To Mom

Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful woman who birthed me into this world! You fed, changed, bathed, clothed, rocked, taught me how to eat macaroni, helped me learn to walk and go potty in the big girl toilet. You taught me to read, write, add, subtract, multiply and divide. You gave your best efforts to teach me that a plus b equals c even though I cried every day those first few weeks of Algebra. By example, you taught me how a wife and mother should keep her house, treat her husband, nourish her children, hold her tongue and love her Jesus. You were there when I became a Mom and at my side those first few weeks when I had no idea what I was doing with a newborn. The day I had Brookie, my love and appreciation for you grew more as we now had a special bond--we were both Mommies. I can call you anytime and you always ease my fears--whether one of the kids is sick, has a weird rash, is getting up at night, or being just plain bad, you always have the right thing to say. Not surprisingly, you are always right! You have wisdom beyond any woman I have ever known and I don't know what I would do without your quiet and gentle support in my life. I've said it before but I'll say it again: You are my hero, Mom. I love you more than you know. I rise up and call you blessed and wish you the happiest Mother's Day today!

So This is Love...

He was laying in the sand, mostly covered in it from the kids burying their daddy. The kids had lost interest and moved on to something else while I watched them, making sure they didn't wander too far away or go too deep into the water. Most of the morning had been like that and it was fine with me--we brought the kids to the beach for Easter weekend and I was more than happy to focus on them and make sure they were safe and having fun. I couldn't help but think of our honeymoon and the fun we had playing in the waves, his strong arms wrapped around me, keeping me from floating too far away from him. It's different now--we have kids to take care of and can't just leave them to fend for themselves so there was no swimming and playing for us yet.
 But he just looked so handsome and strong and I couldn't resist. I thought of our honeymoon and I didn't want that spark to be any different than it was at this moment.
 I jumped out of my chair, went and leaned over and started making out with my husband.
(Yes, I did. I'm married and we are allowed and as our Pastor says, "Christians should be the most making out couples in the world" :)
 Nate was surprised and laughed as I kissed him for a few more seconds and then ran into the water, squealing because it was so cold. He got out from under the pile of sand and ran after me, his blue eyes twinkling while he smiled and looked and me with so much love in his eyes I felt like my heart could burst. He wrapped his arms around me as he carried me a little deeper in to the water to protect me from floating too far away from him. My sister was with us so she kept an eye on the kids while we played in the the waves, getting sprayed with salt water, flirting, laughing and yes-kissing a little more. It was different than 5 years ago when we did it--my eyes wandered to the kids occasionally, making sure they were OK. We couldn't stay out there as long as we wanted, but the love and the passion between us was just as strong as it was when we were first married. Really, it's much stronger than it was then but sometimes it takes a little moment like that to realize it.
 Our lives get very wrapped up in our kids--feeding, bathing, entertaining, training and loving--but sometimes you just have to get up, realize the kids will be fine and go make out with that handsome man you married. Because he deserves it, you deserve it and your marriage deserves it.