Did you all have a nice Mother’s Day? We sure did at our house. With the addition of this new baby girl, it has really changed everything for our family and we took lots of family pics to remember the occasion. The older we get, the more we know that we cannot take any of this for granted. I’ve told you about my mother before, but really I don’t think words even adequately express how much she means to me and my family. She is without a doubt one of the best mothers out there. God might have broken the mold with her, although I think her own mother was such a blessing too from what I’ve heard. I never knew her, as she died when I was very little.
Growing up, I used to think my parents were so mean. We were the girls who didn’t get to do anything fun, the preacher’s kids. Back then, it was a sin to go to movies or dances or anything heathen like that. Smoking, drinking and cussing were definitely frowned upon. Everyone else got to have fun, but not us. We grew up with lots of rules and I used to think that everyone else had way more fun parents than we did. Why couldn’t our parents be cool like that and let us do whatever we wanted? It was wishful thinking back then, but now that I’m older and wiser (I hope!), I’ve certainly changed my tune on that. They did relax things a bit when Lauren came along and got into her teen years.
Now, I know that these Godly parents of ours had rules for our own good. They made us mind and do what they thought was the right thing, using Biblical principles as their guide and not what everyone else was doing . It was pretty boring to me back then, but now I wouldn’t change a thing. Now I know what a fine example of parenting they set for us and we were so blessed to have them as our parents. Mom is a special lady, with so much love, patience, and the most gentle spirit that you would ever meet. She’s an angel in mom’s clothing and I’m so glad that she is MY mom. I know my sister and my niece feel the same way.
I know she felt the love yesterday, just as we all did and it was really a special moment. I’ll be sharing a special family moment at the bottom of the post, so get the tissues ready!
My sister’s backyard has been Mother’s Day central for the past several years. She and Bruce have worked so hard on this backyard and it comes in handy for special occasions like this. My sister set up a big table for all of us. There were lots of folks there on Mother’s Day this year, including friends of my sister’s family and her husband, Bruce’s parents and brother’s family were there too. We always celebrate with them as well.
She had pretty hydrangeas on the table.
It ended up being a beautiful day to eat outside.
I’ve showed you all pics of their backyard before, but here it is again. A tropical jungle with a pond and waterfall.
Rock walls and lots of landscaping.
I captured this special pic of mom and dad and this one really shows off their personalities.
Lauren and her baby, Parker. We all just can’t get enough of this sweet girl. She’s getting big so fast and has changed so much in the last month since we’ve seen her.
Lauren and Renee fixed a delicious lunch of pork chop spaghetti and salad. It was all yummy, as usual!
I love this pic of mom and Parker, with Lauren looking on. Sweet times, these are!
Dad doing his favorite thing, eating dessert.
Strawberry shortcake with pound cake and fresh strawberries.
As always, we girls had to take a pic on Mother’s Day to document the day. This time we have a sweet little bundle to join us and that made it extra special. We even talked ahead about what color we should all wear so the pics look better and I’m happy we did that. We will treasure these photos for years to come. Comes in handy having a blog to document all of this specialness!
We let Dad get in the pictures too. He has put up with all of us girls for a long, long time and has learned that it’s a hopeless cause if we all want him to do something. He may as well go ahead and give in now. The estrogen was running high at our house growing up.
Mom and that sweet baby girl with the most perfect lips ever.
She’s just getting cuter and cuter and of course, we all had to take turns holding her. Mom usually gets first dibs.
But I got my share of Parker time too. She’s a doll baby!
I got my share of smooches this time, kissing those sweet cheeks. She is so fun now, cooing and smiling.
After lunch, we gave mom her Mother’s Day gifts and this one was a big hit as you can imagine. We wondered where she would put it as her walls are filled with mostly pics of Lauren at various stages. We decided that a Lauren pic might have to come down to make room for this one. Lauren doesn’t mind being bumped for this angel.
The last gift that Lauren gave mom was a card with an enclosed note. Lauren came in last week and has been here for a few days. Mom was keeping Parker for awhile as Lauren had some errands to run. She was leaving but came back into the den where mom was holding Parker and this is what Lauren saw and noted on her Facebook page last week. I was there right after it happened too and got all teary-eyed during the moment.
When mom read this note, she began to weep, as did all of us.
