Thankful for Mama's!!!

Last weekend, I stepped back in time…

Back to the days of taking care of three small children!

Andrew and Bekah were away, so I had the joy of caring for their three small boys for five days!

I was quickly reminded of how busy mothers are of small children and what a demanding role this is!

Like my children did…Bekah’s little ones woke up fairly early each morning!

And mind you, if I didn’t get breakfast ready quick enough…little Gabe got his own breakfast!

(Gaby’s go-to breakfast was always Wheat Thins)!

After breakfast…it was time to brush our teeth and get dressed for the day!

Our days with filled with lots of activities…

Taking Walks…

Playing games…

Coloring…

Running errands…

Visiting the zoo…

Ice cream before bed….

Snuggles and and an occasional movies was a must each evening…

Telling stories each night before bed (the boys love hearing me tell stories about their parents or making up stories)….always asking for one more story before I tucked them in!

Painting….which led to a very creative form of painting….Body Painting!!

Playing in the sprinklers…

Making our own pizzas….

Attending Wyatt’s First Birthday Party….

Playing with cousins…

Train rides…

Decorating for mom and dad’s return home…

And much more!

There were also a lot of things that kept Gammy busy between all of the fun activities!

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners…plus snacks between meals…all which needed to be prepared and ready in a timely manner!

Staying on top of the laundry…which seemed to multiply rapidly…

Washing dishes, which always included lots of glasses and cups from numerous drinks throughout the day…

Refereeing any squabbles that broke out between the brothers…

Wiping tears one moment…

And joining in the laughter the next…

Answering numerous questions…repeatedly!

Waking up to little Gabe crawling into bed with me each night (and yes, I let him stay in bed verses taking him back to his bed)…. best snuggle time ever!!

As I cared for these little ones for a few days, I was reminded of how important a mama’s role is in the life of her children!

One minute…it is the most rewarding job you will ever have…and the next minute…it seems to be a very thankless job!

Some mornings you wake up to…everyone is in a good mood…everyone is using their manners…using only kind words…sharing…it’s the best day ever!

And then there are the mornings that you wake up…and are faced with crying, tears, squabbles, tantrums, lost tempers…making you feel defeated before the day really gets started!

Some days are spent with other mamas and their young children…causing the day to pass by quickly!

And some days are spent alone…which can make it a very long day!

And not only is it important to meet your child’s physical and emotional needs…parents are responsible for their children’s spiritual needs!

Teaching them the ways of the Lord…

Praying with them and over them…

Taking them to church…

Reading the bible with them…

Helping them to learn and memorize scriptures…

God’s word tell us…Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it…Proverbs 22:6.

These little ones depend on their parents for so much!

It’s huge responsibility!

So, as I spent several days caring for these three precious grandsons, I was reminded of how much I need to be praying for my adult children in their roles as parents!

I need to pray for their strength…for God’s guidance as they teach their littles ones…for wisdom…for patience…for each of them to find quiet time with the Lord so they too can be refreshed.

I need to pray daily for Heavenly Warriors to surround their families…their homes…their vehicles…praying for that continuous hedge of protection around each of them!

Basically…I need to be praying without ceasing!

This is one of the greatest gifts I can give to my children and my grandchildren…the gift of prayer!

So to all of you mama’s…. (and daddy’s)….I want to remind you that you are doing a great job!

Continue to enjoy each moment!

Continue to give your children lots of hugs and kisses!

This time passes so quickly!  Cherish every little moment…storing those precious memories in the treasure box of your heart!

And hopefully, someone is praying for you too each day!

Dear Heavenly Father…Bless the mama’s and daddy’s as they raise their children in today’s world!  Encourage them and guide them through each step of the day!  And when they feel overwhelmed…place your loving arms around them and hold them close…speaking words of strength and encouragement into their lives…reminding them that their children are a gift from you!!