Always Around

Mystique Ro loves how her mother Nicole is there when she needs her.

My mother is always around just at the moment I need her

she watched me get hosed down by my brothers on the deck

she marveled at me as I flipped a bike over my head and crashed on the pavement

she bandaged my elbow when I scraped it on the sidewalk

she made soup for me when I got my braces and couldn't chew

My mother is always around at the moment I need her

she laughed with me when we saw funny videos
she hugged me when I was feeling really low
she talked to me when I needed wise words
she encouraged me when I doubted myself.

My mother is always around at the moment I need her because she always supported me when I felt like I was alone, and she always will.

Adoptive Love

        Being a mom involves your whole heart.  Our children are among the most precious gifts that God has given to us .   We love our kids with all we have and with that love comes sacrifice and vulnerability.   Adopting mommies are no exception.   God grows a love in our hearts for children who were not born from us, but capture our whole hearts just the same.  At the beginning it is just the idea of them that we love.  And then we get to that spectacular, long awaited moment where we receive a picture and a description of that special one who is to be ours.  A moment that takes our breath away and that we will never forget.   Then a truly agonizing wait begins as we are forced to watch this beautiful child,  OUR beautiful child,  grow and hit milestones from afar as we work and wait for the day when we get to take them in our arms forever and bring them home.
 A dear friend and a wonderful mommy in our church, Jennifer Blaschke, is experiencing this right now.  She is to be the mommy of 4 soon.  3 are home but 1 is very far away.  A sweet baby boy in Uganda is waiting for his mommy to come and take him home.    And his mommy is waiting, waiting, her heart so full and ready, to go and get him.

The Blaschke family is having a fundraiser this Saturday, May 12th, at the Chick-fil-A on Rt. 28 (Sowder Village Square next to Red Robin and Target) to help raise money for their adoption process.   From 7:30am - 2pm there will be a large yard sale in the parking lot with all kinds of great items available.  You can also help by eating inside from 11-2 and they will get a portion of the proceeds if you grab a coupon flyer on the counter and give it to the cashier.   Please come out and help support this awesome family!!  This Mother's Day weekend every one of us can be a part of this beautiful story that God is writing. 

Ten things you need to know about my Mama

About Cindy Hagenhoff

By Benjamin Hagenhoff age 5

1.        My mama takes me to church and prays with me each night.

2.       My mama always cheers me on at my soccer games.  She tells me I am the best.

3.       She even plays hockey with me.

4.       Sometimes when I have a play day with a friend she brings donut holes for us to share.

5.       I love it when she makes cheesy noodles and her homemade mac and cheese.

6.       On my birthday I get to choose what kind of dinner and cake I would like.  One year she made a Thomas train cake for me.  It was really cool.

7.       I love it when my mama reads to me and has cuddle time with me.

8.       I like to help her with chores like laundry and going to the grocery.

9.       She is pretty.

10.    I know that she loves me sooo much because she tells me so.

                                                Love,

                                                Ben

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!