Mother's Day was a good one this year. Besides getting the kids and myself ready for church in the morning, I wasn't required to do another thing except for enjoy myself. Shelby is getting baptized this month, so we watched the Passion of the Christ together during rest time. It may sound like an odd thing to watch on Mother's Day, but it was especially meaningful since this film highlights the special relationship between Jesus and his mother. Shelby and I snuggled together on the chaise lounge and shared a box of tissue. I love this stage that she is moving into where she is developing her own faith and starting to make connections on her own. She asks me some really challenging questions and it stretches me. Many days I learn more through teaching these kiddos than I do on my own.
Here is some of the amazing artwork my babies made for me this Mother's day.
This is Mom and Dad if we were birds.
<--------This was my gift from James and the kids. I asked for it. I have a love affair with planners and this might just be the best one yet. Before I found this beauty, the familytime.mine planner was my favorite. I haven't gotten one in a few years b/c I was on an anti-planning kick, trying to purge the control freak inside of me and learn to go with the flow, but that didn't work completely for me so I am learning to exercise moderation and flexibility in my planning. I came to realize a while back that I found a lot of security in my calendar. Whenever I'd feel like life was chaotic or out of control, I'd sit down with my planner and plan. I'd reorganize my day, meal list or school schedule and I would actually have a physical response...slower pulse rate, shoulders relaxing as I wrote, breathing more slowly. Sounds crazy, right? Well, I am a first born type A person, so order and organization are always going to be important to me, but I refuse to allow them to be my idol anymore. Everything goes more smoothly with an intentional plan. When things are organized, it makes like easier for everyone, so obviously these are good things, but just like every other good thing they can be taken to the extreme. I can feel like I am in control b/c I have a plan, but really I am being controlled by my plan unless I can be flexible. Being rigid with my plans makes me more task-oriented than people-oriented and doesn't really leave much room for God's unexpected surprises and opportunities to minister to others. It is a balancing act, and I am praying for God to develop my balancing skills!
My Mom got me this purse! I was so excited about the design and this is my favorite style because it has six pockets lining the inside. I love it! My Momma knows me well.
And, who could forget the beautiful nesting dolls we "won" on ebay? Well, actually the seller may have forgotten, because we still haven't received them.
I am hoping to have them soon so I can display them in all of their splendor!
