Friends Forever

Today, Katherine Lash writes about her mom, Karen.

This month I’ve been hearing,

“Mother’s Day is nearing!”

Now, to add some spice,

I will be EXTRA nice!

Mom, you’ve raised me perfectly from the start.

Just for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Without you, I would not be the person that I am now.

So go on – take a bow!

You truly deserve a round of applause.

Because in my eyes, you have no flaws.

We understand each other very well, you see.

I call you my best friend and that’s just how it should be.

We laugh, smile and cry together.

We are so alike; definitely friends forever.

Who’s the person I’ve always looked up to?

You! That’s who!

While this poem is significant to Mother’s Day…

You’re always special to me, not just one Sunday in May.

I’ll never be able to explain how much I love you,

But I’ll continue to remind you, every day, that I do.

Simply put – Mom, you’re the best.

It’s your special day, so go ahead and rest.

I love you Mom with all my heart,

In my life, you are a major part.

Love,

Your Daughter,

Katherine Melissa Lash

Reflecting Christ

Today's blogger is Joshua Benedict.  His mom is Pam.

Ah, it's that time of year again. The sun shining, the flowers blooming, the birds singing, school almost out and Mother's day? What? 

That's often how Mother's day sneaks up on me at our house. Life just keeps spinning and then all of the sudden its upon you! Mother's day! What that looks like for us is a day Mommy reads the newspaper, doesn't cook, takes a bubble bath and just enjoys life. It's a well deserved day off for someone on full time duty 24/7. A never ending cycle for eighteen years or more if you have kids. Her's will last twenty seven years by the time Katie is out of the house. And she will get a total of twenty seven days off that are nationally recognized. Only twenty seven?? Just another reason to be thankful for what your mother has down in her lifetime.

What makes my mother special? She doesn't try to hide that she's human, and I mean this with all sincerity. Lots of times, parents try to cast the perfect shadow and the kids grow up thinking adults might be perfect...an image they shed once puberty hits. Other parents try to cover up their mistakes by blaming the kids or removing themselves from the situation. My mother confronts her faults and admits she's wrong. Then she gives us a hug and kiss, and says she's trying to reflect Christ in every way possible. Now that, my friends, is a reason to "Honor your father and mother" – Ephesians 6:2. Someone who is as loving and nurturing as is possible for a human, who messes up occasionally and is not afraid to admit it, a quality that I, being a guy, struggle with sometimes, okay more often than not. But having that great smile and warm house to come home to after a long practice for basketball or school choir is well worth it. We're all human and we all make mistakes, so how about this year we make one LESS mistake, and remember our mothers. You have an earthly father and a heavenly father, but there is only one mother! 

Dear, Mom 
Thanks for bearing me into this world! Your kindness, friendship, parenting, love and food have made my life better every single day! I only have about 2 years left in our household, but the last 16 I can't think of a better mom. Your testimony, along with Dad's, of staying pure until marriage is one I plan on staying on track with until I am married. I know you can't wait to see that happy day, on which you will most likely cry, but you will have 3 boys by that time to wipe your tears and engulf you with humongous hugs, Steve, Josh and Justin. The girls love you too as well! Haha can't forget them! They have a wonderful role model for young girls to follow, and we all can't appreciate you enough. So with that in mind, relax! We've got the cooking, sit back and take that bubble bath you've been waiting to soak in for a year. The Benedict family loves and cares for their Mother. Happy Mother's day Mom! 

-Josh

An Example Through Thick and Thin

Ariana Fowler Cook is the writer for this post.

You, mother, are an example to me

You have taught me the fundamentals

Of being a good mother

By being the best that you can be!

You have taught me how to be a good wife

By taking such good care of the

Father all of us adore

You have taught us the importance of life!

You kept our family as one

Despite the thick and thin

We do not make life easy for you

And we know your job is never done.

We appreciate all you do

Despite not always showing it

You have given us life

And for that we owe you!

A Winner and More Chances to Win!!!

Our first giveaway went to Carolyn Lincoln and she is the proud new owner of Susan Wallace's book....http://www.amazon.com/Mix-100-Muffins-Love-Food/dp/1445462591  Congratulations, Carolyn!!  We know you will be blessed by the wonderful words of encouragement in the book:)

This week's giveaway is another book, but it's a cook book!  100 Muffins From 1 Easy Recipe, just in time for Mother's Day.  Here's the link and looking at the pictures, I want to eat every one right now!  http://www.amazon.com/Mix-100-Muffins-Love-Food/dp/1445462591

Remember to leave a comment and you can be in the running for the next prize.

Happy Monday, y'all, and God bless your day!

God Gave Me You

Sara Rennie is the writer of this post honoring her mother, Kim.

My mother and have a great relationship, and friendship, too. Now I'm not saying we don't have our fights now and then because we do. The good thing is we can never stay mad at each other for longer than a day. She's always there when I need her, like if I'm having boy troubles or friend troubles I go right to her. I may not like what she has to say, but I know that she is probably right. 
She has taught me so much. She has taught me to be a respectable woman as well as a silly individual and to always be true to myself. I do not know what I could possibly do without her. She does so much for me and for everyone and barely has any time for herself. My mother isn't perfect, but she is imperfectly perfect for me and the rest of my family. I love her. Happy Mother’s Day Mom.

May is for Moms

Jackie Funes writes about her mom, Yanni Rivera

Moms are the ones that carried you in their tummies for nine months. They are the ones that can come the closest to showing us God’s unconditional love. My mom for sure has taught me some of the most valuable things in life that I couldn’t have learned without her. She show’s me how to be strong in difficult situations. I am SO thankful for my mother for everything that she has done for me. I know I am blessed to have her in my life and I couldn’t imagine having anyone else take her place as my mother.

“I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my mommy you’ll be.”

             

                                                                                             Proverbs 31: 25-29

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’”

My mother loves me with all her heart, This I know not because of the things she buys but the love and affection she expresses. She makes me proud to say that I’ll be mommy’s little girl forever.
                                     

Cheering Me On!

I love my mom because she always looks out for me. I sometimes might not always understand why she does certain things, but in the end I know it is to protect me. She is very involved in every activity I do and always is there to cheer me on. Her last three birthdays in a row, she has been at rehearsal with me. Talk about sacrifice!
In February, she even drove me eleven and a half hours just to try out for cheer! She was with me every step of the way trying to help me as much she could. 
All in all, even though we disagree sometimes I always know she just wants what is best for me. She's really pretty and makes me laugh too. After everything she has done for me, I could never repay her. All I can tell her is, I love you.