Parent Rap

My Mom has a rapper name.

She's 64 years old, 5 feet tall, and she goes by G-Tam.

She's awesome!

She, however, did not make the Parent Rap.

Whoever these guys are who DID make it -- they're awesome, too. I wonder if they have rapper names?

Enjoy!

Mom's Hands

My hands get pretty beat up doing this mothering business. I don't bother to pay for a manicure because the paint job would just get ruined before my husband would get home from work and be able to appreciate it.

Here's a fairly nasty wound I got while trying to secure my daughter's car seat in the van:

Over the several weeks that it took for this boo-boo to heal, it was just-so-Jesus-like that it made me think a lot about how motherhood is a partnership with the Savior.

Oh, now, don't worry -- I know that I'm nothing in terms of any sort of comparison! While I strive to be Christ-like, I recognize that it is only through Christ's power that I can follow his example, and that I'll always fall short... However, I also know that he has invited us, even commanded us, to become more like him -- and if the closest I can get is a sliver of skin removed from the same general area as his nail prints, so be it.

The physical depth of my wound in contrast with the full piercing of his wounds might be close to the spiritual reality. He did the actual atonement, but he lets me play a small part in bringing my children closer to him. My suffering when I am working with a child's infractions and disobedience is, well, miniscule compared to his... I recognize that! I know my work as a mother is really only possible because of his great sacrifice.

In the metaphor of my owie, I received it when I was trying to keep my child safe from harm -- just as Christ's hands were injured in a similar act for our spiritual safety. Wow.

I'm thankful that mothering brings me closer to him -- even if it includes some pain! It helps me appreciate his love all the more. I love him and want to encourage my children to love him!

All I ever needed to know, I learned from Grama Sue

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. We went out to dinner tonight -- and she looked dashing in her orange shirt and lovely scarf --  much younger than her 56 years. She is a wonderful woman who raised three fantastic children, one of whom I am so in love with that I cry tears of joy to be married to him! She is also an incredibly gifted grandmother -- sometimes I cry tears of envy that she's not my grandmother. :)

In tribute to her, I would like to publish a little essay I've been working on:

All I Ever Really Needed to Know, I Learned From Grama Sue

Hug!
Hug when you arrive!
Hug when you leave!
Hug the child you just punished...
Love is spelled T-I-M-E.
Magic is spelled D-I-S-N-E-Y-L-A-N-D.
Read good books to children while holding them on your lap (the children, not the books)
Some things are more important than money (like a cabin in Brighton)
If you aren't snorting, it's not a real laugh.
Volunteer!
Have something yellow in every room of the house.
Make special efforts to make the house smell good... like, bake cookies! Or "Scentsy"-tize
Listen for clues for good gifts for birthdays/Christmas -- and wrap them beautifully.
Live theater is a treasure worth supporting!
Wipe & Flush & Wash your hands...
...and keep strongly-scented soap in the bathrooms as a way to check!
Frame photos (not just portraits) and display them.
Scrapbook!
Spend less than you earn.
Be willing to serve the Lord however He requests.
Grama will love you even if you're as goofy as Grampa
Grama will love you even if you're as onery as her cat
Grama will love you even if you don't dust as often as she does
Forgiveness.
Relax!

Thank you, Grama! I am striving to learn each and every lesson! You are wonderful and I'm so grateful you're my second mom!