Hey, Dear Ones! I’ve been meaning to hop on the blog all weekend long to say Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms but I’ve been so busy being one, I haven’t had a solitary second! Melissa flew in on Wednesday and worked at LPM the rest of the week so she could be here for Mom’s Day. She’d missed her coworkers so much and they’d missed her, too. She also needed to hang pictures in her office and put her own personal touches on it. She’s got taste none of us around there can really emulate. An interior design major turned Bible exegete creates a curious mix. Amanda worked in the office several days this week while Lis was here so it was a particularly wonderful atmosphere around the ministry for me. Colin flew in, then, late Thursday night and hadn’t been home since they’d moved to Atlanta. He is so darling. We all enjoyed having him like crazy.
Since Melissa and Colin had to leave pretty early today, we had our Mother’s Day celebration yesterday. Curtis graciously babysat our little guy while Amanda, Melissa and I did our Mother-Daughter thing at the greatest mall in Texas: The Houston Galleria. We were there when it opened. My idea of a good time is to give my girls a tad of shopping money and tell them they only have that one spree to spend it. The offer ends in four hours. With great glee, then, I watch them go into a frenzy to try to spend it. They balked at first because it was Mother’s Day but 1) they’d already spent plenty on me and 2) that’s what I wanted for my gift anyway. As young adult daughters often are, both of them are on a tighter budget than me so it’s such a blast to watch them get something they wouldn’t afford for themselves. We all three tried on one thing after another in three consecutive dressing rooms and sometimes Lis and I just shared one so we could see each other’s outfits. (Amanda’s more modest than we are but we always try to peek at her to make her mad.) We laughed like crazy and talked about everybody we had anything nice to say about and tried to bite our tongues over anyone we didn’t. Sometimes more successfully than others. JK. We behave pretty well. As long as nobody’s been ugly to one of my girls at which point I can seem suddenly overtaken by invisible powers and principalities.
We ate at Kona Grill there at the Galleria for lunch and it was really good. The hostess at the restaurant was a sister in Christ we’d never met and we really hugged. She was just adorable. Tiny little thing. Me and both girls all had on heels so we looked like the Jolly Green Giant’s twin sister and two daughters. We’d have loved for her to have sat down with us but I think she thought she might have needed a high chair. We piled our shopping bags in the booth, sat down with joyful sighs and ordered Sushi for appetizers. AJ’s liked it for a while but I’m just beginning to develop a taste for it. My buddy and one of my God-daughters, Amy Hodge, has been teaching me to eat it and even with chopsticks. I let her order for me because she knows some safe stuff I like. If I’m not with her I just order California Rolls unless they have deep-fried sushi on the menu because I know I like that. Whatever kind I get, I drown the first one in soy sauce and enough wasabi to make me cry then as soon as the waiter gives me CPR, I eat another one. Really fun. Melissa was so proud of me for trying something new. She said, “Right about now, Mom, I’m picturing you on the Texas Cyclone (the terrifying, rickety roller coaster at the old Texas icon, Astroworld), with your hands straight up in the air, practically free falling down the steepest part, screaming happily like me and Dad instead of riding The Serpent with all the five year olds.” I looked at her dryly and said, “It’s just Sushi. I’m not even sure I like it.” I hate roller coasters. I liked the Serpent. The one at Astroworld anyway. Not the one in the Garden. Nor the one in my business. After loading up the car and making one last stop at Anthropologie (and me griping about the price-tags), we headed home because we had lots of preparation to do.
The girls and I threw a Mexican Fiesta at my house for Mother’s Day Eve with Keith’s parents, our dear forever friends, Johnnie and David Haines (we raised our kids together), both sons-in-law and, of course, the Master of Ceremonies, the Little Mister. We ordered fajitas from a really terrific place by Curtis and Amanda’s then made all the fixings around it. Melissa made the best queso from scratch that you have ever tasted in your life. I’ve never seen so many things go into queso. Whatever happened to Velveeta and Rotel, for crying out loud?? She also made guacamole from scratch with an equal number of ingredients. I never saw so much chopping in my life. I just cleaned up behind her. Didn’t know what else to do. Amanda made a sopapilla cheese cake that was honestly one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted. She left it at my house last night late and, after I ate nearly half of it, explained that she didn’t take it home because “you would not believe all the fat that went into that thing!” She said, “I knew I didn’t want it at my house!” Thank you, Amanda.
