Sunday, May 11, 2014

Mother's Day--All about "ME" or Not


It’s Mother’s Day 2014 and I am in a very different place than I was even a year ago but a much different place than I was several years ago. For the first time in years I was excited about Mother’s Day again. However, I have always had the misconception that Mother’s Day was to be set aside to honor “me” once I became a mom. In so much that I thought like others that I would have a day of no work. Someone would do all the things that I normally do to make the universe operate and I would get the day “off duty”. Well, I got a dose of reality today and finally learned my lesson that Mother’s Day really isn’t the all about “me” show.
Don’t get me wrong, my children did honor me in their own way as best as a 5 and 8 year old can without assistance from adults. I awoke very early to my oldest ushering me downstairs to breakfast. She served me fresh cut, washed, and sugar added strawberries with a bowl of Special K and a cup of milk. It was precious and delicious. I was quite impressed with her skills and delivery. Then I was met with the gifts that each girl had made at school with the help of their teachers. They were sweet and funny. Kaitlyn’s card was accompanied with bath salt so I could take a relaxing soak. Kyleigh’s card was an interview about mommy where she described me as an eight year old that likes the color pink and weighs 55 pounds. J
I had posted earlier on Facebook that I only wanted peace in my home for Mother’s Day. That came crashing down about 5 minutes post breakfast when my children stayed true to their little personalities and started the sibling arguments right away. So, the idea of taking off the “mommy cape” for the day just doesn’t work when there is no one around to jump in and referee for you. So of course, I was on duty. I was reminding them to “treat others the way you want to be treated” and “make wise choices” while all at the same time cleaning up the Mother’s Day breakfast dishes and mess created from cutting up the lovely strawberries.
We made it to church and I really enjoyed the message today on worship and centering your mind on worship. For weeks now I have had to really focus on calming the brute beast (Psm 73:22) in me when I get angry as the kids are in the midst of a tantrum or meltdown. It is so easy for me to get caught up in trying to fix it for them or stop their behavior that I get upset too. Instead, I am trying to learn to just let the Holy Spirit guide me to remain calm, remove myself from the situation, and regain my composure. I am much more effective and a better mommy when I am a “beauty” and not a “beast” as shared by our lovely Pastor’s wife this morning.
After church the girls and I headed to spend the afternoon with my mom. We had a great lunch. My mom had pre-fixed most of the meal so all that was necessary was to warm it up today. That’s when I also realized, “hey she didn’t get the day off duty either”. I mean my dad did help her in the kitchen because he always does as he is a great man but she still had to cook. Then she and I cleaned up after the meal was over. So a mother, no matter who they are or which stage of life, ever really gets to go totally “off duty”.  We spent some time outside blowing bubbles and giggling and just having fun. Some of us even caught a small nap, but I won’t mention any names.
The girls and I headed home and then we finished up Kaitlyn’s homework. That is work for me too! She has to have me sit with her one-on-one and sometimes it can be brutal. By this point I had truly let go of my thoughts on today being all about “me”. This day was about my children, family time, and memories. But isn’t that what every day of the year is about. So I am going to try not to get caught up in the fact that today didn’t meet the expectations of a dream world Mother’s Day where I was doted on all day long for the endless things I do to keep the universe in order for my family. Instead, I am going to be grateful for the blessings in my life, for my family, friends, church, and my amazing children.

To Kaitlyn,

I love you because you are kind and sensitive and your strong spirit will serve you well one day. My prayer for you is that you find the confidence in yourself to stand strong and be courageous. You are clothed in strength and dignity and you laugh without fear of the future because you are strong. Prov 31:25

To Kyleigh,

            I love you because you are my miracle child. You are my fighter and this spirit and will to press onward will serve you well one day. My prayer for you is that you find a way to show your softer side to others. You seek out ways to be kind and loving to the world. For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor 13:7

To all Mothers,

            Happy Mother’s Day!
Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from God

                                                                                                            Crystal 
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