Lauren’s words to mom:
When I walked in and saw these two napping and snuggling, I assumed it was their typical cuteness…until I saw Nana’s lips moving and heard her whispering. I got closer and realized she was praying for Parker, just as she has always done for me. It will be many many years before Parker understands how special it is to have a grandmother who cloaks her in prayer every morning on her knees in front of the worn armchair in her bedroom, and I realize that Nana may not be with us when that day comes. For as long as I live though, this little girl will always know how privileged she is to have come from such a meek but mighty warrior of God.
And that, my friends, sums it all up. Happy Mother’s Day! This one was extra special.
Barbara Hunnicutt Moore says
You were so very, very blessed when God chose your mother. Your family is an inspiration to us all.
B
kathy says
How truly blessed you all are.
Susan says
OK, Rhoda, so I ignored your request to get tissues and now I’m wiping my eyes with a dirty paper towel (the only thing I had handy). Sheesh! So precious and what a blessing!
April says
That sweet note and picture have me all teared-up now. So precious!
Judy says
Okay, Susan who posted above me…I didn’t have a paper towel…so I’m using my sleeve. These are the best tears, the tears that come from being touched so deeply by love, caring and sharing. Thank you for all three. <3
Donna says
Lost my mother on March 8th. About the only ‘regrets’ I have is she will not get to know her great-grandchildren (there are none, yet) or see my younger daughter get married in the future. The photos are just phenomenal and will mean so much more as time goes on, thank you for sharing!
Judy Clark says
Rhoda,
Your Mother and Dad are so precious. Lauren is blessed to have such a wonderful Nana.
I aspire to be like your Mother. I pray for my Grandchildren every day. They know it! They don’t always want to hear it, but I let them know.
Wonderful pictures of the family. Little Park is so beautiful.
Lisa says
Thank-you for sharing just cherished moments of you and your family’s life. Truly lovely.
Casey says
Rhoda, thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us. I know Parker will always be blessed because of her praying grandmother. Enjoy every minute of making those memories together. Such a precious gift having God-loving parents/grandparents to guide your life. Love the wonderful pictures of everyone!
Beverly says
Yes, I am crying. You have such a beautiful and blessed family. Thank you for sharing your joy.
Susan A says
Tears of joy…
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and sweet, touching stories. I love all of the pictures, espeically of your parents and the love that radiates from them. Your family is blessed in so many ways. Parker is a precious little girl who is surrounded by love and faith. God Bless!
Terri says
Yes the tears did flow……. Praying Grandmothers …. I can remember mine… a minister’s wife… they lived on a farm is south Ga. she would stand at the kitchen sink; but the dishes were still… she was gazing out the window above her sink… and I knew, she’s praying…. loved God with alllll her heart… and it showed up always in her life…… These are precious moments… A godly heritage!!! Thank you for sharing Rhoda!!!!! ( My first two grandchildren… boys , who are now in their teens… were reminded Sunday by their Mom… “It is a privilege and an honor to have Praying Grandmothers” ) …. It’s an honor to pray and ask God for His leading in their lives as well !!!!!!! ) 🙂
Stacey says
Thanks for that…I just cried, like sobbed. Such special words for such a special mom, grandmother and great grandmother. You all so blessed
Doris says
Thank you so much for sharing. Lauren wrote it so well.
nancy says
This touched my heart and the tears are stilling running down my face.
Brenda says
Thank you so much for sharing your family. My own Mother was a woman much like yours and she has been gone home to her Lord since 2008. She also was a meek, but mighty warrior for God. Through her prayers and faithfulness we learned many many things. I now have my own Grandchildren that I pray for–actually two of them are direct result of prayer as we thought my daughter might not be able to conceive–God was in control of that. I know you all will find ways for your Mom to always be in your lives–right now on Thanksgiving we have Nannie’s Sweet Potato Pie that my daughter has worked to perfect (it’s delicious) and this year I am planting lots of flowers(new thing for me) to honor her green thumb. Aren’t the ones of us who had those “mean” parents just the most blessed folks on earth! Thank you again for sharing!
Talia says
Absolutely lovely! What a beautiful tribute to your amazing Mother! May God continue to bless you and your family.
Whitney says
This was so sweet and beautiful. I’m a new follower!
Tara G. says
PRECIOUS!
Alice says
Well said!!! Rhoda, this is a gorgeous tribute to your whole family….