We had the best time, laughing and talking, and playing with Mr. Center of Attention. Lis and Colin had gotten him a ton of toys. One of them was a big bubble maker. By the time the evening was over, we all needed a “Slippery When Wet” sign hung around our necks. We were all suds but no duds. (I’m proofreading this now and realizing that I might need to explain that by “duds” I don’t mean clothes. I mean party poopers.) Everybody got into the action. It was only about 95 degrees in the shade. Houston is just perfect for eating outside if you can avoid encephalitis from twenty-five mosquito bites per leg. It was a terrific evening. Really.
I love the fact that our blog is for anybody who will give us the privilege to serve her, whether single, married, divorced, or widowed. I try not to overdo the wife and mother thing because our single siestas bring something so important to this mix but on this day everybody understands. So with your permission, I just want to say that I love being a mother. I’ve never had a harder job but I have never done anything in the human realm that gave me more sustained joy. My parenting days won’t be over until my days are completely over but here are a few things I’ve learned along the way – and many of them from making mistakes and getting to try again:
*Kids are pretty danged resilient. Ours survived some rough times but knew their struggling parents – fighting so hard for wholeness – loved them like crazy (and sometimes just loved them crazy) and were steadily trying to get healthier and healthier. When Keith and I each came to conclusions that we were messed up enough to mess them up, we went to counseling. The girls knew it and respected it.
*They don’t expect their parents to be perfect but they sure as heck expect them to be real. They despise hypocrisy and disrespect what is disrespectful even if they’re too scared to say so. They respond well to genuine apologies and, in fact, don’t learn to extend them otherwise.
*They need lots and lots of hugs and kisses even if they act like they don’t. They need to be told “I love you so much” over and over even if they don’t seem to be listening. They are. Don’t just give in to a sullen child and become sullen with him/her. Some kids have everything to lose if you let them win. Keep fighting for a relationship and try to take interest in their interests and sooner or later, they’ll cave in and smile. I respect few parents on earth more than Dr. James McDonald (pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in the Chicago area) and his wife, Kathy. When one of his kids became a teenager, he felt an unfamiliar distance grow between them. He became so worried when it persisted that he told his church he was going to need to take some time off and wasn’t sure how long. With Kathy’s blessing, he told the teenager to pack a bag and get in the car with him. He drove out of the driveway, and took off on a road trip, explaining to the child that they’d return when their relationship was mended. Needless to say, after some very awkward hours, they ended up talking, crying, laughing, and making memories that they’ll have for a lifetime. Now, that’s some fine parenting.
*They need to laugh a ton with their parents and be silly. There need to be lots of private jokes that only family understands. When both girls married, those were the things they recalled to their daddy and me most.
*They need to know that God is not just the Boss. He’s the biggest blast in all of life. They love to learn the wonders of God in creation. Things like how He made a bumble bee to fly even though it’s aerodynamically impossible and how animals exist in Africa and Asia that we’ve never even seen in a zoo. They long to be taught simple pleasures that cost nothing more than a moment of time away from the TV, computer or cell phone – like marveling at a sunset or applauding God over a sunrise and clipping roses from a bush and putting them in a vase. Or watching roly-polies. Digging up earthworms. Fishing for a perch. Beholding a lady bug on a tree trunk. That all of these things are wonders of God and that He’s worth jumping up and down over.
*They need to know the beauty of Christ when they’ve done something wrong and feel guilty. They need to know that they have a destiny; that Christ planned their lives for this exact time in history and has given them gifts to discover and develop as they grow up. That they are important because He’s so important. That nothing so bad can happen to them that He can’t use for good. That Mommy and Daddy can’t make them Christians. They have to accept His free gift of grace and invite Him into their hearts. That we think nothing is worthier of celebration than that and we’ll risk throwing out backs out to do cartwheels when they let Christ do something wonderful in their lives.
