Happy Mother's Day

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Whether she carried her child under her heart for nine months

Or adopted her child with a love that was meant to be

There are step mom's that mother children they did not have, and yet love them as their own

Foster mom's who step in and love children that desperately need to belong

Or maybe she gives a mother's love to all the children in her life...because that is just who she is.

Mother's are the ones who nurture, and snuggle

Kiss hurts

Give hugs

Soothe and calm a spirit

Clean messes

Cook the meals

Give advice

Play games

Drive the van

Are fiercely loyal

And extremely perceptive

Proud

Honored

Loved

Moms can never be replaced

Because there is never anyone that can take her place.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU

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Being A Mom And All That Jazz

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Unless you are a mom,  you might not get this blog,'cause there are some things that only a mom would understand.

To all my mom friends...

1.....Things like walking across the kitchen floor with bare feet, only to discover that you've stepped in something sticky. Not really knowing what it is. And not wanting to know. It's easier not to look.

2. ....Telling the kids to quit arguing in the back seat, or you WILL come back there!!! Even if it entails crawling over the seat and possibly getting strangled by the seat belt. A moms gotta do what a moms gotta do.

3. Understand that anytime you are on the phone a child will need your attention. Said child will do anything to get your attention, WHILE you are trying to have a conversation with the lady that works at the doctor's office. You worry that she might have heard you yell, as you were hanging up the phone, "For the love of all that is good, GET THE UNDERWEAR OFF YOUR HEAD!"

4. "AM I THE ONLY ONE IN THIS HOUSE THAT KNOWS HOW TO CLEAN A DISH?"

5. Trying to appear calm, cool, and collected while your teenage son is driving. Praying that there are no cops around, also hoping that you don't die in a fiery crash, burned to a crisp. Trying to look on the bright side...if that happens at least there will be no newspaper pictures of you.

6. Arm pit noises, burps, and flatulence are not as hysterical as some children seem to think. Hoping against all odds that they have not done any of these things while at other people's houses. If so, you don't want to know about it.

7. Trusting that everyone will graduate before they are 30---wondering why in the world I thought it was a good idea to home educate? 'Cause now the ball falls directly in my court. Ugh.

8. Asking the Lord to already work on their future spouses hearts. "Oh God. Puh-leeze prepare my sons/daughter future spouse for them. I want them each to be blessed with a good marriage. Drop her/him right in their lap if need be. No, seriously God. I mean that. It would be a lot easier that way. Just sayin'."

9. As a mom, I have to squirrel certain food away--if I ever want to see it again. Nothing lasts in a house with three teenagers. I've got rations laid up in the bedroom armoire.

10. Lay down at night and fall dead asleep from sheer exhaustion. Unless someone is up when they aren't supposed to be, then I'm up like a shot because I have ears like a bat.

11. Reminding my children that I have a hot line straight to God. If they ever lie, cheat, steal, hurt someone, do ANYTHING they know they shouldn't...God will TELL ME. I will find out. And I will deal with it.

12. Any child with even an inkling of self preservation, should have a healthy fear of their mother. End of discussion.

13. If you make me cry, you've really done it. How can you hurt me this way? I thought my greatest pain was when I birthed you from my loins! I was wrong. You've crushed me. I don't think I'll ever be the same. ARE YOU FEELING GUILTY YET???

14. "No. I will not really bury you in the backyard. That is just an expression, sweetheart."

15. I expect you to do your laundry. You smell ripe. It wouldn't hurt you to slap on some deodorant either. It's because I love you that I tell you these things.

16. I love you too. I'm glad I'm your mom....Yes, really.

17. It's your turn to clean the toilet in the hall bath. I don't get paid enough (at all) to clean that. Y'alls bathroom looks worse than a truck stop.

18. That is the sweetest thing you've ever done. I love you so much. Come here and get a hug.

19. When did you get so tall? I am still your mother even if I'm standing on a stool to look at you eye to eye.

20. I've got the best kids and I wouldn't exchange them for anything in the world. Well...except for some chocolate. And that's only if its the really, really good stuff. No. Of course, I'm just kidding. You're much better than chocolate. No, I'm not lying for cryin' out loud.

Keep On, Keepin' On, Mamas!!!

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Living The Life

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As many of you know I am a former, public school, special education teacher. (mouthful, huh?) I loved my job because I loved my students--and their parents. (most of the time) Four years ago I resigned from my teaching career of 17 years to come home. I, with my husband, home educate our own three kiddos. It's not just a job. It's an adventure. I'm not talking an adventure, like back backing through Europe. I'm thinking more like living in the trenches in Cambodia. Just teasing. No, really I am. Seriously, people. It's not Cambodia on most days. Well, unless it is a day that everyone wakes in a bad mood and Dad and I haven't had our coffee yet. Then we're talkin' serious guerilla warfare. Just sayin'.  All in all our kiddos are intelligent, well rounded, and they drive us nuts. On occasion. But, would they be teens if they didn't? It's part of the circle of life. I just secretly smile, because I know that one day they will get theirs. God will bless them with children in their spittin' image. And I will laugh on the inside....because as a grandparent I will spoil my grandkids absolutely rotten (as is my grandparental right) and I will send them back home TO THEIR PARENTS. And I will sleep like a baby:)

TEN REASONS I LOVE HOME SCHOOLING:

1. I know what my children are studying. This is important to me...because I've been on "the other side of the fence", and I know some of the off the wall stuff that is taught in schools, under the guise of character training, or student enlightenment.

