A Day of Hearts

Made with love by Little Man A

Valentine's Day treat

A couple weeks ago, my friend Isdhara and our families got together for a "Love Shack" party. Yeah, I know that sounds kind of kinky, but I swear to you, especially since children were involved, that it was not at all.

It was a "LOVE" gingerbread house party. Instead of making a gingerbread house with Christmas decor, we used Valentine's Day candy. This was the coolest idea I had heard in a while. Plus considering I couldn't recall EVER making a gingerbread house myself (correct me if I'm wrong, Mom), I was so in.

Here's some great highlights:





LMA is not a candy kid - not sure who's kid he really is - but he loved licking the frosting and eating the valentine peeps. Most of the time, LMA and Little Sprout were playing while the women constructed the house, but it was fun!

Here's what the final project looks like:






Happy Valentine's Day!

If only we were loved all the time

Cookies. Apparently, cookies are the way to a child's heart. If you don't believe me, hear it for yourself.

Happy Friday!!

Home is...

Thought you mom's out there, either it be of children or even animals, would appreciate this little story. Happy Monday!


"Stranded"
by Barb Vogelgesang, Area Coordinator of MOPS
I was traveling recently and found myself stranded at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. This unexpected curve allowed me to spend some time people watching. The waiting area at the gate was crowded with stranded passengers. I noticed a young mom with two children pushing a carriage while she struggled to pull along their carry-on bag. She stopped and scoped out the available spaces and moved to two chairs near the ticket agent counter. It was interesting to watch her set up camp.

She blocked off the two chairs with the bag and the carriage creating a safe play area for her toddler. A blanket was put down with some toys and the little guy sat down happily at his mom’s feet. Every once in awhile he would stand up to check on his baby brother sleeping in the carriage and pat his mom’s leg. His mom’s desire and ability to create a temporary home for him made him content. When the ticket agent announced that our flight was canceled the mom left the safe corral to get on line. She built her “home” close enough to the ticket counter that she was able to keep one hand on the carriage at all times. As long as her little guy could see mom’s hand he was just fine.

It’s amazing how as moms we can establish a cozy dwelling place and the security this gives our children. A carriage, a suitcase, two chairs, and a blanket in a crowded airport and a little two year old played happily while his infant brother slept, all because mom was near. I’ve heard the saying home is where the heart is, but the reality for a young child is home is wherever mom is.



P.S. Hope everyone enjoyed my recapturing of our cruise. I know I enjoyed sharing it with everyone. Not to mention, I'll be able to include it in my scrapbook for later.

Loving Enough to Step Back

A few months ago, I joined a local MOPS group (Mother of Preschoolers). Although I don't have a preschooler just yet, this is a way for me to get out and talk to other mothers. One of the main reason why I joined was because my old next door neighbor is part of the group. I thought it was a great way to be able to see her atleast once a month (although this is way NOT enough!). Since joining, I've received several e-newsletters which include various things about how to be a better mother (both physically, emotionally, and because they are centered around churches, religiously).

This was a short story that was included in the e-newsletter and I almost cried when I read it. Not because I can relate to what this mother is saying (or maybe so), but because I can see me having to remind myself to step back. I already find myself trying to help too much with Little Man A. Either it be turning a piece of a puzzle for him so he can make it go in the specific space, or helping him stack his blocks. Although he may get frustrated really early on in the game, I have to step back and let him do it himself.

Thought I would share it for all you mothers out there as well.
Have a happy Monday!


by Vicki Jones, Area Coordinator
"My son, who is the baby of the family, is very quiet and emotional. He has taken the “don’t talk to strangers” thing way over the top by not speaking to anyone, ever! He also cries at the slightest change in his life which can sometimes make for a long day.

Today he woke up crying because he didn’t want to ride the school bus. My first reaction as a mom was that someone had to be picking on this quiet boy. After many questions I found out that the bus driver had assigned each child a seat for the year and my son was assigned a seat up front, while the only little friend that he has sits in the back of the bus.

Now, I could have written a note to the driver or stopped her and asked if he could sit in a different place, but then I realized if I didn’t make him do this himself he would never learn to speak to others. He needs to learn to do things on his own, after all Mom won’t always be there to fix things for him.

I explained to him that God gives us choices in life. He has to make the choice to sit in the same seat every day and be miserable or to speak up and ask the driver to have his assigned seat moved. I knew it would scare my son to actually have to talk to an adult, but it was a choice he had to make.

I cried as I watched my son get on the bus today, not because I was afraid for him but because I loved him enough to let him go and do this on his own. I cried because I watched him stop and ask the driver if he could have his seat changed.

Sometimes you have to love enough to let them go."

Prayer From a Mother's Heart
Dear God, give me wisdom as a mother to know when to help and when to let go.