Encouragement for my Mom Friends

I am honoring a friend tomorrow who is about ready to deliver her second baby. She didn't want a fancy baby shower so, instead, we are going downtown to have lunch and shop. I was trying to compile a list of 'godly mom' qualities, and I came across this on christianmomsonline.net Not exactly what I was looking for, but definitely a blessing. I was very encouraged by the great reminders that so often slip away in the business of life. I printed these out to serve as my tangible reminder. I hope they are as much of a blessing to you as they were to me.

1. I will no longer compare myself to other moms. I have talents, quirks, and special qualities all my own, and I will start to own and (YES!) even celebrate them, beginning today. I will see my weaknesses as God’s opportunity to be my strength.

2. On the days when it gets so hard that I want to run out the door screaming and never come back, I will breathe. Slowly. And lock myself in the bathroom until I can gain control.

3. I will remember that I’m a good mom. After all, a bad mom doesn’t question whether or not she’s a good mom.

4. I will not gossip about other moms. Every mother has her own set of challenges, most of which I know nothing about. I will not demean or demoralize my fellow moms by talking about them behind their backs. And if someone else is gossiping, I will ask them to change the subject.

5. I will no longer say “yes” to everything that’s asked of me. I will be thoughtful, prayerful, and deliberate in making decisions. That way, my family won’t suffer when I say “yes” too easily.

6. I will no longer do everything for my kids. I want to raise them to be responsible, mature adults who can contribute to the world in amazing ways. This won’t happen if they can’t shop, cook, clean, and take care of themselves.

7. I will no longer put my husband on the end of the “to-do” list. I realize that the health of our relationship makes a huge difference in our kids’ well-being, so I choose to make time regularly for intimacy (of all kinds). Date nights, here we come!

8. I will ask for help when I need it, seek out other moms for mentoring, friendship and support, and make maintaining my friendships a priority (AND I will ask God to help me choose friends who understand when I’m swamped and can’t be there for them).

9. I will take care of myself by exercising and eating right, so that I can be a good steward of the body God’s given me (this one is tough for me, but I’ve seen the results of not taking care of myself and it ain’t pretty!)

10. I will make time to be still, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. During that time, I will listen to God, meditate on His truths, and pray. And when I can, I will take longer stretches of time for Bible study. It’s my lifeline, and the only real source of peace and wisdom in this mixed-up world!

11. I will lighten up. I will laugh, and play, and enjoy my kids. I only get them for a short time (although the days are long, the years go by fast!), and they are a blessing, not a burden.

12. I will believe that God delights in me, loves me, and accepts me–just as I am. He is with me as I navigate the uncertainties of motherhood, and He will make up for my mistakes. I will lean on Him during the dark days, and serve Him, through serving my family, with a grateful heart.

See if you can adapt this “Mom-i-festo” to your own mothering journey. Who knows, maybe we can start a mothering revolution!

July 4th Craziness!!

We had a great time at the Wilson's for July 4th. I heard Jen say a couple of times during the week leading up to the big day, "It'll be crazy, but I think it'll be crazy fun!" She was right!
We totalled 25 adults and 25 kids. We all brought suits and towels (at least for the kids!), chairs, and food. We had a great dinner together, and then Andy hooked up a hose to make a water slide out of their monstrous play structure. There was a little blow up pool at the end. Of course, Andy and Greg Moffat had to show the kids how to tackle the 'Slide of Death' (named per Andy). We all had a good laugh as they just about bypassed the kiddie pool at the bottom. Amaya and Tennyson were some of the brave ones to follow suit.
The kids then all took part in a 'parade' as we marched down to the neighborhood park. The parade was complete with instruments, flags, wagons, and lots of smiling faces. The participants totalled more than the onlookers, but the kids didn't care. It was fun to watch them get so excited.
All this fun... but really it was just beginning. The dads put on quite a show for all the moms and kids in the street. There was quite an assortment of fireworks to be lit off. Tennyson wasn't into the loud noises and unexpected shrills, so we hid out inside the house.
We then had dessert, and sleepily watched the show that we all missed our bedtimes for. It was well worth it. Sunday morning came fast, but with lots of good memories in tow.
Thanks, Wilsons! Can't wait till next year!


With the exception of 2, all the kids were 5 and under. There were 4 or 5 babies sleeping inside. They look like they could all be the same age from this picture.


Tennyson trying her first sparkler. Peer pressure helped out a little with this one. How could she resist all the fun everyone else was having?

Dear Amaya...

To my dear, sweet girl. You turned five last Friday. Daddy and I both agreed it was one of the most fun days we've had as a family. I have spent lots of time reflecting on the last five years with you. I feel blessed to call you my daughter.



