Mother’s Day is one of those sweet times when I know my girls want to go all out to make me feel special. Of course, I feel pretty special just being their mom everyday, but Mother’s Day is extra special.

Typically, the girls bring me breakfast in bed and make me homemade cards. Today was no exception! It was funny because I woke up before everyone and was wide awake, despite my announcement that I planned to sleep in. {I have a hard time doing that!}

See, the girls all went to bed rather late last night. I’m not sure why. It was just one of those nights. So I knew that they wouldn’t be up extra early. I took the dogs out and climbed back into bed and coaxed my husband into watching a movie with me until the girls woke up. I didn’t want to ruin their “surprise!”

This year, it was Hannah (age 12) and Laura (age 9) who made their way into the kitchen to make me breakfast. They really are good cooks! They brought breakfast to me and even garnished the fresh mango with mint leaves from the garden and a sprinkling of sugar!

Emily (age 16) washed the dishes and Sarah (age 18) mopped the floors. What sweet girls I have!

They are growing up so fast.

As my 18 year old prepares to go away to work at summer camp all summer long, I am constantly reminded that childhood is fleeting. I already have a 22 year old son! Who no longer lives at home. My youngest daughter will be 10 years old in just over a month.

Where has the time gone?

I try not to dwell on the inevitable – the day when my home is no longer busy with children. They are such a blessing to me and it’s been pure joy watching them grow.

We laugh together. Me and the girls. A lot.

They are my best friends. So precious to me. This time we have together. I am so privileged to have had the gift of mothering them. What an honor it is to be their mom.

Each one unique. Each one so amazing. It boggles my mind how I could end up with four beautiful, smart, funny girls. I was not a witty kid. At all. And they are all so funny!

I want to be the best mom possible. And yet, I know there are so many things I fail at. But still, they love me anyway. And I treasure each moment.

Oh and last but certainly not least, I did receive a very touching card in the mail from my college bound son yesterday. All in all it’s been a perfect Mother’s Day.

Here are some articles to help you be the best mom possible:

• The Prayers of a Mother
• Provoke Not Your Children
• Enjoy Your Children

What do your children do for you on Mother’s Day?

Does your husband get involved or does he let the kids have at it on their own like my hubby?

Anything special happen this year?

How do you enjoy your kids?

This question was in response to my article: Structuring the Day for a Toddler.

Q: I like what you said about being present, but in your schedule you don’t mention daily interruptions like volunteering at school or going to the grocery store. I seem to go somewhere 3 or 4 times a week and they are at different times. Am I doing a larger disservice to my elementary aged kids by not volunteering or my toddler by not being scheduled.

P.S. Your house sounds clean!

A: This is a great question!

I think the biggest gift you can give your children is to be “present.” When you have more than one child, you may have to divide your time and be “present” with different children at different times.

For instance, even in my home, I have to divide my time between each of my children and my husband. Sometimes we are all doing things together. Sometimes I am talking one on one with only one child or maybe I’m sitting together with two of them reading a book.

Sometimes one child will be talking to me and another child will come in and interrupt and I will say something like, “Wait, it’s Emily’s turn right now. Wait until she’s finished.”

My point is that, as long as you are making it a priority to love and nurture each of your children every day you’re okay! The schedule I presented was only a suggestion. Every family situation is different. Whether a mom volunteers at the school a few times a week or works outside the home or is home all day with all of her kids, you can provide a gentle routine to your day and to the hours you are at home.

For example, start with the morning routine. This could consist of {after the children are dressed and ready for school} breakfast and morning worship and prayer before you head out the door. Create traditions for the time that you say good-bye to the older children, i.e. have a special saying for good-bye like “See ya, later Alligator.” Or special hug. Include your toddler in it.

When you come home from say, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., use that time to do a load of laundry, give your toddler a snack and maybe play a game together after you’ve done your morning chores.

When it’s time to go to the school for volunteering (or run errands, etc.), {I don’t know if you are dropping the toddler off at a sitters}, it’s time to go to school. When it’s time to come home from school, keep the afternoon routine the same. Come home, eat a snack, encourage some play time or nap time, whatever it is your child needs.

