Celebrating a Decade of Motherhood

This year I celebrated my 10th Mother's Day as a mom, and it was one of the best yet. My son kicked off Mother's Day weekend with this Mother's Day gift which he made at school.  It has to be the most awesome flower I have ever received.

Honey, I shrunk the kid!

On my first Mother's Day as a mom with a newborn, we dedicated our daughter at church followed by a family celebration.  10 years later, my daughter, mom, spiritual mom and I all celebrated together again at a formal high tea at our church. I hosted a table, but my mother and daughter helped tremendously with all the table preparations.

The saying is true, "The days are long, but the years go by so fast. "  It seems like I blinked and 10 years went by.  What a blessing it has been to be a daughter of such an amazing woman (Gift #594) and a mother to such a talented, loving, and kind daughter (Gift #595). 

When I was in college, I had the privilege of calling someone else "Mom" along with hundreds of others students who looked to this godly woman for spiritual nurture and Biblical wisdom.  I felt a special connection with her, for we were both adopted into loving homes through closed adoption, both have similar spiritual gifts, and both had similar passions and goals in life.  She and her husband poured their lives, hearts, time, wallets, and their home into the college ministry at our church hosting hundreds of people each week for dinner, prayer, teaching, and worship.  Oh how I love this sweet couple who still welcome me with open arms and big hugs whenever I drop by to visit.  It was a special privilege to have my Titus 2 mom sitting beside me at the mother/daughter High Tea held by the women's ministry at my church (Gift #596

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." (Titus 2:3-5)

As a former buyer and Vice-President for an upscale retail store who now works as an interior designer, she appreciates a nice presentation and always pulls out her best table decor and newly polished silver for guests.  So, it was a pleasure to be the one serving her for a change (Gift #597).

What a saint my precious mother has been to me all these years.  When she found out I would be hosting a table at this tea, she insisted on sharing her more colorful floral china for our table.  The other guests at our table loved it.  Instead of letting me serve her, she helped me tremendously in greeting guests, making sure the table looked just right, and cleaning up afterwards. I'm not sure my mother knows how to be served, for she is always up and about taking care of everyone else's needs.  What a gift her servant heart has been to so many over the years! (Gift #598)

I really appreciated that special time with my daughter that morning (Gift #599).  She is usually a typical tomboy with her hair uncombed or pulled back into a low pony tail and donning unkempt sporty clothes.  She made a special effort that morning, however, to look really nice for the tea party, and I was shocked that she chose such an old fashioned, feminine dress for the event.  And she was an amazing helper with all the hosting.  She served happily without complaint.  It was a Mother's Day miracle (Gift #600).  I jest, for she is a sweet daughter, but the gift is in realizing how pleasant our time can be together when we slow down, look into each others eyes, and simply take time to treasure one another.

So our professional portraits were not very flattering at all, but I cannot blame the photographer for that. It is what it is when one reaches her 40s. I think the natural sunlight accented our imperfections, and Mom wasn't happy about her glasses looking dark for the pictures, but that's what they were designed to do in bright sunlight.  The invitations, program, and table decor were all so lovely and creative.  All the many committees involved in this event put so much thought and artistic talent into the details to make the tea party so beautiful and delightful.

They even made sure that each child attending received a boa, tiara, goodie bag, crayons, and activity place mat designed by yet another committee.  My daughter made sure that Nana and I each got a chance to wear her tiara.

The next morning, the kids "just happened" to pick out outfits that coordinated with mine, so we had to take a Mother's Day photo even if I did give my flat iron the day off for Mother's Day.  What gifts these children are.  Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of being called "Mom".

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.