Swimming with Ellie on her birthday

Tubing with mom last Friday

In a way, five years has gone fast. But then I think about the day we found out I was pregnant, and it seems like a lifetime ago. We had only been married about 6 weeks when I took the first of four pregnancy tests. Daddy just couldn't believe that the first three were, in fact, accurate. We were elated! You have been a joy ever since.

I remember when you were two years old, and thinking, "I can 'do' two years old, but I would have no idea how to 'do' a five year old." And here you are... five already. You continue to challenge me, and motivate me to be a better mom.

You have a myriad of interests. Number one is horses. You just finished a horse camp this week. Most people have a hard time believing that you barrel raced on your own. Dad and I pulled you out of horse lessons to test you (and to save some money for awhile)... to make sure your interest would last. If anything it has grown.



You love to swim. You can swim the width of a 25 yard pool independently. You have claimed Bella, our chocalate lab as your own. You love thin pancakes, ebelskiever, cherries, sausage, and ice cream.

I love how you still get excited over little things... a new bloom on your marigold plant, a tattoo on your hand, a sticker at Fred Meyers, a popscicle before bed, giving Bella a treat, a snap pea straight from the garden.

I also love how sensitive and thoughtful you are towards other people. From a very young age, you have shown an uncanny ability to be empathetic and merciful. Family and friends frequently comment on these unique qualities that God has gifted you with. You often pray for people immediately upon hearing a need. You still want to pray for every ambulance that goes by, a habit we started when you were just two years old.

You have had to be strong beyond your age the last couple of years, and you have graciously risen to the task. All without a complaint. I never would have foretold that my five year old could be a strength in my time of weakness.

You are, without a doubt, the BEST big sister in the world. The moments that you share with Tennyson are priceless. She adores you, and wants nothing else during the day except to follow you around. If you aren't close by, she wanders around like a lost puppy saying, "Where's my sissy?" You are the one that Tennyson wants first thing in the morning, or when she gets hurt. I love that!


Your affection for spiritual things is also beyond your years. At three years old, your favorite thing to watch was the GOSPEL of JOHN. You had Jesus' miracles memorized in order.

In the last few months, you have begun to ask some deeper questions, and we have wrestled with how difficult it is to fight our sinful nature. You voice your frustration in this, and many times, there is nothing to do but pray. We do a lot of praying. You process things by talking (like your dad), so we also do a lot of talking. I treasure these times.

I love you more than words can say. I could go on and on about how great you are. Most of all, I want to thank God for giving you to us. That He chose for us to be your caretakers on earth is a privilege. I humbly accept the task of directing your precious heart to Him. I love you, Amaya.

Birthday party, Rodeo, Soccer Camp, and Strawberries

(click on collage to enlarge)

Amaya had her 5th birthday party on June 18th. She had most of the girls from her class come, along with some girls from church. Much to my surprise, she wanted a 'hula girl' party. She had no idea what the 'hula' was, so she ended up being very content with a fun Luau theme. We had such a great time. The girls planted flowers in little pots that they decorated with Hawaiian stickers, they broke open a pinata, played in the sandbox, and tried to out do each other on the teeter-totter. It was fun for all the girls to be together again, after having been out of school for a few weeks.
Amaya's birthday isn't until July 3rd, so we look forward to some more celebrating.




Our not-so-little cowgirl. We went to the Sister's Rodeo with my parents. We camped out for the weekend, went to the Rodeo parade, and then to the Rodeo on Saturday night. The girls had a blast. My parents gave Amaya an early birthday present, so she could be decked out for the big event.
She was all smiles when a bunch of people commented on her outfit. She was even more excited when the Rodeo princesses came by, and autographed some pictures for her. I never thought I would be hanging pics of Rodeo princesses in my 5 year old's room. I guess there are worse things...

A movie night for Father's Day. After a BBQ and some strawberry shortcake, we all camped out in the living room for a movie with my dad and John. It'wasn't quite the relaxing evening we envisioned, but fun nonetheless.
Tennyson never sat still for more than 5 minutes.

Amaya loved her soccer camp, despite the excitement that happenned on Tuesday.

There were four girls from Amaya's class at school that were doing the camp. It was fun to get to know the moms better as we sat and watched. Here are all the younger sisters looking on...

The girls and I went and picked strawberries last weekend while John worked. It was cute to see how excited they got. Tennyson was showing everyone that passed us her bucket, saying, Look at how many I got!" She had maybe 10 berries in her very large container.

She probably ate 10 berries for every 1 she picked. Amaya actually was a great help. She picked about three pounds. I was a little over zealous when I was gathering containers at home, and envisioning a freezer full of jam and berries. We picked about 15 pounds in 2 hours.

The results!

We were on out way to a graduation party, and I had to snap this picture of the girls! Sometimes, I still can't believe how blessed we are!