2. We can work at odd hours if the need arises.

3. We are not chained to calendars or clocks.

4. My children are readers. They read on a myriad number of subjects, not just assigned textbooks. I learn many things from my own children because of things they've seen or read.

5. The kids interact with people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly. This opens the world up to new relationships.

6. The kids learn to figure things out on their own. They are excellent problem solvers.

7.  They understand that all of life is a learning experience. It doesn't end after graduation.

8. We can work in our pajamas if we so choose.

9. The kids are still kids. We all have our ups and downs. No one is perfect. They do know that they are loved. They are not scared to go to school.

10. It's really cool that I, as the teacher, can smooch on the "principal" during lunch break, and I won't get in trouble. Yep. There are definitely some perks to this lifestyle:)

Helen Keller had it right when she said, "Life is an adventure...or nothing at all."

 

 

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What Happened To The 3 R's?

Since I have devoted most of my life to learning, both as student and as teacher, I keep up with what is going on in the education arena. I've grown deeply concerned over the years about the educational system in this country. Let me tell you why. Every week there seems to be something new and disturbing on the news. There are things that I question, things that make no sense.

1. School used to be a safe place. When parents sent their children off to school they really didn't fear that they could be shot. Or that a teacher might try and seduce their children (both BOYS and GIRLS)?

2. That their child might become the target of bullies, and sadly, take his/her life?

3. Who in a million years would have thought that teens would participate in "sexting"? Where was modesty lost? When did self-esteem get shattered?

4. Or that high school girls would make "pacts" to become pregnant?

5. When did Montana decide that kindergartners needed to know about detailed human anatomy? And by 5th grade be expected to understand different sexual positions?

6. When was it decided in Massachusetts that kids should go to a mosque on a field trip...and the children have the option to participate in Islamic prayers?

7. School boards are choosing textbooks that leave out entire sections of history. Important things.

8. I have witnessed many young children that are unable to even say The Pledge of Allegiance. It is not required for them to recite it on a daily basis at their schools.

9. Many of our country's children graduate not even being able to read at an adult level...or fill out an application...or answer simple history questions? (Have you ever seen Jay Leno's, Jaywalking excerpts?) Is it any wonder why perspective employers are shaking their heads?

10. When did this become acceptable?

11. Are we, as a society, like the frogs in the pot? Not realizing that the temperature is being turned up, until we are all boiled?

12. I'm usually not a negative person.

13. But, this is serious business.

14. Don't get me wrong. There are many great teachers out there.

15. Yet, even a great teacher is shackled to his/her school district's curriculum. If it is poor curriculum, he/she still must teach it--or face job loss.

16. I know.

17. I taught in the public school system for 17 years.

18. Make no mistake about it.

19. School is not what it used to be.

20. Children of this country ARE learning...but, the question is WHAT? And can we live with that?

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Leaving It In His Hands

I am a mom. Maybe you are too. If that is the case then maybe you already "get it".

The truth is half the time I mess up. The other half I only sort of know what I'm doing. If I can stay at least one step in front of my kids then I call it a good day.  I remember the day my son was born. The day I saw him for the first time. The day that my heart changed forever. I was never the same after that. The old country saying, "When you have a child you know what it is to wear your heart outside of your body", really strikes home.  Being a step mom isn't any easier. How the puzzle pieces all fit together is a constant challenge. Being their "mom number two" is hard work. Work only a mother could do:) I go through a lot of days wondering if anything I've said is really making a difference? Are my kids hearing me? Really? Do they know how much I love them? Do they believe it?

My kids are teenagers. It occurred to me the other day that my time with them is waning. In not so many years they will be adults. No longer under their father's and my roof. No longer under our discipline. No longer with us each day. Will the things I  told them have made a difference?  As a mother, I can hope they have. I long for my children to grow up and live God-centered lives. Lives of integrity and good character. And yes....I hope that they are happy....though happiness is such a fleeting thing most of the time. I don't want them to always be searching for "happiness", because sometimes one just needs to do the right thing and stay the course before happiness finds him (or her).

As a mom, I long for my children to grow in their relationship with their Heavenly Father. For that relationship to be their solid rock. When life is a storm all around them.....they will know where to go, where their safe harbor is.

As much as I love my children and want the best for them.....my love can not even begin to touch the love of  their Heavenly Father. He loves them more than I can even imagine. I can't think of a better place for them to be....then in their Father's hands.

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