mom died when she was 17 or 18. From stories that my aunts have told me, she was an amazing role model and so helpful to all of them while they were growing up. She hasn't changed a bit. She then had 3 daughters with me being the youngest. I live the farthest from my mom at 1 1/2 hours away, but still talk on the phone with her several times a week. My mom is now retired, but gives of her time to so many others. She volunteers at the local nursing home, takes care of their flower garden as well as the garden at their church, serves on numerous committes at our church, watches her great-grandson at least 3 days a week, helps care for the country church and cemetery that she grew up with and where many of our ancestors are buried, makes quilts for any occasion, serves on the hospital auxilliary, etc, etc. I don't think a day goes by that my mom isn't giving of her time to someone. She is known by Grandma B to her numerous grand and great grand children. I cherish my mom so much. My husband lost his mom just over a year ago and I know how precious my time with my mom is. I just want her to know she is my role model. We have had some difficulties in our family over the years and she has been the rock for me to lean on and I hope I have been for her as well. So, for all you do for others, Mom, take a day and let's do something for you! Love you mom! Happy Birthday!

How to spot a mom

You know you are a mom when the only bandaid you can find is a Dora the Explorer bandaid! I had a small cut on my finger and the only bandaid I had that would fit and stay on the cut was a Dora bandaid. So, even though I felt a little silly wearing it today...I knew I would be spotted by other moms who would probably silently say to themselves..."I've been there." So, next time you see a woman with snot rubbed on her shirt, eating a package of fruit snacks, looking like she needs a shower, or wearing a kid bandaid...give her a smile and say, "Hey, I've been there!"

A Personal Day

One day last week I had the opportunity for 6 hours all to myself. As a stay-at-home mom that doesn't happen very often. So, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish with high hopes of getting all of them done. Of course, that didn't happen, but I did have a full day! Every year in January I go through our past photos and pick about 30 of our favorites from the year and place them in a collage frame. I have bought the same frame for the past 5 years from Michaels. Then throughout the year, I keep a special envelope of photos that I think will work in those particular spots in the frame. I had such a good time going through and placing the photos and reminiscing over our vacation photos, birthday photos, family gatherings, and just plain silliness. It was such a perfect day for me to spend alone in my own thoughts. I realized how blessed I truly am. What do you do to keep your family memories preserved? The kids were so excited to see which photos made the frame this year. They loved talking about each photo and what we were doing at the time. We have just finished our basement, so I have the perfect hallway that all of these collage frames are going to be placed to share with others. My "day off" didn't give me time to catch up on my reading, or time to take a nap, but it did fill me full of joy and laughter and reminded me of all the blessings in my life.

Holding a grudge

In December I let go of a grudge that I had been holding for 15 years. I ran into the person and just decided I was going to forgive him and let it go. I can not tell you how good that felt. I instantly felt so much lighter. I have no idea if he was holding a grudge against me, but I needed to let go of that resentment and hate that I had been holding in. We had a nice conversation and I just feel I can release that part of my past. In Proverbs 4:25 it says. "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." What a great verse to start the new year. Only looking ahead and not in your past where you are reliving your mistakes, misfortunes, the "what-ifs". Letting yourself forgive and release the past and instead look forward for focus on what is ahead of you. God has a great future planned, so make sure you are looking ahead and moving forward. Consider forgiving someone today. Consider releasing that grudge and resentment. Reconsider getting revenge on someone. Just let it go. Give it up to God and start your life looking ahead.

Our Purpose

As I look back on 2007 and look forward to 2008, I think this quote from Oswald Spengler says it all. May you find purpose in your life and use it for good.

"This is our purpose:
to make as meaningful as possible
this life that has been bestowed upon us,
...to live in such a way
that we may be proud of ourselves,
to act in such a way
that some part of us lives on.

Time

"Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations." Faith Baldwin

You may look at your life right now and think, this isn't really what I had in mind. Or maybe your life is better than you could have ever imagined. I think this quote says a lot about how each of us adjusts to what life throws at us. Sometimes we have to alter our original plans and move forward with a new plan. This can be hard for someone like me who likes to have life planned out. So, maybe we have to take life in here a little bit and let an inch out there and add a collar or a hem. Whatever happens, roll with it and as we say in our family...Let Go and Let God!

Quotes from the Great Mysterious

I recently read the book "Welcome to the Great Mysterious" by Lorna Landvik. There were some parts of the book that I loved so much, I wanted to rewrite them here.

From "Welcome to the Great Mysterious"...
There are many kinds of love and many kinds of true love. Above all and what should be the truest love, is the love of God. Next is the love a mother feels for a child. This love is stronger than any other kind of love because it is a love she would die for. This is not to say true love between a man and a woman is a weaker love; it is only different. There is more choice, free will involved. A mother has no choice when it comes to her children; she loves them, no matter what. The love for a brother, sister, parent, friend can also be true in that feeling of affection and kindheartedness and goodwill and a wish for the best is no lie.

From "Welcome to the Great Mysterious"...
The things that let us see the world also let people see the world in us.

How do people see you? Are you giving them a positive view of the world? Is the world around you glowing? Are your eyes smiling?

Purchase WELCOME TO THE GREAT MYSTERIOUS by clicking the photo below: