Meet My First Baby Boy { Animal Lovers Only!!}

It really does seem like JUST a short time ago, when I was begging my new husband for a puppy. Some friends of ours had an " oopsie" litter of lab pups, but just being married for only a month, in a rental that said NO DOGS, Jared said NO.
So, I did what any Shaylyn would do...I tricked him.
we went out for a 'drive'...right to our friends house with the puppies. And there in a sea of pooch breath, soft fur and pure adorable-ness, was just ONE chocolate lab, with all his black brothers and sisters!
Even Jared couldn't resist.
The plan worked.
We took home our first baby.
Now to name him.
We examined him and decided from his sturdy features and BIG paws he would grow to at least 120 pounds.
Nope. His brother, Buck did. But, he never tipped the scales past 77.
So, a Future - big - dog , needs a BIG name. Kujo.

You see, Kujo added a lot to our lives.
Mostly in the form of messes and trouble.
He would cry all night, so I would take him to the couch, read him "101 Dalmatians" until he would fall asleep.
He would poo in his kennel and walk through it. And in our couch cushions.
More than once he chewed through doors and trim and carpet, and toys and shoes. And...and, anything that could be chewed.
He humped more visiting friends legs than I care to recall.
He jumped from the bed of our pick up truck...while Jared was driving.
Must've seen a squirrel.
He was so much bad, it was hard sometimes to see his good...
until last night.
12 and a half years later...
I needed to get into a specific room in our house to do something,  and there he lay sleeping, infront of the door.
I asked him to move.
He looked at me.
I encouraged him again.
He shifted his weight.
I looked into His cloudy, old eyes, and surveyed the big patch of white around his muzzle, and it hit me.
Its not that he didn't want to move, it was that my dog, whom we called the 'Energizer Bunny", that never slowed down a minute of his life, couldn't.
I got down next to him, hugged him, told him I loved him and that he was the best dog ever, and that he didnt have to move, because it wasn't important.

It actually was, but it would wait.
The last couple years, as he's aged, my patience with him, has grown so thin.
He can't hold his bowels and has an accident almost every night in the house.
He can't see or hear well, so he barks at everything...and the neighbors complain.
He panics now when we leave and chews our house to shreds.

But, in my frusteration, I remembered some amazing things about him.

He follows my kids outside and keeps a close eye on them and lets me know if anything gets within a 100 yards of them.
He knows his left paw from his right paw, how to dance, crawl and speak!
All those nights he kept me up, all the poo and puke I cleaned up, all the things he ruined, weren't because he needed me.
He never did.
I needed him.
I needed him to teach me some patience. And that nothing here is eternal. You cant take beautifully stained trim work to heaven with you, so dont get mad when a dog chews it off the wall.
He taught me to worry. Because he found himself hurt more times than not, for his mischievous mind would wander him to bad situations.
He told taught me how to love something even when it acted like a hopeless fool.
He visits our neighbors almost everyday.
He actually dives off the dock, grabs the rope swing in the air and swings from it over the water!
He barks ferociously at the UPS man...never has bitten him, but also has never taken his treats.

He really, truly prepared me to be a mom to my five ( human!!) Kids.

Without him I would not have had all these, sometimes awful experiences to learn growth from.
He has pushed me to my limits, like kids can.
He follows me around, attached to my heal when hes scared. Like kids can.
He's always happy to see me.
Has a guilty look of wrong doings, before I even know what hes done.
He is obsessed with his tennis ball. A.K.A His Girlfriend.
He hates to be cuddled,  but hates to be alone.
Hes a constant fixture in the room, keepin watch over our house and keeping to himself, and suddenly I feel like he might not be there much longer, and it breaks my heart.

As much trouble as hes caused,  I could not imagine the last 12 years without his crazy antics and trouble making.


