Hiding from the kids....

Mother's Day-a day to celebrate my Mom and a day to be celebrated by my kids.  For me, Mother's Day isn't about one day a year-it's about all 365 days.  Being a mom, I know first hand the hard work, dedication, lack of sleep, selflessness, etc. that being a mom is all about!  In our family on Mother's Day (and Father's Day) there is the normal exchange of cards, a special meal but that's about it.  This year, I splurged and commissioned a painting of our daughters, each between the ages of 3 and 4 dressed as their favorite Disney Princess. I've never done anything so "selfish" before but I'm so glad I did!  I absolutely love this piece and will treasure it forever!  The artist Dana Helms really did a great job capturing each girl and her personality!  Now that I've shamelessly bragged about my awesome gift to myself let's get back to those other 364 days.

Twas the night before Mother's Day when all through the house

 the children were arguing and fighting like siblings-the louse!

Mom was frustrated and ready to flea

 when she remembered Captain America they wanted to see!

Mom suggested to Dad that he be a great hero, saving the day

 and take the children on Sunday to the matinee!

I know that kind of defeats the point of Mother's Day to ask your husband to empty the house but try to see things from my perspective. I am only a housewife but a twist on the breed because I also homeschool the kids so time alone in my home, my sanctuary rarely occurs.  It doesn't take all 10 fingers to count the times I've been alone at home.  A few short hours with no noise-no music-no arguing-no nothing.  So I read, blogged, slept and caught up with my DVR.

From the movie they came bubbling into the house.  I was refreshed and so glad they were back once again!  Handsome was hungry so I suggested Shogun, my least favorite but the kids LOVE it and I enjoy watching their delight, kind of my gift to them on this day.  College Girl drove up and joined in the fun and I enjoyed watching their smiles and hearing their laughter last night.  My heart was full and I felt crazy blessed!  As I fell into bed ready to sleep I took a peek at Facebook and read the status of a dear friend.  It started like this,

"I don't want a day without my kids.

I don't want a day where they "leave me alone."

I don't want to celebrate the most important job I've ever been blessed with 

laying in bed alone watching tv.

I want to be surrounded by them!!!"

And just like that I felt like dirt.  

For about ten seconds.

Then I remembered my day had been full and so was my heart, the happy you only get from being crazy blessed!  Breakfast had been lovingly cooked by my kids, homemade cards filled with adoring words, church reflecting on the prayers of our moms, "meals on wheels" lunch at my parents-steaks grilled to perfection and strawberries from her garden.  (I have to throw in I feel so crazy blessed to have my parents three doors away and I can celebrate them each and every day!!)  We are moms. Crazy Blessed and somedays just cRaZy!!!  We deserve to be celebrated; we deserve to be celebrated the way we choose!  No two moms walk the same path and that is perfectly okay!  So next year on Mother's Day when I send my kids away for a few hours I will do it knowing that sometimes the best gift is nothing-the gift of a few hours alone.

Connections

"To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep...."

Recently a friend from high school passed away.  We weren't really close, he was a few years older than me but he lived for a while in my neighborhood and I always thought he was a nice guy.  I wouldn't have normally attended the funeral of an acquaintance like that but it turned out his sweet daughter married my amazing nephew and just like that we were almost family!  At his funeral I noticed several folks on his moms side had the last name "Rains" and then someone mentioned Maytag.  Please join me for a moment for a stroll way, way back down memory lane to connect the dots....

My family hails from down near the Verden, Pocassett, Dutton, Chickasha area...from the time I was knee high I remember the name "Totsie Rains!"  Not only was he a Maytag Man but he was a preacher and he was a friend of my Grandma Jackie (Roxie Anna) and my Grandpa Huse (Houston Carlton) Harman.  I had the opportunity to meet Totsie on numerous occasions and he was a character.  He had a voice that you couldn't ever forget and he could preach a sermon that would literally raise the rafters in the little white church my grandparents attended.  It just so happened that when my grandparents moved off of their farm place they purchased a house just behind Totsie's church!  

Flash forward to the mid-80's after my grandparents had gone where "the roll is called up yonder..."  As things were being taken care of legally, my Mom felt a tugging on her heart to give funds to Totsie's little church for a steeple but I was a kid, I had no idea the gift had been given until we were at the funeral of my friend.

I stepped over to the people and asked if they were related to Totsie and the woman said, "he was my Dad!"  I was so excited and quickly told her who I was and grabbed my Mom to make the introduction.  It was then Mom shared the story of the steeple.  What a thrilling connection to make and what an incredible story from both families of love, friendship and God's beautiful way of bringing people together even in the saddest of circumstances!

A few weeks ago, I was crazy blessed to take my parents to Oklahoma for a class reunion.  We took some extra time and drove past my grandparents old house on Wisconsin Avenue in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  I was excited to drive around the corner and see the little neighborhood church where Totsie used to preach still standing and blessed with an active congregation still today.  Here is a picture of the cross and the steeple that was given in love!  What a story to pass on to our kids and grandkids someday!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  Thank you so much for being an example every day of my life!