Really?

I was cleaning out "THE Drawer" yesterday. You know, the one desk drawer where everyone stashes everything. The one where they say, "I'll put it here for now," knowing full well it'll never get where it truly belongs until Mom deals with it.

While putting all these things where they actually belong (mainly the trash can!), I came across a Mother's Day project that Rachel had made during her time in the public school. There is no date on it, but judging by the handwriting, it appears to have been from when she was nine or ten years old.

It's a small booklet with questions about mom that she either filled in the blanks or circled an answer for. Questions like:
I really like it when my mom ____________. She likes it when I __________.
Rachel answered "talks about the Lord" and "behave," respectively.
Pretty cool answers, I think.

On another page Rachel listed some ways that she and I are similar:
1. Glasses (we both wear glasses. Well, she's supposed to, and I'm blind if I don't)
2. Braces (I had them as a teen, she has them now)
3. Love Daddy. (altogether now, "Awwww!")

Next she was to provide an animal that most is like her mother.
Her response: a frog.

Frog? Bug-eyed and slimy? Really?

There is a page at the end titled, "Describing Mom". The directions state that the child is to circle six words from the extensive list that describe their mother. Rachel circled only two: outgoing and tired. Really?

She skipped right over loving, kind, smart, caring and happy? Okay. I am outgoing, but tired?

Really?

My Mom

Mother's Day was a little while ago, so I figure a post about my mom is in order.

Mom has a gift for art. She'll tell you she works hard at it (and I know she does!), but if I worked twice as hard, I still couldn't produce one sixteenth of the amazing art she has created.

Mom has made art her full time job over the last five years and my kids are loving having her expertise and teaching available to them. We need no fine arts curriculum here; we just visit for an afternoon with Meme!

You can check out her many works at her website or at one of the art shows she'll be attending.

The Day Before Mother's Day

Because Sam has to work at the firehouse tomorrow, we are doing Mother's Day today. At this very moment eggs, bacon, and hash browns are being cooked by my husband while the two older girls take care of the animals and the two younger girls get dressed in their "pretty dresses" for the Mother's Day Brunch at church today. I eat well on Mother's Day!

Wait, you say, that is only 4 girls! No, I didn't kill any of them last night while they slept. Nathalie spent the night at a friends house but will be home before 9AM.

While the girls and I are at the brunch, Sam will be volunteering his time at a golf tournament fundraiser which benefits the family of a good friend of his who died of cancer. Sam and Jeff were very good friends who worked together for nearly 5 years. Jeff's story is here: http://www.waterburyfirefighterscalendar.com/jefftrota.html

When Sam gets home the girls want us all to go out for dinner. Nathalie and Abby have saved up over $50 for this. I don't think they realized that dinner reservations for a Saturday before Mother's Day should have been made weeks ago, especially for a group of seven people. We'll see what we can do... I love the thought behind it, even if we just buy some extra ice cream at the store and eat sundaes at home.

I told you... I eat well on Mother's Day!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is coming and I found this sweet little tidbit at: http://www.my-tgif.com/oneflaw.htm

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, if there is one flaw in women. . .

it is that they forget their true worth.

~Author Unknown ~