So, to the "Marley & Me" in my life, you're the best,  most energetic,  nutsiest, craziest, most protective, loyal, sweetest, smartest, naughtiest, cutest dog I could have ever been blessed with.
Thanks for letting me smother you, when I know you hated every human, physical touch we made you endure.
Thank you for peeking in the car seats, ever so gently, everytime we brought a new baby home from the hospital. And thank you for sitting quietly at my feet, while I cried, when our baby didn't make it home from the Hospital.
Thank you for being excited for all the Christmas presents I wrapped for you and made you open.
Thank you for snuggling the cats on cold winter nights...yep, I seen that :)
Thank you for being excited about me bringing home groceries, because you were certain I brought you home a treat too.
Thank you for Pre-wrecking my house, so I wouldn't get mad at my kids for wrecking stuff.
Thank you for being my first baby boy.
You would've been you,  no matter what home you ended up in, because you never really needed me.
It was me who needed you.
Never forget that old boy.
So, I'm gonna make sure you get rewarded for all the life you've added to our years, for the rest of your days.
I'm sorry in the chaos, your antics drove me nuts. You did a lot of good that got over looked.
I can't imagine what that day will bring when I kiss you good bye for the last time, so for every moment until then, I'm going to spoil your tail off. Because you deserve it.

How having children SAVED my marriage!

I am sure NONE of you have picked up on the fact that I am SELFISH.
Stubborn.
Greedy.
Rude.
Human.
SO, when I thought " I'm gonna marry this boy and he will surely CHANGE to better me!" You probably wouldn't have been surprised!
Well, when that plan didn't work, what was I left with?
Sure he's a frickin' stud. But, dang. He is TOTALLY missing the MARK OF PERFECTION, I had expected him to reach by NOW! * StOmPs fEeT!*
What's left to do when you finally wake up and realize this?
( Other than the OBVIOUS ~ I needed to change!)

Have babies. Right?

Actually, Right!

I'm not gonna lie, babies are hard. The hardest.thing.ever.
They push you. They drain you. They scream and POOP a lot! A LOT!
But, they grow you and teach you.

In our culture, television soley focuses on the fact that kids are what 'causes divorce'. Now, I am sure there are certain situations where this may be true. Very few,I would venture to say.

Children can add stress. So can a job. or a puppy. Don't go there with me.

Children can add chaos. But, so can relatives for Christmas. Or driving in Wisconsin snow.

Children can add challenges. But, so can everyday life. And if you're reading this, you haven't stopped that yet! ( So glad, by the way!)

But, here is something TV won't tell you when they are complaining that the old 'ball and chain' is too tired for sex and that the kids ruined something, yet again, or that they are sick of changing poopy diapers or that they are broke because Junior needs braces...

KIDS FREAKING GET IT!

They are simple. They are amazing. They are what you and Baby Daddy created together, with a big old helping of Jesus Christ making it happen. They won't tell you that when you have your first baby things get different, but thats because you see your husband in a way that causes greater love to grow between you. You feel closer to the heart of God. They are so pure in heart and innocent. You start to see the world through their big blue eyes...forgiving. Kind. Colorblind. Accepting.

Which in return, helps your marriage.

There are sacrafices. But, when you make those as a couple, you appreciate, so much more the impromptu date nights and the cuddling on the couch when for one blissful moment they are actually playing peacefully together, or as I like to call it, ' probably doing something they are not supposed too!'

Not to mention the laughter! Laughing as a couple is awesome, especially at your kids...that doesnt sound nice, but it is! Kids are hysterical! If you don't laugh about the things they say or do in public ( Like the time my daughter so loudly pointed to a man wearing a patch over his eye, in the grocery store and said, " Look Momma! A pirate!" He was not amused!) you will surely go insane. So laugh about these things ~ with your spouse!

And the nights when they are up sick, be thankful your husband sleeps right through the puking and diareha, as you wage warm against germs and bacteria...wait...just kidding. Poke him in the ribs, get elbow deep in the stuff together! There is no ' I ' in marriage...well, not that kind of I anyway :) (tEaM wOrK)

If I hadn't had kids, I would never have seen just how horribly selfish ( still working on that!) I was and how amazingly wonderful my husband was. We are BY NO MEANS perfect. We still have arguements and disagree. We still can bother each other, and get on eachothers nerves. But, theres no way he's getting rid of me! I'm in it for the long haul!

