Happy Mother’s Day!
I woke up to Jessie bringing me a plate of strawberries in bed…and then she subsequently started eating them off the plate she brought me. Sharing is caring.
This day can’t go by without giving a special shout-out to a couple of special ladies.
First, to my own mother. Without too much detail, she essentially single-handedly raised my brother and I.
She home-schooled us for a few years to make sure we had a solid education. We were more than prepared for high school, college and then some, because of her. She worked long hours running an at-home daycare for many years so that she could be available and involved and we never felt like we were wanting for anything, despite the fact that I knew circumstances were not always in her favor. I humbly say that I really had little to no appreciation for what she did for us, until I had kids of my own…and I have help. I can imagine the times she had to swallow her pride to ask for help, or laid awake wondering what the next day would hold. Her strength is remarkable and the love she shows us is immeasurable. I can’t say thank you enough to her. She is a wonderful mother and an amazing Grammy! Since retiring, she makes it a point to visit and stay involved, even though she lives 500 miles away. We love her dearly and appreciate all she does!
Mr. L’s mom, Kathy, gets mad props for raising a man who makes my life pretty cush. Nathan cleans, cooks and helps with the kids so much that it makes Mother’s day seem like any other day.
He was raised to have a strong, unshakable faith, to have a servant’s heart and to lead without being domineering. Her marriage to Jim is an incredible example to Nathan and I of a Godly marriage. I am forever challenged to raise Josiah to be half the man she raised her son to be. I am so incredibly blessed to have her as a mother-in-law and can truly say she has made it easy on me to be a Lawrence.
Then we have our little hooligans, the ones who made me a mother. I have three angel babies in heaven and there was a time where I wasn’t sure that motherhood was in my future. To ladies who are fighting that battle, I know what it is like to sob and ask “why?” I have experienced Mother’s Days that were anything but joyful. Please don’t lose hope. Know that you are loved and supported.
These miracle babies of ours have richly blessed our lives. Despite the constant wondering of whether I am doing it right, the mom-guilt, and the flaws that I am constantly finding in my mothering, these guys never make me feel bad.
They have endless unconditional love, but I know this time is precious and fleeting and I have to remind myself to savor every moment of this journey.
This morning, I decided to have a fun little interview with my kids about me as a mother and I am attaching the PDF of my questions at the bottom of this post, in case you want to do the same. Here were their responses:
Q: How old do you think I am?
Jessie: I don’t know
Josiah: 31 ( he was paying attention somewhere…)
Q: How old do you think I was I when I had you?
Jessie: I don’t know
Josiah: 33 ( Mr. L probably needs to give him a math lesson)
Q: How do you think Mommy and Daddy met?
Jessie: With me.
Josiah: When you got married
…I think we have some explaining to do.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do with me?
Jessie: Go shopping
Josiah: Play games
Q: What is my favorite color?
Jessie: Pink and Purple
Josiah: Purple (Correct!)
Q: What is my favorite food?
Jessie: Applesauce ( Not correct)
Josiah: Salad ( Probably should be my favorite food…)
Q: What is your favorite food that I make you?
Jessie: Applesauce ( Opening that jar is tough)
Josiah: Pizza ( Yet another challenging dish…)
Q: What do you wish I could do more of with you?
Jessie: Go to Animal Kingdom ( We just went yesterday…)
Josiah: Go to SeaWorld ( I see a theme with these two…)
Q: What is one thing you really want to do with me that we have never done before?
Jessie: Go out to dinner. ( We have done this before… I promise)
Josiah: I don’t know. ( I told him to let me know when he does)
Feel free to share any funny answers you get in my comments!
Finally, to all the mother’s, grandmother’s, involved aunts, step-mothers, best friends who are second moms, all women who play a pivotal role in a child’s life, I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! You are needed, loved and appreciated!