*They need their parents to follow through. To say “no” when “no” needs to be said. They need their parents to be parents at the risk of being very unpopular. They need parents to intervene in an unhealthy relationship with the opposite sex. They need not to be given so many material things (even if we can afford it) that they grow into discontented, narcissistic adults. Nothing is less pleasant than a thirty year-old brat.
*And when they become parents, they don’t need their parents to turn their noses up at them and act all pious like they never lost patience with their kids. They know better anyway. They don’t need parents to forget how hard having preschoolers was and tell them, “These are the best years of your life!” No, these are the most exhausting years of your life. Wonderful! But exhausting! They need us to maybe chip in and pay for them to get their houses cleaned from top to bottom every now and then rather acting like we wish they were better housekeepers.
*Their friendships with their siblings need to be high priority. This one I blew so I share it with you as a regret. I regret allowing them to bring friends along so often on family outings. Yes, they begged but I wish I’d more often said “no.” Yes, they’d have pouted. But they also would have gotten over it and turned to each other. We always had their friends around and I think it may have kept my girls from making good friends of each other for a very long time. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I think it’s also really weird when parents severely restrict the home to family and don’t encourage their kids to make friends and get involved at school. Me? I think they’re hiding something. There’s something really freaky and cultish about sequestered homes. (NOT in your wildest dreams talking about home-schoolers! I’m talking about homes where virtually no one but the family members who live there are allowed. I think that’s weird but what do I know??) At the very least, kids don’t end up developing social skills and, instead, become really bizarre adults that can’t get a normal job. Sorry. My point is, I think there should be a pretty steady dose of activity just for family so kids have to play with each other instead of ganging up on each other with their peers. I believe in having a revolving door to my children’s friends and having tons of spend-overs but I am convinced that I allowed it so often that my kids made better friends than each other. Our best memories are from family vacations where Amanda and Melissa were all they had. Joyfully, they are best of friends today but it’s because, when they moved to different cities, they learned that nobody is like your sister. Take it from me. I have one sister that I never lay eyes on. Don’t even know for certain where she is. Doesn’t sober up enough to have a conversation. Let alone a relationship. I miss her so much. We were inseparable growing up. You feel incomplete when you’re out of sorts with a sibling. They’re too much a part of who you are. No one should be a better friend than your sister.
*God gives lots of grace to parents. Good thing, huh? Let me offer you some encouragement based not only on my experience but that of many other people I’ve known. If you give a rip and try a flip, this whole parenting thing often turns out so much better than you thought it would. Sometimes you can’t even believe that’s you your kids are talking about. You realize they forgot some things. And now you need to, too. Praise You, Lord, for parenting mercies.
Amanda and Melissa, you are the greatest daughters God ever could have given me. So witty. So funny. So loving. You make me think. You make me laugh my head off. You make me spend. And you make me pray. Boy, do you make me pray. Amanda, Happy Mother’s Day yourself. Oh, my word, you are a fabulous mom. Melissa, Amanda and I can only imagine the fun mom you will be one day. What a blessed child that will be. Never a dull moment.
Oh, wow, Siestas. I went on longer than I meant to. So, instead of closing, I’ll go on a minute longer. I thought if you wouldn’t mind humoring me, Mother’s Day might be a sweet day to share a poem God gave me many years ago when I was sitting in a hotel room in a city where I was speaking. It was a rare occasion when I left on a Thursday instead of a Friday and I was miserable thinking about how my children would have to get ready for school without me. I was so homesick I could hardly stand it. I’ve read it here and there along the way so you may have heard it before but it’s dear to me, especially today, so handle it. It’s the only poem I ever memorized. No, it’s not a sacred one…unless you think parenting is sacred. And I do.
It happened just exactly like this:
I called to check on home last night
To see if all was going right
My man assured me all was well
And it was true…I could tell.
I felt so far away from home
So by myself, so all alone
No noise here, no bouncing balls
No fussing kids, no endless calls.