PLUS ~ I could NOT handle these crazy, five monkies on my own !!! Haha!

p.s. Note how I didn't pick the picture perfect family photos! This is the real deal, folks! Babies crying, middle child making grumpy, disinterested faces, first born lovin' up the camera! Oye! God is so good though! And my husband still has a few hairs left to boot! :)

Packing the FUN stuff! When you're on your way to have a BABY!

Ah, Baby day!
What an awesome day!
You've been waiting to meet little Junior since the moment you peed on the stick and a little PLUS sign appeared! And then peed on another 57 of them...just.to.be.sure.

I see a lot of " What to pack for the hospital" blogs ( usually done by Moms on their second babies. Still aWeSoMe, but let this seasoned birther give you a few extra hints!) and I am surrounded by GLOWING pregnant woman ( a couple happen to be my SISTER IN LOVES!!!)
I wanted to share with you a few tricks of the trade for NEW mommas!

1. BRING SOMETHING FOR YOUR NURSES!
It does not matter if you forget EVERYTHING else. These woman may be wiping your rear end as you push, may get YOUR amniotic fluid in their face, may get thier knuckles brooken by you squeezing their hands, may have to smell your pickle relish/ cheese curd/ peopperoni pizza breath and we all know they WILL see you Va- Jay! Jay!
So, please, be kind to these woman ( and your DOC, of course!) and bring in donuts, cookies, candy, whatever sweetness deliciousness you can find, BRING IT!
It will make changing your messy bedding easier for them :)

2. Sport a nursing tank!
When I checked in to deliver numero 6 ~ I asked if I could wear a nursing tank.
The Nurse said, " I think you can wear whatever you want!" JaCkPoT!
IT was AWESOME!

I delivered my chubby, precious, cutest baby boy ever created in that, and started the nursing ASAP! And it was so comfy and great to know that when visitors came, I didn't have to worry about those dang hospital gowns ( which all ready are a fashion NO NO!) slipping open and revealing my beautiful new nursing boobs!

3. Bring treats for the LITTLE visitors!

In my family, I am BLESSED with 8 nieces and nephews, then throw my 5 munchkins in the mix and you get A LOT of teeny visitors! Plus friends with kids!

I made this little tootsie pop treat thingy! I just painted up a little flower pot I hand't used in a while and put a styrofoam ball in it and poked tootsies in! It worked great to help subdue little's in a small room!

Other times, I have brought in a basket of color books and crayons, small cars, dolls, bubbles, etc! Just go to your Dollar Tree and fill up on those things that keep them pre- occuppied!

4. Bring yourself some snacks!

The cafeteria in our hospital closes and then, no more food. That can seem daunting to you when you are nursing, because after you go through labor, and start nursing you may feel like your appetite increases even more so than when you were pregnant!

So - pack some healthy snacks and some chocolate...

DON'T FORGET THE CHOCOLATE.

5. Fun Family Picture Stuff!

Before I had my son, I made numbered shirts for the kids to wear to the hospital to meet him for the first time! They turned out cute and made for great memory photos!

6. I'm sure there are A LOT of other important things, like camera, toilteries, babys first outfit, babys leaving hospital outfit, nuks, blankies, video camera, your husband ( don't forget him!) but, I'm pretty sure you know all the basic stuff. So, I just wanted you to know the ' other ' stuff that made the stay easier. Oh! Oh! You can bring a CD player, too! I liked listening to music, rather than having the TV for back ground noise while I stayed after the dellivery ( Yes, I need back ground noise! Do you remember how many kids I have?! Its essential!)

So, Don't forget the important stuff ~ but remember all the fun memory makers, too! 

