Mother of Seven + 2

Working in my kitchen Hearing children's voices at play Feet thumping up back steps Door thrown open Four year old palm grasping treasure Plunks it upon the counter A crushed dandelion the first this spring gazes up at me Excited words spoken hurriedly "Hey, mom, I picked this dandelion just for you." Then back out the door he dashes Only an hour later I look upon the bloom Now withered with petals curling inward And it hits me Time is fleeting Little boy today Grown tomorrow and gone Many a dandelion bouquet Handed to me over the years A pure expression of a child's love Laid down to wither Not fully appreciated Put aside thinking there will always be more Wanting to cherish these moments For tomorrow is flying by Let me hold this flower of motherhood And soak up the love it contains For the days of dandelions in grubby hands Are fading as the sun begins to set

Sitting here in the early hours of the morning, I'm praying for my eldest son, Ryan.  He's off to take the ACT test today.  I find myself wanting to go with him.  I think, "He might not see a car coming at him.  He wouldn't be so stressed about finding the place.  He would do better on the test because he would relax if I went along for company." A mother's mind thinks of all the things that could happen.  A mother wants to protect.  However, reality tells me he's in God's hands.  God knows and cares for him more than I do.  God knows his time and his number of days.  I do not control those things.  God will give him strength to handle these new experiences in life, and he will be better for it.  So with a prayer I send him off, knowing more and more this will happen in coming days.  Knowing that next year at this time, he'll be in college.  It is time. From This Father Above, We thank you for the blessing of ...

Time passes so quickly.  I always thought there would be time to get nice memory books made for each of the children.  Suddenly I realize I have one who's a senior and the last year I've completed in his book was 2nd grade. So I've begun the tedious job of sorting through the photos on my computer. It's been fun to refresh my memories as I've looked at the pictures.  There are lots of pictures of school field trips and activities.  I'm realizing these times are highlights in my children's lives.  Sadly though I also have realized that the fun activities are something I've let go in the busy rush of life.  So as I'm starting a new school year, I'm committing myself to take some time for fun learning activities. Today Amber, Cory, and Michael were learning about the cell in science class.  We made a fun model of a cell using lemon gelatin, a grape, and a plastic bag.  And you know, it really didn't take much time, and the kids were thrilled...

Feelings of relief wash over me as I think, we did it!  We made it through another year.  Summer break is here.  It's time to camp, garden, swim, and play.  Time to do some much neglected housekeeping, cleaning out, and reorganizing.  It's most definitely time for a change of pace. I embrace this change with excitement, but at the same time it is bittersweet.  Each child will be starting school next year with another grade behind them.  They are growing up.  Ryan, our oldest, will be a senior.  Amber, our youngest, will be in third grade.  There are no longer babies in the house.  We don't need car seats anymore.  We are experiencing driving, working jobs, and discussing college and future plans. I absolutely loved my babies, but I've found my older children just as exciting and thrilling.  The only problem is that the years are slipping away so quickly.  My prayer for the summer is that I will take time to enjoy ...

Laundry piled up.  Children needing fed.  Dishes waiting to be washed.  Floors needing cleaned.  Rushing through the day, I try to accomplish so much.  Each evening exhausted I drop into my chair.  I sigh as I have to rouse myself to comb the tangles out of just washed hair.  Another child asks for a book.  "Not now, mom's too tired," I plead.  "Off to bed quickly," but it's never quick enough.  Peace and quiet at last.  But, no, someone's out of bed again.  "You're fine, now get back in bed," is my harsh reply.  Then adding as they disappear up the stairs, "And don't even think about waking me up in the morning, either!" Oh, Lord, please forgive me.  It is these simple little things with the children I would miss if I could not be with them.   I won't miss the piles of laundry, dishes, and cleaning-- all those things that I make a priority to accomplish each day.  What I will miss are the very things that...