The Schooler's

Happy Mother's Day 2010!  What's the point in keeping a blog going if I don't occasionally publicly write sweet notes to my Beloved?  Today we celebrate Christy and the Mom's in our lives.  I like to think we celebrate them everyday, but it's not so bad to have a special day set aside just for them.

I asked Rebecca to share some thoughts with me on how she's thankful for Mommy, and here's what she had to say in her own words.  I love it when Mommy tucks me in at night.  I'm thankful for her driving me to ballet, swim team and guitar practice.  I'm thankful for all of my "snuggle bunny" time with Mommy, and for Mommy being my teacher this past year.  I like praying with Mommy.  I like it when we sing together as a family, and when we read stories together.  I like that Mommy schedules lots of "play dates" with my friends.  I like that Mommy helps me put my hair in a pony tail and do it all sorts of different ways.  I like when I'm scared or afraid, Mommy holds me, she encourages me, and listens to me.  I really like cooking with Mommy - desserts and chocolate chip pancakes!

Luke was a little more difficult, so I'm taking a little liberty from observation.  I really like how Mommy holds me and makes me feel better if I wake up scared in the morning or from a nap.  When I get hurt (he's a boy after all so that happens frequently), Mommy holds me, and makes whatever hurts feel better.  Mommy is a great friend to play with.  She pushes me on the swing, in the jogging stroller, and watches me ride my tricycle around and around in the house.  Sometimes I run into Mommy on purpose and yell "Powee" - it's fun.  I'm a boy - it's how I express my love and respect to my Mommy.

Me?  I give thanks daily for the gift of being married to Christy.  Her smile still brightens every room that she's in, and she still has a special one for me alone that makes my heart skip a beat.  She's an incredible Mom to our children, providing them unconditional love on a daily basis.  She encourages them to love others and treat them with respect.  I admire that she chose the path less traveled last year and has taught Rebecca from home - an amazing experience for the entire family.  She encourages time out doors playing.  She takes action - it's been almost a year since we turned cable off, and our family is closer as a result.  We spend more time reading together, laughing together, dancing together, walking together, and playing soccer, pirate, baseball and tag outside together.  She enjoys being a part of camping outside together - even if it's sometimes just in our backyard (and a little chilly Brrrrr).  Most importantly - she passionately pursues a relationship with Jesus Christ.  She spends time in prayer for our kids and with them.  The love that she shares with our children is from the overflow of the love that she receives - pure, perfect, unconditional love.

On Mother's Day and every other day in the year, I'm thankful for Christy.  I'm also thankful for my own Mom.  She raised my older brother, twin sister and me and kept our home grounded.  It wasn't easy to have three kiddo's under three years old.  She did more than just manage.  We didn't lack for love in our home growing up.  Mom was always willing to stay up late and talk about life and hear what was going on.  She was firm when we needed it, and there were plenty of times that I did - I know shocking!  She was and is always proud of her children.  I'm thankful for my own Mom today, the love that she provided to me in my own life, and the love she shares for Christy and my family.

I'm also uniquely blessed with two mothers-in-law, Mimi and Baby.  They are a part of our lives and family here in Austin, and we love them.  Mimi lives just around the corner, and loves having all of her children and grandchildren around the house.  She's the first person we call when we need a babysitter and sometimes she even calls us so we can go on a date.

So to all of my Mom's, and especially to my Bride, Happy Mother's Day 2010!