My gifts

If you didn't get a chance to read my last blog post about what I was really wanting and needing for Mother's Day this year, then read the previous entry to get a 'recap' ... to bring yourself 'up to speed' on what is happenin' in the Grade household ... because the truth be told -- there is definitely not one dull moment at this house! ;)

I am happy to report that my sweet, endearing husband, Mark, did in fact read my blog "in time", as I knew he would, and he gave me much, much more than I asked for.

Our kids came through for me ... they all did, as they always do ~ as they always have.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves~ because ... Yes! -- there are times when I, Lori, am speechless! :)

And I have learned that sometimes there are no words needed -- to be spoken or written.

Hmm ... sort of how some would describe something called Love. At least this is how I like to describe it.

I got exactly what I needed ... much more than I ever wanted ... the gift on the best Mother's Day ever ~ and it wasn't even in any of the stuff.

However, as a friendly reminder to them (in case they might be reading this) ... you'll probably be seeing this beautifully handmade Sign on your Mom's bedroom door much more often ~ and that is not a bad thing!

Because I do come out of my Mom's Den a much, much happier person!

And in the Grade home, we have all found out that there is some definite truth to that age old saying If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy~

Well, if you ask me from looking at this first picture, we all look pretty darn happy ~ and what you cannot see is that the guy behind the camera ... the one takin' the picture is Smilin' bigger than all of us! ;)

What I really want for Mother's Day

Yesterday a conversation on the radio challenged me to really search my heart for this answer:

What is it I really want for Mother's Day this year?

The discussion was about how Mothers always saying "I don't want anything really ... to "I just want to spend time with my kids and family" or "Just make me a card; that's all I need!" is really not the Truth at all. So they challenged us Mothers out there to simply state what it is that we really, truly do want from our children and/or grandchildren for Mother's Day.

So I challenged myself to ask this question instead:

What is it that I, Lori, really need for Mother's Day this year?

I came up with an answer that I wanted to share here, hoping with the off chance that Mark reads my blog in time to plan and prepare ;) {hint, hint}

This is what I want for Mother's Day this year ... May 8, 2011... and it is most commonly known as this ~

Yes. I am bold enough to say it here. This is what I truly want and need for Mother's Day. We can call it a Woman Cave instead just to be clear whose cave is whose.

Oh ... I say this all in Love, much, much Love ... because as a Mother, I would lay down my very own Life for each one of my children in a heartbeat. Yet, what I've learned is that by not putting myself first hasn't allowed for me to be the kind of Mother I strive to be. The kind of Mother I hope to be in my Life.

By not putting myself first, I am not honoring the highest calling placed on my Life because I am loving them more than loving me.

I've learned that is where my flaw has been all along ... giving, giving, giving ... loving, loving, loving ... all good, needed, and critical, yet somehow, in some way, I, Lori, got lost somewhere in that shuffle of Wife and Mother.

Females just have it in their DNA to care and love others, which is great, wonderful, perfect! But what I've learned about myself being a female now almost 39 years, as well as watching and learning from my own Mother, and also having a Daughter myself now for the past 12, is that girls want to Love on others ... all of the time, in any means possible ... starting out with baby dolls and stuffed animals; then moving onto pets, girlfriends, things, people, our very own babies, husbands ... but it is so easy to get left behind in the Loving. It did for me.

I got lost, me - Lori ... in the Loving of my Husband and Kids. Loving them too much and loving on them too much.

And what I realized is that I learned this 'cave idea' from watching all of the Men in my Life. Past and Present ... what my very own husband, Mark, has shown & taught me how and what to do all of these years, which has made him the kind of Husband and Father that he is ... the kind of Man that he is ... a job well done.

Mark went on a week long fishing trip to Tennessee with his 'guy' friends just recently. He didn't have the need, nor do I even believe the desire to even call home and talk to me or his own kids! This really, really confused me for awhile. I wasn't necessarily mad at him, more like confused. Huh?!@ More of an I just don't get him thought. {That actually happens quite often between us ... you know - that thought & look ;)}

I was just thankful to get a 'text' knowing he was still alive and in a boat, instead of out of it. The funny part most of all,was when I would finally get a text, it was always the same 'type' of text ... fishing good cold dry wet having fun in boat luv u hope for sun ...

So his week away taught him a lot, I think, about himself; it also taught me a lot about myself. Sounds like a pretty good vacation to me! I could've used a little more sun and warmth on my end though~

Just so I am very clear and we have no confusion whatsoever ... I will state it in this way for my dear husband to pass along to our kids for tomorrow: I want and need a Cave, just like you! ~ more than anything! Much more than flowers, beautiful cards, spa treatments, food ordered out or prepared in, love notes, hugs, kisses, cuddle time, my 'mother's ring' repaired, chores done, house perfectly cleaned ...

No! This year what I want and need for Mother's Day is this:

A place to hide! Alone.

And I am talking literally here ... find me a Cave somewhere inside or outside of our home ... have the kids help you build me one for Pete's sake (I know you can!), and if you can't build me one or necessarily find me a 'spot' or get me a lighted up sign from Bryan, then please ... pretty please ... just lock me in our upstairs bathroom with a pretty, beautiful, handmade Sign from our kids hanging on the door handle with this on it:

Do Not Disturb Mom or else! Beware!

P.S. She really, really, really does Love you! Now GO AWAY!

{And one more thing, make sure there is a smiley face on there k?~

I think it will help soften the blow}

See! ... it doesn't take much to please me after all!

I will end on this note to all of the Mothers that I have had so far in my Life ...

I stand in Awe and Praise and Honor and Thanksgiving of all of You!

First and foremost ... my own Mom, Karen ...  my Mother-in-law's, Pat and Laurie ... my Grandmother's, Marcella, Betty, June ... 'Mom Friend/Grandma', Barb Steinle ... my 'Mom Mentor and Friend', Barb Wier ... my past girlfriend's Mother, Marilyn Toczek ... my past best friend's Mother,  Mrs. Buckhalter.

Without you, I wouldn't be the kind of Mother I am to my own Children ... so thank you loving me ... and teaching me ... and growing me ... and showing me the way.

May you be truly blessed this Mother's Day!

Additional "hint" for Mark added 12 hours after the original post ... I realized that I do actually want stuff to make my day happier tomorrow ~ and golly gee! ... don't I deserve it after all? ;) Besides needing to be alone tomorrow to 'regroup', I also would love some of these 'gifts' to be delivered outside of my 'cave' please ... I just think they will make my 'day' that much more Special!
Ok ... here goes my list of wants: A Bible - just pick one!, a notebook and pen, a radio, a cup of coffee in the morning {make sure it has all the 'fixings' of mine} and finally a Pina Colada and chocolate to end the day.
Oh! ... and I may be asking for seconds on the drink and dessert just to forewarn you. ;)

But I am hearing the pitter patter of little feet coming and going ... and that alone will make me Smile big!

Here is why we, Mark & I, do what we do, give what we give, love as much as we do.
My true Mother's day gifts ~ irreplaceable.