End the day with a regular evening/bedtime routine that is familiar and that your toddler can look forward too. He will know he’s loved! Bath time, bedtime story, lots of hugs and kisses, etc. And so will your older children because you are taking an active roll in his or her life. And that’s really what’s important. Being present and taking an active roll!

By keeping the morning and evening routines fairly “routine” you’ll help your youngest child to feel secure by knowing what to expect.

Sounds to me like you are a great, Mom. Keep seeking HIM and God will bless your efforts!

As for my house being clean, sometimes it is and sometimes it’s not. Right now… it’s half and half. We’ve had a lot of upheaval in our lives recently and I take things one day at a time. I’m gone from home a lot and it makes it hard. I catch up {hopefully} on Sunday afternoons.

I don’t want to come across as perfect. There have been times in my life where I really have it together and other times when I just feel broken {like this past year}. But thankfully, God loves me anyway!

I do want to add that I prefer my days to be the same. And being at home most of the time makes a huge difference in the quality of your/ my homemaking. It makes it so much easier to have a solid routine and keep the house clean. It drives me crazy when everyday is different.

The thing is, life happens. And it can be really messy. And when you are really busy, it will be even messier.
We each have to decide how best to spend our time because really, TIME is all we have. Sometimes, things happen that are beyond your control and then you just have to give it all to God.

Right now, much of my life and time is out of my own control because we have elderly family members who require a great deal of my time and it takes me away from my home – which is where I really want to be. There are parts of my house that need a major overhaul right now because I am just not here often enough to do more than just the basics with a little extra on the side. It saddens me. I want to change things. I don’t know when things will change – it could be years.

Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer. I am open to suggestions!

I pray that God blesses your sweet family. These years will pass quickly. Savor each moment!

Hi Ladies! How are things going for you? I haven’t slept hardly at all the last couple of nights which has made functioning at an efficient speed difficult.

It’s campmeeting time {almost} – just a few weeks away – and I am in the throes of planning my program for the Primary department this year. I love teaching those kids! I can’t wait for you to see what we’re doing this year! Follow me on Instagram if you are curious! I’ll be posting photos as we set up. I am sooo excited!

Anyway, because of LIFE, this is late getting up. Now, I’m going to crawl in bed and hope for a good night’s sleep tonight.

I hope you are blessed tomorrow!

From Chaos to Calm: Day Forty-One

Picky Eaters

Scripture Memory: “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself.” Ezekiel 4:9

Download the .pdf version of this article.

Oh, the joys of motherhood. Cooking supper in your pretty apron with your hair fixed and a sweet helper washing the dishes as you go…

Oh, wait – this is real life! I don’t know about you, but supper time can be stressful. I enjoy cooking for my family. I really work hard to prepare healthy meals that look and taste good. Unfortunately, there is always at least one child who is less than thrilled with the menu. Whether it is Emily’s dislike of broccoli, James’ dislike of eggs and mayonnaise, or Sarah’s dread for coleslaw, it seems out of five kids the only nights everyone is thrilled is when I make spaghetti.

Children who are allowed to eat only the foods they really love grow up to be adults who don’t like vegetables. Over the years my children have grown to love greens, salads, spinach, and asparagus. Emily is even beginning to like broccoli! Our taste buds change over time. Not only that, but you can retrain your own taste buds by eating foods you don’t care for on a regular basis.

Some foods that my own mother did not serve – which I grew up disliking – were beets, mushrooms, olives, asparagus, sauerkraut, spinach and more. I am happy to report that thanks to my husbands encouragement, I LOVE all of these foods now and cook them frequently.

Children should not be allowed to waste food. I can’t count the times I have attended a potluck dinner and watched as children piled their plates high with good food only to throw most of it in the trash minutes later. God is not honored by our waste. Children need to learn that food is a blessing from God. Part of being a good steward is eating the food we are provided and avoiding waste as much as possible. My children know when we go to a potluck or eat at someone else’s home that they are to politely eat what they are served.

Teach your children about nutrition. Let them help you choose healthy foods at the grocery store. Tell them why you do not eat certain foods or why some foods should only be eaten in moderation. Teach them how to properly care for their bodies. More importantly show them by your own example.

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How do you encourage your child to eat his or her veggies?