My Version

**this was written yesterday... but life interrupted so it's being posted today**

Is it safe to assume that y'all read Sister's blog too? I never want to bore you with the same story that she's already told... but I do have my own version and if you're so inclined to listen read I'm inclined to tell.

This picture is fairly unrelated to my post but I just thought I'd share. This is a game the girls love to play. It goes like this: "Morgan/Paige can you please bring me a diaper/wipes/paci?" Child retreieves diaper {or said item} and then asks 100x, "Guess what's behind my back?" We have to give 100 answers {none of which can be "diaper"} before we "guess" diaper and then the child will hand over the diaper. Sometimes this game is fun, sometimes this game will make you want to pull your hair out. Please tell me that games like this are often played at your home too?

Paige & John Martin are both sleeping soundly and Morgan is playing quietly in the playroom. I love a quiet house. It's not always like this... this morning was one of those "Lord help me" mornings. I say "Lord help me" a lot and I say it out loud. I don't say it vain. I say it in desperation. I know a lot of y'all are moms, want to be moms, and/or have moms so I imagine you have either said it yourself or have heard your own mother say it. This morning it was one of those mornings where all I wanted to do was get the children dressed, out the door and in the car. A simple task if you're only responsible for yourself. A major feat if you're responsible for yourself and 3 others {the oldest of which is 4}. This morning our getting out the door was interrupted by a gallon of sweet tea spilling in the fridge and onto the kitchen floor, followed by projectile vomiting by John Martin onto me, him, and the den floor. Lovely, isn't it? But an ever powerful reminder of my need for a Savior in times of weakness. I cannot be a mother by my own strength. No way. The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

I'm thankful this afternoon for a few hours of peace. The only things I hear at this moment are the rhythmic tumble of the dryer and Morgan playing with toys in the playroom... thank you Lord. {I say that a lot too, because He is faithful to answer my "Lord help me's"}

Ok... back to our visit with family. I was a wonderful respite from the daily grind. I found nothing about their stay in our home stressful... in fact it was quite the opposite, it was peaceful, and very enjoyable. To any mother, I'm certain, eight extra hands would never be looked down upon.

Morgan anxiously awaited their arrival. Word to the wise: Never tell a 4-year old that their grandmother will be here soon if you don't know that to be an absolute fact. The sweet girl sat in this chair for 2 hours... w a i t i n g.

They did eventually arrive and she was thrilled! The next morning she had a program at the preschool. If you've never been to "preschool production" it's one of the most entertaining shows you'll ever see. She even had a solo!!

Her music teacher is retiring this year and most certainly went out with a BANG! The program was fabulous and she is a wonderful, patient woman and I was SO impressed that she could teach this many 3 and 4-year olds so many songs! Morgan's solo was well received by her fan club that took up the entire front row and looked more like the paparazi than family. Sister Paige was her number one fan but wasn't too sure about the idea that she will be the one on stage next year.

Brother, on the other hand, was well-behaved and thrilled about his opportunity to shine. Hopefully sans paci!

The majority of our time together was spent doing 4 things: shopping, laughing, eating & swimming. All of those things are great together with the exception of the eating & swimming... unless you're 4.

Our poolside time was spent (1)watching Morgan dive for rings from our (2) lounge chairs (3) underneath a colorful umbrella that was a wonderful shield from the hot afternoon sun:

By the end of the week we all felt like could very well pass for these two:

Afternoons were spent coloring & playing. MommaSis' is one fun aunt and I hope I can be half the aunt to her little girl as she is to mine. They crafted up a garland to hang above the girls' table.

She also taught John Martin how to use an iPhone. He promised to call her all the time if she'd make his face the wallpaper.

Sunday was special not only because it was Mother's Day but because the young man was being baptized. The combination of these two events had me up at the crack of dawn ironing clothes and scouring the yard for flowers. Call me old-fashioned but I wasn't letting any mother in this house head out to church without a homemade corsage.

All of which were manhandled by the young man himself. Oh well! They did look pretty before he got a hold of them.

He also worked over Pastor Henry's microphone and Paige only showed her panties to the congregation 3 times. Other than that, it was a delightful celebration of our covenant child. Some of you are scratching your heads and wondering why on earth we would baptize our babies... and I'll add that to my list of "blog material". But if you are interested in learning more about it you can follow this link and read under the section labelled Presbyterian and Continental Reformed churches.

The entire family joined us back at our house for BBQ and other fixin's, petit fors, & swimming.

It was the most delightful Mother's Day I've had in years. First because I am blessed to be the mother of these three little ones...

Second, because I was able to celebrate with my mom & sister and we haven't all 3 been together for Mother's Day in about 10 years?! Sad but I believe it's true.

Third, because my precious aunt & cousin were here with us too {and this picture was taken at 6:45 am so they may not be thrilled with it... but I loved it!}! It was a Mother's Day week for the record books... or at least the blog!