All right, girls, I just have to brag about my treatment this Mother's Day … I was awakened (twice, I fell asleep again) to a beautiful strawberries and whip cream'd waffle on the back porch with no less than a mimosa on the side, there to view my gorgeous gift, a beautiful bird feeder for the back yard (yes, Susan, you gave me the idea!).

All was lovely until the community irrigation system kicked in. Having no control over the misting, I enjoyed a lovely pre-bath rinse and then rescued the feeder, which was being soaked by the water. (Moldy bird food is no good!) Need to overcome that obstacle. Anyway, it makes a great story. (-= The waffles, by the way, were prepared by my daughters, who are being trained by their father to be much better in the kitchen than I will ever hope to be (those of you who know me, stop laughing.) Randy had already left for worship team warmups at Northland.

Church was great and the message very timely as God always seems to have it, and can I just tell you that I love watching my husband up there singing with those awesome performers? He is rediscovering his voice, which he has never thought was his best quality, but those Disney guys up there like it just fine. Who knew? (Me!) And guitar will certainly be an opportunity for him, in time. He loves what he does and he worships with all his heart, just as he always has. I got to go back to the Green Room and be introduced to the singers afterward as a "special" treat, which actually made me very nervous. Too much talent in the room!

At home, I was sent to my room (yahoo!) while the kids prepared some of lunch and Dad finished second service. I was escorted out by Christianna, whose introduction was every bit as entertaining as Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. Cracked me up!

The kids had accessorized with as much gold as humanly possible and made a beautiful table, along with tall candles and pictures of Mom, which made for a few tears and more I didn't want to shed at the time. Mom would have been proud of them.

And she would have loved the beautiful food, too. Scallops, veggies and mushrooms in an alfredo sauce over pasta (to die for) and salads with not just iceberg, but European lettuce (I couldn't tell which was which). My favorite el-cheapo spumante was a perfect compliment, with Spanish flan and Cool Whip (the kind with real cream!) for dessert. You know me, just back up the whipped cream truck! Spoiled!

I needed this kind of a reminder that mothering is worth it this year. This has been the hardest year of all, with the beginning of teen emotions and the involvement of another family and boy with very different ideas about relationships. I never knew being a mom could hurt so much. My eyes have sometimes ached from crying, and I miss an openness in my daughter's eyes that took a vacation when we cut the unhealthy relationship off. Will she ever look at me that way again? That's in God's hands.

At the same time, Pastor Joel encouraged me today with the word that our job as parents is to put our teenage children's bodies in the right places at the right times, even if they don't necessarily follow emotionally at the time. That's what we've done and now we pray. And pray. If you're in a similar place, my heart goes out to you. God is faithful, let's keep reminding each other!

On a lighter note, I'd like to share with you the words on my Mother's Day card:

M is for the moments you didn't smack me when you could have.

O is for the outrageous things I did I never should have.

T is for the tribulations mothers have to live through.

H is for the heart attacks I sometimes tried to give you.

E is for expressions you taught me NOT to say, and

R is for the great respect I have for you today!

(I don't deserve such a wonderful mother!)

To which we all would shout, "Amen!!" (-=

Loving all of you and wishing you a lovely day, with all its emotions.