Have fun giving birth :) 

BIG BIRTH DAY SMILES!
xoxoxo Shaylyn
( and Baby Michael, without whom, this blog would not  be possible!)

 P.S. Sorry about all the spelling errors! This Blogger is NOT letting me go back and correct for some reason...reaon may be that I'm computer illiterate and am probably just not doing it right, but, I'd like to think  it was the bloggers fault :)

50 Shades of Red!!!

After hearing the title, I'll be honest "Fifty Shades of Grey" sounded like a decorating book! I thought, " Awesome! Gray is my favorite!" But, to my disappointment, after doing a lot of research, guess what...it's anything but decorating!

With the release of 'Fifty Shades' and 'Magic Mike' my heart has been deeply saddened by the state of our christian woman.  If our 'Men of God' ( as we claim to be 'woman of God') where reading something like 'FS' we would be quick to call alarm and slap 'Porn- O' on it, and if they where to attend a movie like 'MM' ( only for MEN about WOMAN)  we would throw a fit and tell them they where filling their minds with filth.

But, then...why is it ok for us ladies to indulge?

Truth is...it's not.

Now, what I'm about to write comes with a ( few!) warnings! I write this to  woman of the Church, who claim Christ as their savior. To any one else, they do not know better, but a Christian woman who has shielded her heart with the bible, studies its words and holds close Christ virtues, DOES know better. I'm not trying to step on toes and I do this in love, to refocus us, and am NOT pointing fingers at anyone

I've been thinking about this blog for awhile with the release of these two particular media drenched, over publicized, WAY over hyped 'entertainment' pieces.
And it really hit me as I was reading my bible one night and came across this verse,
( For the easily convicted...TURN AWAY!)

2 Timothy 3:1
" But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents ( Must be the last days at my house!). ungrateful ( Yep!!!) , unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness, but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with them. ( Here comes the STINGER!) They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak willed woman ( oUcH! I'm hardly what I'd call 'Strong!') , who are loaded down by sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. ( Double OuCh!)

What are we gaining by watching MM or reading FS? Does it grow you spiritually? Did it help you to be a light to the lost? Did it further your testimony? Did it give you patience and encouragement doses that brought you through another day? Did it bring you closer to your creator?

Over and OVER AND OVER again in the bible, it talks about restraining from sexual impurities.

1Thes 4: 3 "..you should avoid sexual immorality".
Eph 5:3 "...But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind of  
                impurity.."
Galatians 5: 19 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: Sexual immorality...impurity...orgies...( I forgot to tell you this verse was RATED! Hehe!) .."

There are two many verses to sight. Yet, I hear the argument from woman, ' I don't get turned on by watching Magic Mike." Really? You went for the great acting and the amazing story line? ( sarcasm!)

Or.." Fifty Shades is just a book, fiction...there's nothing wrong with reading it."

Hmmm... There are a lot of other fiction books out that I am pretty sure would be more
safe to read than this one. Chose carefully. Infact the bible ( Which isn't even fiction! )
say's in Hebrews 4: 12 That Gods word is ALIVE and ACTIVE. Sharper than a two edged SWORD and penetrates to even dividing the soul and the spirit! WOWZA! Thats a book I wanna read! Something ALIVE! Not something that's going to make me blush 50 shades of RED!

Some have even claimed that FS is riddled with pedophilia. I haven't read the book. Just reviews and blogs and commentaries on it, so I couldn't claim that, but here is an interesting link to an article that might make you think twice before you decide its 'O.K.'

www.theulstermanreport/fiftyshadesofgrey.com

I'm not your Holy Spirit. Just a sister in Christ who wants you to know you where made for more than this ( smut! ) and your heart is the wellspring of life. What life is it giving out, if it's giving out the darkness the Bible warns us about?

Here's a CLUE if it's not heart worthy:

Phil 4: 8 " Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Colossians 3: 1 "...Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Lead the next generation of Christian woman by being the example, who PUTS OFF the worlds desires and lust and PUTS on all things excellent and praiseworthy!

