To All The Women Who Have Loved Me Well

These two love me so well. I'm so glad that God saw fit to make them mine. Happy Mother's Day, y'all! As I think about mothering these two little ladies and helping them grow into the women that God has created them to be, I'm reminded of the precious women who did the same for me.

On this Mother's Day, I'm thankful not just for my mama and my mother-in-law, but also for all the women who have loved me and shaped me over the years. I had the sweet privilege of teaching an older ladies' Sunday school class this morning. After class one of the women (who happened to be my assistant second grade teacher) came up to me and spoke some encouragement over me. It blessed my heart in big ways.

The truth is that I wouldn't be who I am without the influence of the countless godly women who have "mothered" me throughout my life. I've been so blessed by their encouragement and wisdom, and I can't imagine how I would have turned out if they hadn't taken the time to pour into me. The Lord certainly knew what he was doing when he brought us together.

Who are you thankful for today? Who has loved you well and "mothered" you over the years?

Until next time, grace and peace.

My Girls and Me

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a good picture of a 3-year-old who can't be still and an 11-month-old who's easily distracted?

Exceedingly difficult.

That's why I settled for this as the best photo of me and my girls on Mother's Day. It's not perfect. For one, Dennis is lurking in the background. In addition to Dennis' inadvertent cameo, both Micah and Kendall seem determined to look at anything but the camera. And finally, it's glaringly obvious that I need to get my hair colored.

Despite all of that, I love this picture.

I'm usually behind the lens, so even if the photo isn't perfect, I'll take it, because I'm in it, and one day, my girls will appreciate it. It's also a perfect portrait of this stage of our lives. Both of my girls are just being themselves, and as much as I would love a snapshot of us all smiling at the camera, I really do want to remember what they were like at this point in time.

I used to think that a picture wasn't worth keeping if it wasn't perfect, but sometimes, perfect isn't possible. Real life is crazy and messy, and it's not always picture perfect. Our life is crazy and messy, and it's far from perfect, but it is beautiful.

Here's to keeping it real, y'all. That's what this blog is all about. If you're looking for perfection, you should go somewhere else. Now go post your less than perfect photos and link back to them here. I want to see your messy life, in all of its glory :)

Until next time, grace and peace.

Only One Mother in the Whole World

Mama and me, circa 1982

I know that the big day isn't until Sunday, but I didn't want to wait until then. I'll never be able to thank you for everything you've done for me over the past 30 years, and I hope you know that I wouldn't trade you for any other mother in the entire world. You're the only one I want.

“Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends—but only one mother in the whole world.”

—Kate Douglas Wiggin

Love you, Mama.