My Special Mother's Day

In the middle of my eighth grade year, our family moved from Wichita, Kansas, to Arlington, Texas.  God had called my dad from being a CPA in his own firm into ministry.  My parents said yes to the Lord's leading and we moved away from all of our family and friends to Texas.  A few months after being in Texas, we made the trip back to Kansas to visit my grandparents.  I remember the visit like it was yesterday.  Smells of delicious Sunday dinners and Palmolive dish soap often take me back to precious visits with my grandparents.

On that visit, I remember my sweet mom leaving a note for her mom to find telling her that, "Our cup was full and overflowed."  She was telling her mom how much the visit renewed and refreshed all of us...and I've never forgotten that note.

Yesterday was my "cup overflowed" day.  My day started with my precious daughters rushing into the kitchen to tell me, "Happy Mother's Day," and that they loved me soooooo much.  Oh, how I love them too. They surprised me with two cds of my favorite Christian artists and an amazing card (I am such a card person!).  Being their Momma is one of the most precious gifts, next to Jesus, that God has given me.  I told them that I had dreamed and prayed for them my whole life and God blessed and blessed...and being their momma is better than my best dream, even better than I hoped and imagined. 

Mr. Incredible was sweet to offer to make breakfast and to tell me how much he loves me and the momma that I am to his daughters.  He sweetly helped me set the dining room table for my parents who were having lunch with us after church.

I have to tell you that I marinated a brisket the night before, and the smells of the brisket in the oven, the baked potatoes, and the rolls filled my house with delicious smells and fond memories of my childhood...days where my mom would make dinner for us and for her family....days where joy and laughter permeated every room in our house....where bellies were full from delicious foods and hearts were filled to overflowing with love. Memories to cherish.

I love this picture of my mom and I:

I am so blessed to have a Godly mother, who fiercely loves the Lord and her family with all of her heart.  She may be only 5'2 (on her tiptoes) but her heart is at least twice as tall.  She loves like no other! I knew growing up that I wanted to be just like her...and now as a mom myself, I still feel the same way.  God shines so beautifully through her.

We have shared so many joys...and sorrows...good times....and hard times....but her love and wisdom have remained a wonderful constant in my life. 

This is a picture of the girls and I with my mom at a Ladies Spring Celebration at church.  Look how young we all are (I think I am even wearing white pantyhose-remember those days?!): 

And this picture will always be one of my favorites.  Three generations who all love the Lord together in one of our favorite places on earth. 

We all enjoyed the sweet fellowship and food (except the tea-how hard is it to make iced tea!) and I treasured every second and every one around my dining room table and the specialness of using my Granny's (my mom's mom) china and crystal.  My house smelled just like her house...delicious food prepared and china carefully washed in Palmolive. 

The day didn't end there.  After a delightful two hour nap, it was time to get ready for a shrimp boil.  I wanted to honor my mother-in-law too.  Aunt Sissie, Uncle G, our two nephews, Mr. Incredible's parents, and Mr. Incredible's great Aunt and Uncle joined us for a shrimp boil.  And by the way, I made sun-tea to serve with our dinner, and it was way better than the murk I brewed on the stove for lunch (I can make tea after all-yeah!).  

Mr. Incredible was so proud to have everyone over and to celebrate his mom and his sister on Mother's Day.  He told me later that having everyone over to sit around our kitchen table and to see his mom's homemade Coconut Cream Pie (her meranque was awesome-sorry I don't have a picture) served with coffee took him back to dinners around his Mammaw and Pappaw's table.  Love that! 

We all enjoyed sweet conversations and lots of shrimp ( we have enough left over for dinner tonight) and sweet fellowship. 

A day to remember....and treasure...and to thank the Lord for.  What a blessing to be surrounded by family on Mother's Day.  My cup is filled to overflowing with thankfulness to the One who made it all possible.  Oh, He gives good gifts to His children!