Love ya sisters!

SInner? Guilty AS charged!

Recently I have caught a little slack from some friends about an event I planned. I won't go into details. For the most part I understand where they are coming from and I appreciate the accountability, but then there are those who have been bible thumping me in the head till I can't see all the fallen angels spinning around it clearly! I have prayed, prayed and prayed about this & I can't shake the feeling that God is awesome and will finish the good things he starts in us.

Tonight when I was reading with our girls before bed, we read the story of Zacchaeus. And let me tell, God spoke volumes to this heart!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, you can read it in Luke 19:1-10. I'll try to break it down for ya!

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. Not a popular gig and the way he went about it, made him the little bitty bully no one liked! Being that he was the Chief tax collector, he was wealthy...taking money and keepin' some. Maybe some extra than he ought.

Zacch heard Jesus was coming through Jericho, and he wanted to see Jesus. But since he was too short to see over the crowd, he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore fig tree. 

When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up and said, " Zacchaeus, come down from that tree, for I must stay at your house today!" ZAcch was SO happy, he welcomed Jesus gladly! But...this is where we come in ( christians)...

Everyone following Jesus seen this and they started to mutter and say, " He is gone to be the guest of a sinner!" 

OH! The humanity! A...a...sinner?!! Well, thank heavens I can read this and know I am NOT a sinner and I am PERFECT! ( *insert sarcasm*) Dirty little Zacchaeus! What with all his sins! Jesus could have went to any of those perfect, wonderful, apple pie in the oven, macaroni casserole on the table, button up - turtle neck, bible totin' christians houses! But to chose a sinner! Come on, Jesus! Really?!?

Yes. Really.

There are so many amazing things in just these TEN verses, I can't even write a short blog! SO bear with me!

Zacch was a sinner...and believe it or not, no matter how hard you try and 'pretend' to be flawless...you too are a sinner ( hopefully saved by grace!).

Zacch, not knowing Jesus, was EAGER to see him. He ran ahead and climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus Christ. Love.

And in walks our savior. He lovingly chose a sinner. Not just Zacch, but all of us. He longs to come into our hearts and homes and be a guest. Not for us to be perfect, but for us to be eager to see him and gladly welcome him in.

Jesus didn't just sit in the temple, doors locked, in his weekly bible study, worrying about the next church activity, or what color to paint the walls. Jesus went out. He walked among us. Yes...sinners. He didn't shy away from those he died to save. He walked with them, showing love and teaching about his Father. He did so in a way that even a ruthless man, like Zacch would seek him out.

Who's seeking you out?
Have you been Jesus in how you love others?
Have you popped your christian bubble and stepped out into the world to be that love to someone? The love that could lead them to Jesus?
Or are we too afraid to get 'sinner' on us?

After Zacch heard what everyone was saying about Jesus going to a sinners house, he proclaimed he would give half his possessions to the poor and if he cheated anyone, he would give back FOUR TIMES the amount he took!!

Zacch was so thrilled and fired up about the thought of Jesus coming to his house, he stopped doing evil and made right what he had done wrong!

I love that passion! How many times does Jesus knock at our doors heart and we say, " Not now Lord...I'm in the middle of a good sin right now!" 

Zacch was an example. He stopped immediatley and turned from that which was wrong. I LOVE THIS GUY! 

Jesus reached out to his heart and Zacch saw that. Jesus didn't slam the door in his face and mock him with the word 'sinner'. Jesus asked to be his guest!

Am I being Jesus? Am I staying away from people that just want to be invited in? Am I getting out of my box labeled " Sunday School Only" and going to where the people are? Am I being Jesus to someone who would do anything just to know God is head over heels - madly in love with them?

Simple fact ( I made up!) : Probably about 98 % of the lost will not walk into your church, come up to you and say, " Hey! How do I have a relationship with Jesus?" 

That's why you have to be Jesus to all the Zacchs.