I asked if everything was set
I didn’t want him to forget
To take care of the “mother things”
To hang their shirts and crease their jeans.
He said, “Your oldest set her clock
She’ll get us up right on the dot
Don’t worry now, they’ll get to school
We love you much, we’ll see you soon!”
The phone went dead. I wasn’t through…
I barely said, “I love you, too.”
I sat and stared down at the floor
“She’s never set her clock before.”
She’s just a kid, not old enough
To wake without a mother’s touch
What chance is there at school they’ll say,
“You’re one great kid! You’re loved today!”
Kids need to hear those words first thing
Before a careless clock can ring
And furthermore, they like, I frowned,
Hot cocoa when they first come down!
“Dads,” I thought, and fell in bed
Then after while to myself said,
“He’s probably right, give them a break
She is fifteen, for heaven’s sake.”
“Fifteen,” I sighed, “Where has it gone?
Since that first day before the dawn
When she and I told secrets dear
And her first bath was in my tears?”
I’d held her close with just one arm
Reached for the phone to call my mom
“Oh, Mom,” I sobbed, “I love her so!”
She cried as well and said, “I know.”
The years are mean…they rush on by
The kite string slips into the sky
She’s nearly grown, yes, plenty old
To wake up when the clock says so.
I felt so sudden like a fool
It won’t take Mom to get to school
How silly…they will all be fine
Just go to sleep and rest your mind!
I tried to let the dawn go by
Without a call to check and pry
To see how everyone had fared
Got your lunch? Homework prepared?
I finally grabbed the phone and dialed
It seemed to ring a country mile
My heart sunk swift…they must be gone
Dad’s out the door…dog’s on the lawn.
I started to hang up the phone
Until I heard a voice on
The other end as up he leapt
“For heaven’s sake, we’ve overslept!”
Suddenly the house lit up
He threw the phone, said, “Kids, get up!”
I heard each voice at a time
They were mad, but they were mine!
I cheered them on from miles away
I heard them readied for their day
And just before they slammed the door
She yelled, “Thanks, Mom!”
That’s what I’m for.
Tags: Parenting
Thanks for sharing all the details. I can’t wait until my girls are grown and we can have those fabulous times together. For now. . I love the breakfast in bed that daddy hands them to bring in, I love the bath and body works gift sets they pick out, and my favorite is the homemade cards. OH, how I praise God for making me a mother. It is the hardest, yet most incredible thing I have ever experienced in my life. Thanks for sharing the poem, Beth, what a treasured memory. . and yes, I agree that’s all the things that mothers are meant to be and MORE!!
This was such a blessing. Thank you for sharing your family so generously with us. I love you and trust this was one of your greatest Mother’s Days ever. Sonja
I so appreciated your post Miss Beth. It was a new kind of mother’s day for me this year. This is my 21st mother’s day, but thanks to a single mom friend(who has also adopted a daughter from China), it was my first with the right attitude. My dear friend wrote a post to our travel group last year about being thankful on Mother’s Day to be a mom. She talked about always disappointing her mom on mother’s day and the holiday being dreadful every year. I am ashamed to say it, but I was that kind of mom. Her sweet post completely changed my focus on mother’s day. Sometimes God just flips a switch in us, and He did that for me in this matter. Mother’s Day now is a special day to be especially thankful for the priviledge of being a mom to my 5 wonderful children. It is not about ME at all…but a time to pause and reflect on how blessed I am. So, this mother’s day was just precious. Not a conflict the whole day. A sweet fun laughter filled day, with all 5 of the kids with us while we spent the afternoon at my mother in laws.(I agree most passionately with the things you have learned. Our kids are so forgiving. I confessed my wrong attitude last year about mother’s day, and then shared with them my gratitude this year. It completely changed everything. Thank you for always being such an encouragement. Last thing, I’ve gone on and on too, but I am so excited to be making plans to attend the Siesta Fiesta in August. It’s my birthday present from my hubby and my best friend from High School is coming too! Can’t wait!!!)
