Somehow the years have kept moving us all along. Seasons passing. I turn around and the baby just finished preschool (at home of course). The oldest is finishing 9th grade. What? How am I here already? Where was I all the days between their birth and now? Five beautiful births. 10 years of my life producing eternal beings. I was present, and involved and hugging and loving and training, and laughing, and crying. Yes, crying...I am an emotional being.

     I am not the mother of babies anymore. I am that middle aged mom with older kids. Not older, like college, and marriage. Older...in the sense that my "baby" will enter kindergarten next year. There are no more diapers, no more little ones on the hip, no more car seats, and midnight feedings. No more maternity clothes, and pack and plays and snuggles in the rocker. No more mid day naps with nursing babes. All that is gone.

Time is spent training in a different way now. Training in the life skills that will be needed to be an adult. Lots of talks, and walking out a life they can model and hopefully learn and glean from.

      Days are filled with all manner of school, youth group, cross-fit, more school, more talks, listening to their dreams and desires for the future. I try to keep the little ones little, while helping the olders grow up and learn more responsibility as they blossom with education, and new job opportunities.

     Help is the word a mother needs every day. Not necessarily in the physical realm...by now I should have that under control...but help from on High. Guidance and direction from the Creator of these precious beings, who have been entrusted to me. Help in how to love deeply, yet course correct, and say no when the situation arises. Help to be an example in how to be a proverbs 31 woman that my girls will desire to be, and a loving wife and mother that my sons will desire in a wife one day.

     Mother's Day is every day. From becoming a new mom, to a mom of many, to a mom of older ones...and eventually to a mom who says good bye as her babies leave the nest. I know I am not there quite yet, but let me turn around and I will be. The days will be done. My job complete.

     So, to all the mothers out there, each on our own journey with our babies (young or old), depend on Him with all your might. He will see us through. Through the changes of the seasons, when you don't want to let that phase go... it will be ok. He is there all the while giving strength when you may not even know it. Enjoy the ride. Every good and perfect gift is from the Father of Lights. The gift of motherhood and all things children...be blessed.

It's been a while unfortunately since I have written. Life has been moving right along with ups and downs, highs and lows, ebbs a flows. I have felt so often that I wanted to write. I felt that I wanted to share, but just couldn't. But here I am now. I will not look back and try to catch up or fill in the gaps, and the missing posts. I am going to move forward. That is our family motto..."Keep moving forward!"

~Ivy Joy watching big brother practice piano~

~Angelic, fun, Ivy Joy~

It's a new year-twenty days into this new year- and I am looking forward to all God has in store for my little family. I want to continue to do my best to mold and shape and form our children's growing hearts. Time moves forward and what my little ones needed last January has changed in what they need this January.

~My precious boy and his lego menorah~

~enjoying climbing trees, and all that is, being nine~

Some things they will always need from Mommy and Daddy, but we are always observing the changes in our children, and what they need today. The joy they continue to give is overwhelming sometimes. I feel so thankful for the busy days.

~My oldest. Dare I say, she is a tween.~

 I feel thankful to hear their conversations of silly stories, made up jokes, compliments to each other, grand adventures they will, one day, take together. I feel responsible to teach them in their studies and in the way of the Lord. It's a weighty yet heavenly job.




Everyone is tucked in for the night. The house is quiet, as my Love is still at work. Will be home soon. It was a good day. Lots of hugs, stories, baths, haircuts, school work, piano practice, meals prepped and eaten and cleaned up. Lots of diaper changing. Lots of living.