I'm Leaving My Husband & Children...

WHAT?!?!

You heard me! That's right! Don't TRY to talk me out of it! I'm outta here...
Ever have one of those nights?...days....hour! Haha! 

By leaving...I mean, leaving to just get the heck outta dodge for a run, walk, shopping spree ( with all the coins you dug out of the washer for the last two years and any un-expired coupons!)

I have heard more than ONE gasp, when I freely share with other mothers that I leave once in awhile! The look of stunned emotions, and sheer disbelief  that I would leave my children, fruit of my womb, bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh and go OUT and DO something! 

Sometimes it sounds like this, " YIPPEE!" or the squealing of the tires and stray cats dodging for cover as I nearly miss them with my Bridgestones going full speed down the road. Or it can sound like sobbing children, begging me to stay because, they LOVE me so much. Either way, it sounds like, FREEDOM to me. Yep, I said it. Don't judge me. You know if you had a chance and could shake the 'mom guilt' feeling that sweeps over you like a Nebraskan wind on an open plane, you would do it too. 

If you are a 'Stay at Home ' mother and have literally taken that title to the extreme measure that your children will immediately die of starvation if you even walk to the mailboxes, let me encourage you...THEY WON'T! And you will be better for getting out.

And if you're really lucky...take that man you married ( you remember him, right? The guy who helped make Junior and Sally...) out on a date. Shave your legs ( FOR GOSH SAKES!) put down the seats in the minivan and hang a little sign on the door..." If the Vans a rockin', don't come a knockin'..."

Enjoy a night out once in awhile :) It truly makes you a better mom, gives you that extra splash of patience and you really, truly do remember that you miss that little crusty- boogered face, with dirt smears and ketchup in the corner of his mouth baby, that you thought surely would never survive for ten minutes without you.

Over the next few blogs, I want to dig into Proverbs 31 and really see what God's word is calling us to do as woman who follow and serve him. I'll be doing this in chunks. So, follow along as I too, learn more about what God created us to be as moms, wives, sisters, daughters and HIS creation!  

DISCLAIMER:
*No children where hurt in the making of this blog. Children and their parents are encourage to have many family fun nights together and Parents are encouraged to love them whole heartidley.If you leave for the evening and your child suddenly becomes sick and throws up, please do your babysitter a favor and return home. If you expierence any weakness and abdominal pain upon leaving the house and dining out, please do not try the Chinease place again. If these symptons persist it is likely you will not get 'lucky' on date night and therefore you may want to seek an additional date night, for the following week.  Please consult someone fun, before going out so you can be assured you have a great night. If your fun last more than 4 hours, pay the sitter extra.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Now here's your complimentary stretch marks, saggy boobs and 'Wide load rear end'!

Mother's day is upon us!

I think us mother's should be kept in a category quite close to Jesus Christ himself. We are selfless, sacrificial and our body has been crucified ( i.e. post pregnancy). We are spit on, sneezed on, puked on and peed on. We are not found humorous, when we do our goofy dances, but found hilarious when trip with arms full of grocery bags and spill them across the drive way. We are car pools, and fishing turds- out- of- the kiddie pool moms. We are wearing our shirts backwards sometimes, because we have so many little people to get ready, we forget to get ourselves ready. We are showing up late moms, because newborn decided to test ( and win) the 'Leakguard protection' GUARANTEE on the package of diapers we bought. We are hiding while we eat a piece ( or in my case...BAG) of chocolate, from our tiny chocolate radar detecting munchkins, just so we don't have to share with 4 - 5 other chirping mouths! We are moms, who once where against it, would do anything to be able to afford a boob job! Because honey, this MOM  would love a bra that lifts and separates, NOT sorts and fold!

We are moms, we rock! 

Oh, yes. We do.

So, here's to all the moms that have rocked my 'Mommy - world' just by being in it! Have a great mother's Day and remember, you inspire, create, love and encourage all of us to be better!