I’m so glad both your girls were able to be with you on Mom’s Day. You are too precious to give them a shopping spree! You girls seem like such fun!
I took my mom for sushi a couple months ago and it was a pretty funny site watching her try to use the chop stiks then cram the piece into her mouth…way to be brave Beth!
Thanks so much for this…
I’m 28 yrs old and I have 2 girls (one is 2 & the other 6 months).
I look forward to shopping together or better yet, Starbucks, and have fun girl talks. I’m determined they/we will be best friends!
What a great post. Thanks for all the parenting tips. As a mother of two (12 and 9 years old) and trying to figure out how to parent my soon-to-be-teenager, your post couldn’t have been more timely in my life. I cried reading all your heart felt advice.
Much love to you over there in Texas! God bless you.
Jean
Happy Mother’s Day Beth… thank you for sharing your sweet stories with all of us siestas.
I think you are right… we have two sons who are close in age … they are now almost 37 and 34 and we always let them bring friends on vacation and I think that it hampered their ability to be best friends. They are working their way back to one another… slowly.
As a Mom you know that the relationships within the family are the ones that run so deep. I am sure that you all had a wonderful weekend and have lots of new memories.
We spent the day lounging by our daughter’s pool… the hubbies cooked brunch for us and we jst laughed and played with the two little guys all day long… perfect day!
Wow. What a great post! I have read that poem before, but it still brings tears! You know a true mother’s heart, Beth. It makes me wish even more that I could meet you in San Antonio. My parenting years are flying by so fast, but I hope to be the kind of mom you described. My mom helps me get my house cleaned and she treats my younger sister and me to lots of shopping days also! I do enjoy it but hearing you say how much you enjoy it helps me understand where my mom is coming from too. Thank You Lord, for moms like that! Happy Mother’s Day to all siestas!
Kristen
Between you & Amanda, and my two precious daughters (and the awesome sermon we had today), someone wants to make sure I cry today!! I’m glad y’all had a great mother’s day weekend. Thank you for sharing with us. I loved the poem, and I can totally relate, as my daughters are 15 and 12. I wish you a happy mother’s day too! Agape ~ Cathy
Thank you so much for the tips, Beth! I needed them today.
The poem was so cute! I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Love, Darlene
Loved every word of this. Thanks for sharing y’alls weekend and thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Happy Mothers Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Beth!
I feel truly blessed to still have my mother…she will be 87 in August! And now, my 2 daughters are grown and have children of their own. Both of them are very busy with their lives so we do not get to spend alot of time together, even though they only live 10 minutes and 15 mintues from me. But just knowing that they are close by is great! And being the grandmommie that I am, I help with the kids whenever needed, which is always a treat! I’m blessed indeed!
Happy Mother’s Day Beth, Amanda and all the Siesta’s
What an awesome post! Thank you for sharing your heart and being real! Your wisdom is always such a blessing! I am so grateful!
I love you all! Emmy : )
Blessings to you today, too, Beth.
Blessings & Happy Mothers Day! I absolutely love being a mom! I fall short at times, but just like you said “God gives lots of grace to parents.” My three daughters are truly a precious blessing. My life would not be complete without them.
Amy is in her 2nd year of college & Hillary graduates next Sunday from High School. Caitlyn our baby will start High School next fall and will start learning to drive. Wow! Time truly flies by so fast. God has been so faithful and truly blessed us beyond measure. I Love Him with all my heart! Again Happy Mothers Day to you all! I just love reading how much fun you girls have! Thanks Beth for sharing your special moments with us!
Siblings! They never stop treating each other like little kids! Both my children are grown and moved away; the daughter married and the son a senior at Texas State. Not home for the first time on Mother’s Day. But I got a very early call from the married daughter. “Mom! Happy Mother’s Day! And remember: I called first!!” When I repeated this to the son when he called, I could just see the wheels turning. He’ll probably call at 12:01 a.m. next year on Mother’s Day to beat his sister! They move away, they grow up…but they can still act like my CHILDREN! And I love them. And miss them. And know that they have their feet on God’s path. Godspeed to them both.
