Gifts of Motherhood

We are cruising through spring.  And thank goodness pollen season is almost behind us.  I've lived in this part of the country for over 20 years and yet every spring it boggles my mind how, for about a 3 week stretch, thick powdery pollen seems to cover every square inch of every single thing.  It has turned the day we pressure wash the house, into one of my favorite days of year.  Something about washing it all away, renews my soul...and my nasal passages. :)  But apart from the pollen, it's a good season....full of all the things that spring brings....planting season on the farm....baseball season for the boys....getting together with friends as the warmer weather welcomes us back outside for fires and picnics...beautiful sunrises....and counting down the days until our our oldest boy officially wraps up his high school career.  Gulp.  My heart is so full of a contrast of emotions....so incredibly proud and ready for this next chapter...while at the same time realizing that he is a grown adult and a chapter is also closing. Shew....it's a roller coaster...but that's motherhood.  Loving them to the very best of our ability....showing them Jesus in every way we can....and then little by little, letting them go....and watching them become exactly who God created them to be.  

What a gift it is to be a mom....and I'm so grateful for reminders as I go throughout my days.

Like the time I got in my car and saw this...

a tiny Jesus figurine placed strategically right over my steering wheel because the youngest thought I, "might just need to see a little Jesus." 

Or the time we stood in the freezing cold in the parking lot of the DMV, waiting for them to open, so we could be first in line to get his drivers license, because he's that student

 that does not want to miss a minute of school.  

Or the times we wake up early on Saturday mornings to make homemade donuts because one of my children shares in the joy I have for making treats for the people we love!

Or the times that this one will say, "mom let's take a selfie"...and never seem to tire of them.

And when they agree to take a picture on Easter morning, not because they want to, but because they know it will make me happy.

And when the oldest gets to learn how to operate a new piece of machinery on the farm

or when he hits his first homerun of his high school career.

and when everyone is out doing their own thing and it's just me and this guy, it's as if he says, "it's ok mom, you've still got me!" Ha!

And when I continue to wake up to mornings like this...

and am reminded that the God who painted that sky is the same God who holds their future's in His hands.  What a gift indeed, to be a momma.