Here's to the mom who cleans up blueberry puke on white carpet at 1 a.m.-Heidi Z.

Here's to all the working moms, that work all day, come home and still find time to love and cherish their kids, make dinner and maybe sweet lovin' to their husbands!
-Kary J. Jenny O. Katie D.Kim S. Ali S. Kaylie S. Heather Z. Heidi Zi. Elisabeth D.Nicole M.Teri T. Shannon G.Tanya B.Karie G.

Here's to the moms who crack me up and keep my light hearted! - Lisa R. Lovie B. Ann R. Rochelle V. Melissa H. Diana N.Mary A. Jenny E

Here's to the mom, who someday, if her house isn't flooded first, and the ceilings DON'T cave in from water damage, will have a plumber son, who will get paid good money to play with toilets!- Tara C.

Here's to the mom who's adorable, blond headed boy, threw  a smoothie in my house, and she stayed so calm and cool as her and her hubby cleaned a purple mix of fruity goodness off my walls, and continues to grow in patience and kindness as a mom - Lindsey Z.

Here's to all the moms, that thought 'outside of the box' and went beyond their families and children to bring love to orphans, and care for them and raise them with the same love that our father in heaven loves us with! - Sarah M. Christine N. Jodi M. Michelle W. Brandi G.Stephanie S. Steph Z.


Here's to the moms, who encourage me to eat more chocolate and take it easy when life gets too tough! - Trina T. Jessica T.


Here's to the (almost new moms) or just became new mommies! I love watching you bloom into this beautiful creation, called 'Momma' - Abigale M. Savanna D. Valerie R. Sarah K. Jennifer B. Charity B. Fritzi M. Stephanie C. Ashley K. Anne N.


Here's to the moms, that have brought a step child under their wings and guidance and treated them no less, than a perfect match and fit in that family - Joni G. Jodie H.


Here's to the mom, who sold all her baby stuff, swore there would be NO more and found out she was 3 months pregnant with number 4! Addy has been the biggest blessing to her momma's heart and changed that family only for the better! Lisa G.

Here's to all the homeschooling moms, who put their heart into all they do, even when it's tough and the world is throwing stones, you stick to your beliefs and the love of your kids, and do what so many of us couldn't! Deni Y. Gretchen I.Heather H.Gina C. Kara L. Rebeckah K. Becky R. Janyl A.Ruth J. Heidi Z.April T. Tricia S. 

Here's to all the single moms, who do it all! Wipe butts and take names! Lisa M. Dawn S. Kayla S. Tami S.Ricarda B.


Here's to all the Pastor's wives, that show me that God has called us to more than macaroni, but to train up our children and foster that love for Jesus! Jen B Jen J. Sue A. Rachel L.


Here's to some of the smartest moms I know. They could change a diaper and give you a scientific name for the 'stuff'. I usually can't keep up with you when you talk, but you are some smart ladies and I am too blond! - Rychel W. Gina H.


Here's to the mom, whose kids are grown, but she takes on the grandbaby, because no matter what season of life you are in, love is always blooming! - Marie M.


Here's to a mom, who has more babies in heaven to hold, than here on earth, but continues to touch the hearts of so many because of her losses. - Shelly A.


Here's to the mom, who does it alone, because her husband is serving our country and she supports our freedom, and does not selfishly hold him back, but encourages him and is proud of the man that he is!- Shannon C.


Here's to the moms that could come over, when I'm in my p.j.'s, folding laundry, sink full of dishes and still have morning breath, and they would not judge me, but laugh with me about the pig sty I live in! - Kerry H. Brittany I.

And here's to the moms, who inspire me by the way they love on their babies and are always encouraging me!
Marie M. Melissa F. Kathlyn G. Bekah B. Jenny F. Heather J. Susie W. Jessica H.

I hope I didn't forget anyone...If I did, 'Mommy brain' can be blamed!




Here's to me...a mom... up past bedtime ;) Good night lovely mothers! You done dang good! Happy Mother's Day! I love you !