Thank you Beth!
This post made me want to cry. In a good way. 🙂
Susan
Beth,
Thanks for your transparency and willingness to share your lives with us. I am always so encouraged that your dailiness is much like mine and that you honor God so beautifully in the process. Happy Mother’s Day!
It was such a delight to meet you in CO Springs last week. A special birthday gift from God. Much Grace and Peace this week.
Kathleen
Wonderful, wonderful post! Thank you so much for that today!
GCMOM
My daughter’s a busy mom but not too busy to read this post! She and I celebrated Mothers Day last weekend in our Colorado Springs motel room by exchanging Mothers Day stockings (king-size pillow cases)…an annual tradition. It happened in between sessions of your Living Proof Live event. I’m always interested in reading about how others celebrate / honor our mothers. Since my first husband died and I have remarried, I’ve been blessed with FOUR mothers in this life.
Sweet Beth, this is my very first mother’s day and your post (particularly the poem) brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so very much for sharing your heart and your wisdom with your siestas. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than parenting wisdom from you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Well said. I love the story about James MacDonald!
I want to thank you on behalf of the other ones out there, who didn’t have a sister–for sharing how special it really is! Also, I was blessed so often to go along on others’ vacations. It was such a blessing to me to see how a family, who loves Christ, behaves. Not perfect families, but ones who strive to follow Jesus. What an impact those trips were on this lost one!
Now I’m off to have some more fun with my family–they are playing Dance Dance Revolution 🙂 I may just have to dance with them!
With love to you, Beth!
Happy Mother’s Day, sweet One!
holly
Happy Mother’s Day, Miss Beth! I’m bringing my daughter and my “pseudo” daughter (our youth pastor’s daughter) to Boise this Friday, to spend a girls’ weekend with you! It’s a great Mother’s Day gift for me.
Beverly in OR
Thank you so much for the sweet, inspiring post. I am so grateful that God allowed me to be the mom to my two girls. What a privilege and a blessing! Even when it’s tough.
And I said a prayer today for my sweet Siestas (Beth and Amanda by name!) who share this journey of motherhood and for all the Siestas who like me find it a bittersweet day because we miss our own moms who have passed -again, Beth by name and the others as a group knowing our gracious God knows each sweet one!
T.G. – Please keep us posted on that precious gift and on your husband’s whereabouts during the big event! Blessings on you, sweet girl!
Love to all – Cindy
Happy Mother’s Day to you and Amanda!!! =)
Okay so I have to tell you this…last year for Mother’s Day I had just hit the lowest point of my pit. Where I basically sat there and whined and boohoed b/c everyone else but me was married and had kids. And the fact that our pastor got up there and mentioned just how “terrible mother’s day is for women who are single and want to be mother’s but can’t be because the right guy hasn’t come along…” Let’s just say, that pushed me even lower. And It was not pretty. I basically spent the whole day crying my eyes out and saying that “God doesn’t care about me, blah blah blah.”
And now…thanks to your wonderful and amazing teachings, books,etc and what God has done through them I am SO OUT of that pit. I as sitting here earlier today going “This is so not me.” I don’t know what amazes me more…that God pulls us out of the pit, or that He does everything in His power to keep us from going back in it.
Thank you so much for your teachings. You have no idea how much you’ve helped me and are still helping me. 🙂 And yes, I’m still single, but today, instead of having a pity party, I had the most amazing day with my mom and her friends.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Amanda, and all of my Siestas!
I can relate to the sushi story.
My daughter loves it and took me to eat it not too long ago. I used chopsticks (that’s all they gave me) and it was quite funny.
I’d rather have a fork and just cut them in half or at least a little smaller, but she assures me that’s not the way to eat them.
Beth, I’m so happy that you and your family are so blessed and that you are enjoying time with each of them.
God blessed me with a son and a daughter (19 mo. apart). They are 27 & 25 and are very close. Being a mom is my greatest accomplishment.
