Single Parenting isn't for Wimps!

Every time my husband goes away for a few days I gain a greater respect for single parents. It sure isn't easy. My kids are wonderful and so very helpful (for the first few hours) when Dad's away but it certainly helps me realize all the things my husband does to contribute to raising this brood of ours. According to the kids I am the "Best" at cooking (despite the continual scream of the smoke detector) and they like that I clean up after them. They think I am pretty cool at spiking their hair (the boys anyway) and kissing their boo boos. Dad on the other hand is the "Coolest!" He plays video games (sometimes hogging the controller and mom has to intervene and make them all share) and he plays in the back yard with them. B2 & B3 asked me today if I would play "hide the ball" in the backyard with them. When I told them I had to feed and change baby G3 they said "Awww, Dad would play with us." {sigh} Yes he probably would, but he isn't here right now so go play with each other. All the boys are missing Dad already. B2 asked if he could call him and ask him come home.
Here's a picture of the great things I received from my herd on Mother's Day. The Brown Paper Bag Mystery is revealed....... those bags contained plants and a candle :) I also got some carnations, a sundae making kit, and a whole pile of handmade cards and pictures. Very special stuff.
After service our family came over for the day (one of my favorite things about Sundays.... obviously attending church and ministry is on my fave list too) My wonderful hubby barbecued for us mom's - we didn't have to do any work at all. If you remember, it was pouring rain on Sunday ..... He barbecued in the rain, holding an umbrella - is that love or what :) (Hmmmmm, I wonder if he was just trying to ensure an extra special Father's Day????) After our lunch we sat around talking and relaxing. The kids came into the living room and took the PS2 game system so they could play some games in the bedroom. The adults started to whine (yes, we do whine) because WE wanted the PS2 to play some games in the living room. Eventually we opted for a game of Yahtzee at the kitchen table but we came to the realization that we do need to find another PS2 system so we can play our games without taking it away from the children..... we don't always share so well so it's probably best to find a second system :) *Sooooo, if anyone out there has a PS2 system they are no longer using.... I know a group of whining adults who would gladly give it a good home :) Here's a video clip of a couple of the kids playing Sing Star...... it must have been late because they look worn out or lazy..... one or the other :)

Because we won't be together on our anniversary, I packed a card and a few treats into his luggage before he left (without him knowing) *yes, and a bag of Doritos. Since he left this morning I have been finding little pieces of paper that say "I love you" hidden all over the house - in my cell phone, the microwave, under my pillow, on my computer keyboard, and in the fridge. Hahaha yes, we're sappy what can I say :)

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's I might have missed on Sunday - I hope you had an incredible day - you sure do deserve it! I had the privilege of speaking at church on Sunday - what a blessing that was. Talking in front of so many people sure makes me appreciate what the pastors do each week in that regard. It's not as easy as they make it look :) It was a good service - it began with a baby dedication.... what a perfect day for it. Mr. and Mrs. L's newest addition, Baby E was dedicated. I love baby dedications....Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. L and little E and littler E.
Here's something I shared on Sunday....


1 Corinthians 13 for Mothers


If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,but have not love,I am a housekeeper ¬ not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,but have not love,my children learn cleanliness ¬ not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction,and fault them for every mess they make,but have not love,my children become people-pleasers ¬ not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,”the taxi-driver to every childhood event,the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,And what remain are the memories of my kids.
Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,dishes with missing place settings,and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,But the greatest of all is the Love that permeates my relationships with my children.
Today I received a letter in the mail from my Bigger Boy. It's the first I've heard from him since he left three and a half weeks ago. He tried to call us last Friday night but we were out. He is limited to when he can call and write so we have to be patient. Here is an excerpt from that letter: "....it is great to have christian friends. I'm constantly confiding in them how much I miss my family or they are there to pray with me when I'm in tears. It amazes me the work Christ has done in their lives and is in the process of doing in mine. I thought a year would be a long time, yet you never have enough time to saturate in Christ's love and teachings. Thank you for all the support, prayers, and love guys. I miss you and you are in my prayers........I'll be praying for the family and the church. Please say "hi and I love and miss you" to all my friends and family. I love you and thank you for your prayers."
And finally..... The kids all got their Spring Pictures from school today. They sure do things differently now a days.... smarter marketing practises that's for sure..... The children bring home a sheet reminding parents that spring photos are being taken in a few days and it asks you to select a pose. Every child will be photographed regardless of whether or not you want to purchase photos. The school supposedly gets a profit from every picture taken. Picture day comes and they photograph your child in the pose you selected (or pose #1 if you didn't select one). A couple weeks later the kids bring home their photo packages - yup, all the pictures.....an 8X10, 3 5X7's, 3 X2's, wallets, "special" pics and "photo gifts" (book marks, key fobs, wallet cards, etc) you are under no obligation to purchase any of the photos. You can purchase separate sheets of pictures or the whole package for $38.00 just send your payment back to school with your child along with any of the photos you do not wish to purchase.......... I don't know about you but when I see a photo of one of my kids I can't NOT buy it - I think about the company throwing out those pictures of my kids that don't get purchased and it makes me crazy! I love pictures of my children and I take alot of them myself. I certainly do not need anymore pictures - especially ones I have to spend that kind of money on - but how do you say no to your child's photos? They are so darn cute! Isn't that like rejection? LOL So yes, I got suckered into buying their spring picture packages..... all of them - five out of six of our kids are in school so you do the math. Praise God they have a "family discount."