Many Mothers

Mother's Day was this past weekend. In previous years, this day has been difficult for me. I was not one to have a mother that was loving and encouraging. My mother was absent most of my life and dealing with issues that it took all of her energy to face.....alcoholism, pill addiction and personality issues. She is now incapacitated in a home where she needs 24 hour round the clock care and does not know or recognize any of her daughters. Her situation will never get better only worse. When I tell most people this, they apologize and really don't know what to say. I am truly at peace with the entire situation as God is in control and she is being well taken care of. Since I never really had a relationship with my mother, I am not mourning the loss of that. What I did mourn was that missing facet of my life and the relationship that I observe other daughters and mothers sharing. You may notice that I said DID mourn. I have worked through issues of being without a mother and am confident in who I am and that God allowed me to be the daughter that I was for a reason. Because of my experiences, I have been blessed to share my life story with many people who had similiar situations and God has worked the good through all of my authenticity with others. I am so thankful for that.
What I have gained is only precious women in my life who don't have the title of biological mother to me, but true friend and mentor. I have women who God placed in my life as a replacement for the relationship with my mother that I never possessed. I have women who have fervently prayed for me, my husband and my family. I have women who love me for who I am and who I am continuing to blossom into. I have women that prayed for my relationship with Christ before I even knew that I could have a relationship with Him. I have women who always have open arms and warm embraces for me. I have women who truly accept me for who I have been created to be. I have women that love me unconditionally and that I can always trust and be myself with.
What more can I possibly ask for?? God is good....all of the time. He knows what my needs are and He gently placed each of these special women in my life at just the perfect time. Looking back on this past weekend and the celebration of Mother's Day....I am only thankful. Thankful for my "mothers" and so thankful that God allowed me to be the mother that I am to my two precious sons.

Such precious words

Tonight is Monday. Monday's are very busy. Landon and Dan are at wrestling until 6ish and Dalton and I have a date night every week. We have BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). We eat dinner early and then leave and don't return home until around 9:30. Usually dinner is rushed and on the run.

Dalton had PB and J and Mac and cheese tonight....what a great kid's meal!! :) As he was eating, I was on my computer checking my e-mail. Dalton said, "Mom, thank you for my PB and J...it is really good! You're welcome", I replied without turning from the computer. "Mom, Dalton continued...."Thank you for giving me life!" I couldn't believe my ears. What beautiful words and what precious insight my sweet Dalton has. I gave him a big hug and said, "You are welcome!" He had no idea how his words blessed my heart!!

Each evening when I go to bed at night, I always try to replay the day in my head. I really try to focus on how God worked in and through me during the day and what happened that I am truly thankful for. I will not need to do that tonight as I am so touched and thankful for the words that Dalton spoke to me tonight. I love him so very much!!

Thank you sweet Goopy Lane!!

Valentine's Day 2010

Today is Valentine's day. I don't really know how I exactly feel about this day, but I do believe that it is important to show and tell the people you love EVERY day that you love them. You don't ever know when your last day will be, so telling those dearest to you that you love them is so important!!

My husband, Dan is not romantic. He never has been and I don't think he ever will be. This was difficult for me for a very long time. I really wanted to be swept off of my feet with kisses and roses and have surprises waiting for me around every corner. Well....it never happened. Over the almost 19 years that we have been married, I have had to get over my big bad self and realize that it is NOT all about me!! As much as I wish it was, it is NOT!! :) I will tell you though that my husband expresses his love for me and for his family in a completely different way than I wanted him to, but it is better than anything that I could have wished for.

Dan is a dedicated and hard working man. Whether it is for his business, for me or for his children, he does everything to the very best of his ability. He NEVER slacks off or leaves any task unfinished. He is trustworthy and does what he says he is going to do. He coaches his sons in baseball and wrestling, he serves on our neighborhood civic league, he is active at church and has led many bible studies, he constantly helps around the house to keep things tidy and neat, he gives of himself to neighbors and friends.

Today being Valentine's day, we returned home from church and he got dressed in his "work" clothes. He came downstairs and announced that he was going to clean the bathrooms. Now you are probably thinking....."ah, that is so nice for him to do on Valentine's day for you"and it really is, BUT Dan does this all the time for me, not just on Valentine's Day. I am not prissy about much at all, but I absolutely HATE to clean bathrooms...it really grosses me out. Dan knows that and he cleans all three of our bathrooms from top to bottom at least once or twice a month. It usually takes him a few hours and if you have been to our home, our bathrooms are not big...they are tiny. He takes the shower doors off of the hinges and scrubs them, he scrubs the grout, the toilet and the sink. If it is in the bathroom, he completely cleans it until it is void of germs.

Dan is humble and does it without complaining or murmuring things under his breath to me!! :) Because I can be very thick sometimes, I have finally realized that this is the way that he shows his love for me. Dan will do many things around the house that others may think are the woman's job and he always does it with a glad heart. Vacuuming, dusting, folding clothes, emptying the dishwasher, making the bed, etc, etc, etc it is always completed thoroughly and wonderfully!!

I am so thankful for this gift that Dan gives to me each and every day. It is not roses or candy, but something even better. Dan gives selflessly of himself to do something for me that I don't like to do. What better sacrifice can a husband give to his wife???

My prayer is that God will continue to allow me to realize what a gift my husband is to me, to not be self-serving and self-centered, and not to wish for roses and candy when I have so much more!! I am truly blessed everyday with Dan and not just Valentine's Day!!