Today in church I (who does not like attention drawn to me & am pretty shy) felt led to stand at celebration time and thank God that my dad, mom, husband, mother-in-law, my two kids, my son-in-law and his parents were all in church with me. I call that being blessed. I had a wonderful Mother’s Day as well.
Love you!!
Valerie
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to you and AJ!!!
Love You All!
Amanda in SC
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mama Beth! And you too, Amanda! I had a great mother’s day! 🙂 In fact, my daughter threw a fit last night because she wanted to give me my gift then and I wanted to wait until today! Haha! Yes, she just started throwing these 4 year old fits and I’m just about sick of them and sick of the whole parenting thing. So your post was much needed encouragement. And your poem truly made me realize how fast the time flies by. Her first bath is in my tears. It seems just like yesterday that I was so nervous to put her in the car and drive home, scared of the insane wreckless drivers, and scared to do this parenting thing on my own. But here I am. And she is healthy, beautiful and well behaved (*for the most part). Thank you for encouraging me. I love you all!
Wow Thank you Beth and Happy Mothers Day to you all!
What a wonderful post. I had none of those things with my mom but I make sure my boys have it in truck loads. We have our secret codes, laugh alot, we say I love you all the time, there are plenty of hugs and kisses to go around.
Although my 13 year old does not like mom to say I love you anymore when dropped off at school(but I do it anyway just to let him know how much I love him so)well and to get that “I cant believe you said that” look on his face especially if there is a girl around.
They are both wonderful kids and I cant imagine my life without them. They are the most wonderful gift from God and I cherish them so.
Great post–Happy Mother’s Day! My kids are about the same age as yours and we all had a lovely day. My daughter and husband who live across the country got to be here for a rare Mother’s day all together–the best kind of day I could hope for.
Dearest Beth,
Thank you for the beautiful post and tribute to motherhood in all its glorious cahllenges and triumphs. Today in the Catholic church we also celebrated the Descent of the Holy Spirit – PENTECOST! How perfect – every mother needs the manifold fruit of the Spirit!. May the Holy Spirit – Giver of Life – bless you and your girls (and your men!)most richly – much love,
Sister Lynn
What a delightful post . . . perfect end to a perfect Mother’s Day – and did not the Father bless we Houston girls with the low humidity, breeze, and cooler weather today!
Thank you Beth! Happy Mother’s Day Siestas . . .
Beautiful!
Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the encouraging words.
Katy
Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the encouraging words.
Katy
Wow, thank you so much for those encouraging words. Today has been a wide range of emotions. Our 21 year old son is in Iraq. (He called early this morning) :o) Our 24 year old daughter came by this afternoon for a quick hello. I am a very young mother of two wonderful adult children who were raised in a Godly home, yet so hard to watch them “search” for something more than the Lord can give. Mother’s Day meant so much more when we were a close family. I miss my children. Encouraged by all of the posts. Thanks for sharing your hearts. Thank you Beth for giving us wonderful words to grow by.
Thanks a million, sweet Beth! I love reading how you spent your day…and I love the poem! I’m sniffling as I write this. Happy Mother’s Day to you, and all my sweet Siestas! God love you, and bless you all, and may His face shine upon you!
Jen Goodwin
It sounds like you and your girls had a BLAST! Im so happy for you! Happy Mothers day Beth! I love it when you post cause its always just what i need to hear and i nkow its a gift from God! i cant wait to be a mom someday! Happy mothers day to all of you(the beth,amanda, and all you sisters on the blog!! i love you all!)
Oh I loved every second of this post and am going to have to save this one. My baby is almost three. Remember I am the one at the Patriarchs who lost my first child. Anyway, I was just looking over her a few minutes ago thinking and wishing that time could stand still for just a while. I can’t believe she is growing up on me so fast. As I was running in the yard like mad today trying to help her fly her kite (I felt like an idiot but it was fun) I wondered if she would even remember these days. We laughed our heads off as she screamed Go Mommy Go!!
Thank you for this sweet post and for being a mother in the faith to myself. I rise and call you blessed!
Love Jenny Williams, AL
AMAZING!
