As The Snow Flies

I remember my Grandma Harvey, as she was canning vegetables in the peak of summer heat, saying, "This will sure taste good when the snow flies." I have been thinking a lot about summer lately. About how I will be sweating in the garden picking green beans and wishing for a breeze. Because these days, snow has been flying. Snow has been flying unlike anything I have ever seen. I decided that instead of thinking of how the endless snow is not conducive to my going to work and earning a paycheck, I wanted to remember all of the wonderful experiences that came along with the blizzard of 2011.

a warm fire burning
a child in my lap

books to read
phone calls to be sure loved ones are safe as the snow flies

a cup of hot cocoa
a well-stocked pantry

pink, fuzzy socks
an instrument to play as the snow flies

a snow tunnel adventure

a recipe for snow ice cream

games to play

yummy smells from baking as the snow flies.

a neighbor blading the driveway

a Disney movie on pay per view

snuggles beneath warm blankets

a family together, safe and warm, as the snow flies

Before I was a Mother

Before I was a mother, I said, "I just don't understand
why people bribe their children to do what they command."

Before I was a mother, I said, "My kids won't watch TV
to occupy the precious time they should be spending with me."

Before I was a mother, I said, "I will not raise my voice."
I said, "When it comes to dinner, there will never be a choice."

Before I was a mother, I said, "Some moms are way too sappy!
When my kids do great things, I will be nothing but happy!"

.

Before I was a mother, I said, "Every day I will say, 'I love you.'"

That may be the only thing I ever said about motherhood that stayed true.

Jaron will do anything I ask of him for a chocolate candy bar.
I may have yelled a little this morning as I loaded kids up in the car.

During just one episode of Dora, I can get mountains of housework done!
Sometimes I do make two kinds of dinner, when I swore I would only make one.

Sappy could be my middle name, as often as I am moved to tears.
I have cried for reasons I don't always understand in recent years.

Tears of joy and fear and always when they do great things to make me proud.
So now when I think of life I've yet to live, I don't voice my opinions out loud.

The Joys of Motherhood

It's the way her sweet, round cheek fits perfectly against my chest as she drifts off to sleep.
It's the way her smile lights up the darkest night in these crazy hours that we keep.

It's the way her tiny hand grips my finger and it seems to make the whole world right.
It's the way she grabs my face with both little hands and tries to eat it in one slobbery bite.

It's the way I am the only one who can calm her when a loud noise gives her a scare.
It's the warm softness of her baby skin. It's the velvety feel of her hair.

It's the way those lashes provide an adorable frame for eyes that pierce my heart.
It's the way I can't quite seem to take a deep breath in the time that we spend apart.

It's the way she personifies love and hope and dreams in one bundle, adorned with a bow.
These are the joys of motherhood. I thank God these are things that I know.

Poem for Scott and Brenda

Our God will never burden us with more than we can bear.

It's just another way He demonstrates His loving care.

I look around sometimes and see people He must not trust,

for they seem to coast right through their lives with seldom a reason to fuss.

But there are others I know with whom He must be well pleased,

because it seems to me their lives are not always a breeze.

Sometimes they have their struggles. Sometimes they get knocked down.

But God knows they will always remember where strength and comfort can be found.

God knows when they need Him most they will drop to their knees and pray.

God knows their friends and family will pray with them every day.

God knows their faith will be a light that shines for all to see,

and the rest of us will look to them as a reminder of what we should try to be.

So when times are tough and it's hard to know what God's plan is right now,

I pray our Father's loving hand will pull you through somehow.

Life is Short

This poem was inspired by Serenity's post, "life's too short for that"


Life is too short to miss family dinners,
or the games that make our kids feel like winners.

Life is too short to hold back kisses and hugs,
or to yell too loudly about stains on the rugs.

Life is too short to skip reading a good book,
or to say no when the kids ask to help you cook.

Life is too short to criticize and complain,
or to focus on things lost and not the things we gain.

Life is too short to neglect our lifelong friends,
or to waste time stressing about housework that never ends.

Life is too short to put our dreams on hold,
or to keep God’s love inside because sharing seems too bold.

Life is too short to share more tears than laughter,
or to lose faith in our vows, and happily ever after.

Life is too short to be cold and unforgiving,
or to forget to take a moment to appreciate living.

Precious Babies

The day I became a mother comes to me random moments at a time. There was a day and night of crazy labor, a scary c-section, and lots of drugs that were not conducive to a clear memory to document. The important things I remember are Kevin (who went white with every discussion of labor and delivery throughout my pregnancy) being my strength and my rock. His love for me had never been more clear. I treasure this picture that Jill took on Madison's birthday. It looks like God's love is shining down, pouring over them both, and I remember feeling more amazed at God's power and more blessed than I had ever known. I am planning on having some flashbacks on this site of all the things I want to remember and have access to, so I decided to post this poem that I wrote around the time of Madison's first birthday.

Precious Babies

I always knew babies were precious, soft, and sweet.
I always knew babies had the tiniest hands and feet.
I always knew babies were fun to rock and hold.
I always knew babies meant feedings, and more laundry to fold.

I thought I was very well prepared to be a mother.
I thought my baby would come and be like all the others.
I have changed my way of thinking with a baby of my own.
My feelings about babies have changed some, and grown.

I never knew my baby would be the sweetest thing I had ever seen.
I never knew she'd steal my heart without doing anything.
And her father--I never knew my love could explode for this man
Just from watching him pat her back, which was much smaller than his hand.

I never knew hearing her cry would completely break my heart.
I never knew every thought would include her, even when we're apart
I never knew the consuming peace of my baby asleep against my neck.
Or the terror of putting a hand on her back when she's sleeping, just to check.

I never knew it would be painfully wonderful as she learned to crawl and walk.
I never knew how blissful it would be hearing 'Mama' as she started to talk.
I never knew I would second guess every decision I make.
I never thought I would cry putting candles on her birthday cake.

Yes, I always knew babies were precious, soft, and sweet.
I always knew babies had the tiniest hands and feet.
I always knew babies were fun to rock and hold.
I always knew babies meant feedings, and more laundry to fold.

I know now it takes all your heart, sweat, and tears to be a mother.
And somehow my baby is more precious than any other.
I know now there is more to motherhood than anyone could foresee.
I thank God for this beautiful mixture of my husband and me.