I want to remember these little hands

Usually, the Sunday before Mother's Day, I panic. WHAT AM I GOING TO SEND MY MOM AND GRANDMAS???? But this year, people kept asking me, "Are you doing anything fun for Mother's Day gifts?" I started thinking early! I knew I wanted to incorporate hand prints, but I knew that Nora was not ready to participate in a bunch of paint hand prints. I was sure I'd MAYBE get one good one and the rest would not resemble a hand print at all.

I want to remember their little hands. I wash them daily. They hold my fingers and touch my face. They reach for me to pick them up. They clap when they are excited. The do the motions to their Bible verses. They help me pick up toys. I spend a lot of time looking at these little hands.

I decided to stitch their hand prints on tea towels. I know that these hands won't stay little forever. And I wanted the moms in our lives to have a way to remember those little fingers.

I purchased red striped tea towels at Walmart (2 pack for $1.97). I traced the kid's hands on paper and cut out the shapes. After tracing the hand onto the towel, I stitched around the outline with embroidery thread.

If I was super focused, each towel only took about 30 minutes to complete. I added the year at the bottom of the towel, and I designated who's hand was who's with their initial.

Hudson helped me color the cards for each of the mom's in our lives. I signed each note "Love, Nana's Helping Hands - Hudson and Nora" or "Love, "Grammy's Helping Hands - Hudson and Nora." It was a memorable but inexpensive way to capture the memory of my kid's hand prints and let these ladies know how much they mean to us!

Since Hudson was born, I've taken pictures with him on the deck every Mother's Day. I decided to try to have Jeremiah take our pictures before church this morning. Despite the bright sun light, I hoped to have a few images to remember this day. And I thought we might not all be dressed in the same outfits after church.  Spills happen a lot at this stage in our life.

I am so thankful for these two little blessings that the Lord has given me to raise.

Although some days (and nights) are super long, I still think being their mom is the best job in the world.

I am so thankful that my husband works so hard, allowing me to stay home with our babies. Each moment with them is a gift, and I appreciate his sacrifice.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a mom. I know I had the best mom ever - and I always dreamed of having the opportunity to love and nurture kids of my own. She taught me so much by her words and example. I pray I am able to influence my children they way she influences me.

So whether it's wiping fingers or picking up cheerios...I have decided that these are some of the best days of my life.

And some of the sweetest words I heard all day came from Hudson... "Happy Mudder's Day, Mom...I wuv you!"

I am so thankful that the Lord picked me to be Hudson and Nora Lynn's mommy. 

Teach them. Train them. Guide Them.

Mother's Day - the perfect day to celebrate the wonderful life I have.

Though some days may seem long, and I may grow tired, I will forever be grateful for this little boy and for the opportunity I have to be his mother.

Even our pastor's message this morning was the perfect reminder of the privilege the Lord has given me. I have the distinct task of nurturing Hudson (and his soon-to-arrive sister). By being there for him and encouraging him, I can build him up and guide him spiritually.

Our pastor reminded us, as parents, to:
1. Get them involved in church
2. Have family devotions, which will set the spiritual tone for our family
3. Take advantage of teachable moments. Our values are caught more often then taught.
4. Pray for them and over them, for it's how they will see our love for them and our love for the Lord.

"...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Eph. 6:4

As I took Hudson (and my baby girl too, I guess) for a walk today, I thought about a verse that was read at church this morning. 

"Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you're sitting together in your home...

...and when you're walking together down the road...

...Make them the last thing you talk about before you go to bed and the first thing you talk about the next morning." Deut. 6:7

I was challenged today to make sure I am pointing Hudson towards the Lord each day. Whether its playing and singing Christian songs, reading him Bible stories, etc. - I know that I can do more. 

If I am pointing Hudson towards Christ all throughout the day, I feel that I can't help but be encouraged myself. Instead of feeling weary from the tasks before me, I might instead find myself encouraged by the extra Bible reading and Christian songs. I foresee this choice affecting our entire family.

Will any other moms join me in this challenge? 

PS - Apparently, Hudson's Mother's Day uniform is a white polo and plaid shorts...I didn't even notice until after our little photo shoot.  (Last Mother's Day)

It's a different Mother's Day...

I've celebrated Mother's Day all my life. I praise the Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful, godly mom.

 It has also been a day to praise the Lord for my awesome grandmothers.  I've said it before - my family is fantastic! I love celebrating those special ladies on this special holiday. I am so thankful for their influence.

All those little things that my mom has taught me through the years has molded me into the woman I am today.

"As for you, Titus, promote the kind the living that reflects wholesome teaching...

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors god. They must not slander

others or be heavy drinkers. Instead they should teach others what is good. These older 

women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their

children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good,

and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.

Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will 

be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us."

Titus 2:1, 3-5, 7-8

"I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when 

I laid my hands on you."

2 Timothy 1:5-6

But this year, Mother's Day was totally different...because of this little guy.

This year, I was able to celebrate BEING a mom.

All those long nights of lost  sleep are worth it when my baby smiles at me.

When he snuggles when he is sleepy or giggles at my kisses, my heart melts.

I thank the Lord for the mighty privilege of raising Hudson. Even now, I am trying to fill his life with good things - reading Bible stories together, singing Christian songs to him, taking him to church, praying with him and for him.

Even this morning, I prayed that he would come to love Jesus soon! I will do all I can to lead him in that direction. I pray that he sees that Jesus is important to me. What a privilege to influence this little life. I see it as more than just someone who needs me to feed and care for him - it's a life that I have the opportunity to influence - it's a little boy that I hope to raise to be a godly man.

Thank you, Hudson, for the opportunity to be your mom. I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!