Happy Mother’s day to all my Siesta’s! For those awaiting your turn – God has a plan. For those whose arms were full but now find them empty – God knows. For those filled with Grandbabies – Thank you!
To the Moore’s – thank you for opening your hearts to us and letting us see the “real” you!! You are amazing women and if I never squeeze your necks this side of heaven, know that a Siesta from NC will be one in line to do just that!! And think, Jesus will too!! YAHOOO-JAH!
Love to all.
Val
NC
I so enjoyed this blog. I get bogged down in parenting and my kiddos were especially *charming* today. So I appreciate your candidness and encouragement!
Happy Momma’s Day Beth and Amanda.
It is great to hear updates about you Melissa!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of those wonderful Mommas out there!! I am not a mother, but in the Lord’s providence I would love to have 4 or 5 calling me Mom one day! I can “second” the importance of spending time with siblings. I grew up with my mom telling me that sisters will last a lifetime,and we need to invest in each other always. I now consider my four sisters the best friendships I have! Thank you for sharing!!
A Super Happy Mother’s Day to Mama Beth and to Mama Amanda – as well as all you mothers in blog land!!!DQ Nana
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beth,
It was so great to hear from you on Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to you and Amanda!! Thanks for sharing your life with us.
I also spent yesterday at the mall with my two daughters (ages 10 and 4). But I can’t imagine having done that in heels – my feet hurt badly enough after wearing sandals. I hope my girls will have a wonderful sister relationship even though there is a 6 year difference in ages. I remember during my second pregnancy saying I wanted to have another girl “because every girl deserves a sister”. How true that is!! My sister and I live in different states so we don’t get to see each other often. Beth, know that I will be praying for your sister.
Thank you also for the parenting tips – how I needed those. As the “pastor’s wife” I tend to want my children to be to perfect -I think I need to just have more FUN with them.
Happy Mother’s Day
Donna in Alabama
Thank you for allowing us to see into your wonderful time with your family! You brightened my day with the words you said..again thank you!
delilah
Happy Mother’s Day to you! I thank God for you, Beth. The wisdom and encouragement you have blessed my life with is HUGE. Having not grown up in a Christian home you have been my ‘spiritual’ mother over the years. I am a better wife and mother because of you. What an honor it is to send you my love and thanks on this special day.
Blessings,
Kim in Katy
As always, thank-you for your ministry to us, Beth. I realize how much you sacrifice to do what God has called you to.
I am sometimes on the road with my job, so your poem, hit a few soft spots. I have two daughters. My oldest, only 19 will be married in 13 days. My youngest is 10. I’m the mom, it’s my job to do all those things. It wasn’t till my oldest was well into high school that she didn’t have her mom wake her up for school. And though the youngest is more than able to pick out her own clothes and get dressed in the morning…it just doesn’t feel “right” to give that time up with her. And though brushing her hair usually produces way too many tears because of all the “rats”, at least I’m sitting behind her saying, “I’m sorry sweetie”.
I’m wondering how many tissues will fit into my fancy little purple velvet purse at the wedding. I’m thinking…not enough.
It is an uspeakable honor and blessing that God gave me, when He made me their mom.
Happy Mother’s Day Beth and the Siesta’s!
Melana in Wyoming
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for this – I SO needed it! I praise Him for the gift of you Beth Moore! You are a blast and allow Him to use you in such amazing ways – thank you for being His servant! Sunshine
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY ALL MY BLOG SISTERS!
Beth I love the poem. Sounds like my house every morning when the kids all four have to be out the door by 6:30 .
I had Taco bell the other night if that counts as mexican.
I was so blessed my Husband went to the store as my Daughters request and fixed me waffles for breakfast and gave me a picture frame and big ballon, I got a stuffed husky dog from my ten year old son the balloon and boston baked beans were from my daughter and my seven year old gave me a homemade card that said and I quote :
Happy Mother’s Day with a picture and I like my Mother.
Happy Mother’s Day Beth and Amanda!
Awesome to be able to spend a few day with all of your children. Yes Melissa will be an awesome Mother like you too.
Love to you all
your sister in christ
Susan M. LA.