The Joy of Motherhood

I've been thinking a lot lately about the joy and privilege it is to be a mother.

At times the task seems overwhelming, yet at other times the joy is so great it seems as if there is not enough room to contain it.

There was a time in my life when I did not know if the gift of earthly motherhood would bless my life. And then I blinked and there were four little babes under 4 years old sitting on my lap.

Once that first baby arrives a woman's life changes forever more. From that day on her first and last thought of each day is for the comfort, safety and happiness of her children, no matter how old or young her children might be.

A mother's love does not diminish with numbers. She loves each and all of her children. Every child is a unique gift and opportunity for growth for both the mother and the child.

A good mother knows that taking care of her children always comes first. When baby and mommy are both hungry, mama will quickly take care of sweet hunger cries before her own rumbling tummy. When a teen comes in with a broken heart, sleep waits till the story is told and tears are stilled. When a daughter hurts her mother longs to ease the pain.

Mothers are not always perfect, they make mistakes, but try their best.

One of the greatest joys in motherhood is watching your own children become parents.

I found this thought:

Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love;
for her willing hands and happy heart translate duty into privilege,
and her labor becomes a service to God and all mankind.

The joy of motherhood is a gift, duty and privilege. I am thankful for the trust.

When Mother Sings

When Mother sings the home is sweet,
And peace and joy abound;
Troubles seem to fade away,
Before this happy sound.

Children smile and baby coos
And dad forgets his care;
Faith and hope and harmony
Dwell securely there.

Singing mothers everywhere,
Patient, tender, strong,
Send to Heaven this daily prayer--
"Lord make my life a song."

Anonymous

White

I have a white pitcher that belonged to my husband's grandmother. It has graceful lines and sits on the shelf above my kitchen sink. It shares the shelf with an old white porcelain pitcher and another tall white pitcher that was made in Italy.

My kitchen cabinet is filled with assorted white serving bowls and platters, some are newer, some wear the marks of time. Some have straight lines, some are curvy. Each are unique in shape and size and do their job well in holding the various foods I choose to place on my dinner table.

I have a closet in my home that bears the weight of 200 dinner plates. When my oldest daughter got married she wanted a sit down dinner for her 200 guests. Purchasing the plates from the Pfaltzgraff outlet was less expensive than renting, and I have enjoyed and used the dishes for large get togethers and weddings for about 15 years now.

I have a drawer of lace doilies that my husband's grandmother crocheted and a drawer of white tablecloths in assorted sizes. I have tablecloths in cotton poly for everyday use and some linen ones I iron for special occasions. For Shawna's wedding we also made 200 lace edged napkins to wrap the silver in. Over the years I have collected some pretty embroidered napkins as well as some that are monogrammed that I use on special occasions.

Some of the dishes have a special meaning for me, like the ripple edged cake plate that was one of my mother and father's wedding gifts. I enjoy the fruit design on the stemmed white glasses that were my grandmothers. The gravy boat that Michael and Kendra gave me gets put on the table almost every Sunday. I like cutting bar cookies and placing them on the rectangular plate that Kevan picked out. I have bowls that were made in Portugal where Michael served his mission

There is something special about setting an all white table and letting the pretty colors of delicious food take center stage. One of these days I will need to disperse my 200 dinner plates amongst my six children, but for right now they are happy on the shelf awaiting the next call for a celebration.

In the mean time, mmmmmmm... what shall we fix for dinner tonight?

Choices

Life is full of choices. Some easy, some not so clear. The trick is to keep yourself centered so you can see the bad choices as they come along.

My mother taught that

It is better to be right and alone
than to be wrong and have company.

I am teaching a lesson on moral cleanliness this Sunday. As I have studied and prayed for inspiration I have learned that we need to :

Place the wisdom of the Lord above our own wisdom.

For the Strength of Youth pamphlet

and

Don't rationalize that wrong is right.
Being honest [in all things] requires courage
and commitment to do what you know is right.

For the Strength of Youth pamphlet

It is good to be in the right place with the right people. If we find ourselves in questionable circumstances we should be like Joseph of old when he

left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Genesis 39:12

Relationships

In every walk of life we interact with others; family, co workers, business associates, classmates, church associates, friends, neighbors, our spouse. Sometimes those relationships are difficult to bear.

The interactions that grate on our nerves make us want to run for the hills, yet most times we must endure. These are the relationships that need a change and we pray for an end as we try to figure a way out.

In a lesson last Sunday this truth was spoken:

If you keep doing what you've always done, nothing will change.

My mother taught me this truth:

The only person that you have control to change is yourself.

Your actions and reactions are your choice at all times.

So, if it is time for a change, look in the mirror first!!

Home

Home is a great place to be.

I love my home, I love my house, I love the land that my house sits on.

I enjoy walking out in the yard and seeing the pretty flowers in bloom.

I am treated to a paradise of thought when I really look at the pictures on the walls of my home.

I feel content when I put on my apron and get to work in my cozy kitchen.

I enjoy the feel of the worn wooden floor under my feet as I wander from room to room putting things in their proper place.

I feel enlightened as I choose a book from the shelves that are filled with knowledge, thoughts and mental getaways.

I love the feeling of coziness I get in our family room when it is lamplit at night and I am wrapped in a warm quilt.

I enjoy my home when it is brimming with the laughter of small children running about exploring corners to be found only at grandma's house.

I am thankful for a peaceful moment when a loved one will sit on the lawn swing with me and talk about what is happening in their life.

I am thankful for the energy to still be able to take a piece of sand paper, a paint brush or a trowel and continue the work that is making my dream of our fixer upper come true.

I have traveled the far corners of the world this summer. I have been home but a few weeks and have spent the time digging into deep corners that have wanted attention for a while. I have enjoyed vacuuming away cobwebs and dusting edges that sit and wait until it is their turn.

As the saying goes:

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

I am glad for the opportunity to travel.

I am thankful for a sweet place to come home to.