Continuing to learn this role called Mother

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to my many friends who are Mothers and to everyone who ever had a Mom.   I had a sweet Mother’s Day with 2 of my daughters enjoying a dinner created by my oldest daughter and enjoyed in her home.  I missed seeing my own mother and our middle daughter and grandson on Mother’s Day, but I am thankful for cards that were sent and received, voices that were heard over phones and hearts that were shared.  If I had my way, the ones I love – my family, would   live close by allowing us to enjoy times together often with ease.

Even though my daughters are grown and are out of our home – I am still learning my role as a Mother.   I am continuing to learn this role of mothering grown daughters and taking a lesser position in their lives.  My daughters have grown up into very capable, mature young women who have outgrown their need of a daily dose of Mom.  Lately I have been “complaining” to my husband that they actually believed us when we taught them that the Lord could take them anywhere and use them in His Kingdom work – my complaint is that they actually believed us and are living in just that manner.  There are passing moments when I wish they still needed me like they use to.

Our goal as parents was never to raise our daughters to be dependent upon us.  I am very proud of their many accomplishments in academics, marriages, careers, and most importantly in their response to God’s call in their lives.   But I must admit that I have been taken back a bit, that I still have to learn my role as a Mother to my grown daughters.  It has served to remind me that God always has me in a place of learning to trust Him with what is next – faith walking with Him throughout each day.

I have often said on this blog that Mothering is a bittersweet role – we raise our children to leave us.  And my children have left and as much as I am sad that my active mothering days are over, I have so very much to be  thankful for.

Recently I gave the closing MOPS devotions for this year and I reminded the Moms (and myself)  of these truths…

LIVE IN THE MOMENT…

• Give yourself and your kids time to just be … every moment of every day does not have to accomplish a goal
• Enjoy each stage

 YOU ARE SO LOVED BY YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER …

• Just as your kids cannot do anything to make you love them more, you cannot do anything to make God love you more
• Understanding this has helped me love others, especially my husband more.

 GIVE YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE GRACE…

• Your husband, your kids are just like you – human, full of themselves, struggling with life’s issues.  Be kind and gracious –

and finally – the words that I am known for in MOPS…

YOUR ARE THE PERFECT MOTHER FOR YOUR CHILDREN!

• As you teach them, they will be teaching you

So my dear daughters – thank you for continuing to teach me how  to mother you as grown young women (thank you for reminding me when I have blown it) and most importantly, thank you for making me a Mom.  It has been (and continues to be) one of the best experiences of my life.

The Women in my life…

Read Full Post »

Living in the Moment – Not for the Blog

My blog has been quiet because my life has been so full lately.  A while ago, I read a statement on a blog that I really agreed with and I have rewritten for myself…. “my blog lives for me; I don’t live for my blog”.  So I am going to live my life in the moments that God has given and feel very little stress (okay, maybe a little stress) when I don’t update my blog.

Lately my life has included….

Wedding Planning with my youngest daughter, Audrianna.  She and her finance are getting married on June 23 (that is only 7 weeks away)!!  I so enjoyed her spring break in March and am looking forward to the upcoming weeks as we get ready for the special day.

Our son-in-law, Josiah came home from a year’s deployment in March and we enjoyed a visit from this reunited family in April.  It was such a sweet time to see our grandson Joey calling out for his Daddy and to see our daughter, Laryssa so happy to be a wife with her husband.

Once again, Bill and I are empty-nesters, although that will change for a short time – only to become permanent after the wedding.  We so enjoy our time together and we so enjoy the times we have when our family is here – although I must admit there is much less cooking that goes on when it is just the two of us.

Because I have a flexible schedule, God has allowed me to spend time with other women – talking, praying, walking, eating and sharing life.  I so love when I spend time with women, talking through life and faith – learning to trust God’s pans for our lives. 
Our MOPS Ministry is down to the last couple of meetings.  As always, this ministry is so dear to my heart and God has blessed our MOPS group in tremendous ways – I will be sharing more about this calling in my life.

My Blessings Unlimited business has kept me busy traveling (Columbus, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and soon the Mexican Rivera), sharing the message of our inspirational products and walking alongside other women who are interested in having their own Blessings Unlimited Business.  I am thankful for this calling in my life and am amazed at how God is using this business ministry in the lives of many.

 

 

 

So my friends – I thank you for inquiring about my quietness, but trust me when I say that I am happier and busier than ever – God has filled my life with joy!  Yes, there are still lots of thoughts and messages to share – but they will wait as I live each day enjoying my callings as a Wife, Mom, Friend, Mentor, Business Owner but most importantly – Daughter of the King.

Read Full Post »

The Empty Nest at our Homey Home

This is a post that I have been writing in my head for the last 10 weeks – especially as so many people have asked how we are doing with our empty nest.  So here is my answer to how are we doing with the empty nest?

Well… it is hard yet good, lonely yet freeing,  fun and yet sad, and did I mention quiet?  I have enjoyed the freedom from parenting (mostly driving back and forth to Audrianna’s school and work)  – but I have really missed the companionship and fun of Audrianna and her friends (especially her boyfriend, Nic) popping in and out of our home.  It has been very enjoyable to renew the way our marriage relationship started of just Bill and I.  We enjoy our time together, but sometimes we both look at each other and say that “it is just a little too quiet around our home.”  Most of all though, I have missed having my daughters’ presence  in our home and the talking that always took place – talks in the morning while they are still in their pajamas, talks at the end of the day about how their days went, and the anytime and all the time conversations that we had . 

In the past 10 weeks, I have seen my oldest and youngest daughter only 3 times each, my middle daughter not at all  — this is the longest I have gone without their daily presence in my life.  For 25 years, I have had the priviledge to have at least one of my daughters with me.  And through the grace of God, I have worked myself out of a job – my daughters are handling life on their own, making excellence decisions and serving the Lord in the places He has placed them.  And that is the goal of mothering our children  – we have them for a season and then we release them to live on their own, directly (with much prayer) under the Lord’s care now.  Our daughters are doing well on their own and their Mother – well she is adjusting and is looking forward to having everyone home a week from today.  If you are near our home next Friday – be prepared to be overwhelmed with all the words, laughter and love coming from “Our Homey Home.

“A Mother holds her children’s hands for a while…their hearts forever”

Signs of our empty nest….

Empty towel racks – these use to hold the multiple towels of 3 daughters.

There are no shoes in the entry way – when the girls were here, there would be up to 10 + pairs of shoes in this area.

 

Once again in the foyer, the empty deacon’s bench – no backpacks, no purses, no shopping bags … just the pretty stuff.

The small kitchen table  – this table can more than double its size, but for just Bill and I, this is still big!

I am looking forward to welcoming everyone home next weekend.

Read Full Post »