Changed By Love

Having older children who want to be home with their family is a great blessing. These young people wanted to take a picnic lunch to the park and share it with our whole family. They packed everything. They helped us gather the whole family together.

They are not running off by themselves. They are sticking around, spending time with their parents and their little brothers and sisters.

The littles went and played on the playground.

Gary enjoyed himself.

Patrick enjoyed himself. He didn’t eat the whole time. We just took lots of pictures of him eating for some reason.

On another day, Kelsey made pot pie cupcakes. They were delicious!

She also made homemade chicken and noodles. She took over lots of the cooking while I helped with Grandma’s care.

Kelsey kept asking me about my favorite things in the days leading up to Mother’s Day. Then as the day approached, she started providing those things to the best of her ability.

Like Brownie Pie!

And Chocolate Truffles, rolled in chopped walnut.

And Snow Balls

And Brownie Pie with ice cream and homemade Fudge Sauce. It tasted like the dessert they used to serve at Red Lobster called Fudge Overboard. It was one of my favorite things about eating there. I always used to save room for it.

These grown children who stay home with the family and live their lives with us are such a huge blessing to this mama. I’m so thankful that they choose to serve their family and share their lives with us instead of rushing off and trying to find their own lives with strangers or trying to grow up too soon.

We are all learning and growing together. And eating well!

This has a double meaning to me. I thought about making a T-shirt with this written on it. The words “Mommy Counts” would be on the front and “Her Blessings” on the back with a picture of children (the number of which would match the number of kids the mother has). The phrase “Mommy Counts” was meaningful to me because sometimes we moms feel like we don’t have much significance when the children are younger and even when they’re older, because kids don’t often think to tell their mom how much she means to them. They don’t even realize how much they need her or what she has actually done for them, so it can seem like a thankless job. But God is always watching. He lets us know that He is very pleased with what we do for our children if we go to Him and let Him minister to our hearts. And if we do it right, our children do rise up and call us blessed – someday.

Proverbs 31:28-31

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!

I have entered into a blessed season where my older children are aware enough to realize the sacrifice and love I have poured into them and their siblings. And some of the younger ones are old enough to do things for me to express their love and thanks.

The twins did this all on their own. Garrett cooked the bacon and Fiona cooked the eggs. They were so pleased to do something nice for me for Mother’s Day.

Kelsey made heart-shaped toast and hot chocolate for me today. She used cookie cutters that Grandma bought for her the other night to cut out the heart shapes.

And here’s Grandma!

She came to stay with us for about a month. We had a wonderful visit with her. We got to pray for her a lot while she was here. She prayed for us, too. We will miss her.

She is Gary’s mom and my mom-in-love.

She blessed me with words of encouragement and love while she was here. She told me that I’m a good mom. It meant so much to me.

She blessed all of us and prayed blessings over us as a family while she was here. You hear a lot about the Father’s blessing, but I think a Mother’s blessing is very important, too. And a Mother-in-law’s blessing is priceless.

Isn’t she beautiful?!!!

We’re praying for you, Grandma!

The other part of the double meaning is that we mothers love our children so much that when we count our blessings, many times our children top the list. I know that’s how it is for me. My husband and children are my biggest blessings. I know that is how it is for many of us moms.

I have to physically count my children sometimes when we go to places, and I don’t want to leave anybody when it’s time to leave. Others may not have to literally do this, but we mothers are constantly aware of where our children are at any given moment.

I believe that God wants to say to mothers right now, “I am pleased with your labors of love. You are important. You matter to Me. I watch you as you take care of your babies and children. I see you changing diapers, cleaning up messy faces and hands, meeting every need of young ones who are completely dependent on you. I see your sacrifice when you are so tired, but you put the needs of your children before your own. You have a special place in My heart. I am watching you with a big smile on My face. Thank you for welcoming My little ones into your hearts and lives. Thank you for taking care of My children.”

Have a Blessed Mother’s Day!

This post was shared on the Wise Woman Link-Up