Back to school, three simple words that carry so much anticipation for so many. Parents wait with bated breath as the calendar moves agonizingly slowly towards September. Children fantasize about stopping the flow of sand in the hourglass, making time stand still.

There is an office supply store that shows the same commercial every year that epitomizes the phenomenon of “Back to School Fever”.  A father gleefully pushes a shopping cart through the store grabbing randomly at assorted back to school paraphernalia and tossing it into the cart to the tune “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.

As dear daddy runs through the store with a goofy smile of victory, his offspring move slowly behind him with scowls of disgust, undoubtedly planning the demise of their giddy father.  It is definitely one of those “if looks could kill” moments that all parents experience from their children occasionally, that look that says “if only I had the guts and stupidity…then I’d really tell you off!”

I can’t identify with the joy the father feels. I love having my Ryan home with me. He is a huge help with the smaller children. Without ever complaining he works alongside me at home, participates with us wholeheartedly at preschool, assists the therapists as needed and lovingly tends to his younger brothers and sister.

I won’t be dancing down the aisles when school resumes. I’ll be missing my loyal helper, chief entertainment officer and right hand man. As much as I will miss Ry, the little ones will miss him even more. Their brother brings a delicate balance of love, fun and direction.  He intervenes when mama has reached the end of her rope and always manages to put a smile on my face, even when I feel too tired to stand up.  Ryan epitomizes the following passage in our household and for his servant’s heart I am truly grateful. I love you dear son.

 “Colossians 3:22-3:24”                                

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

 

 

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

 

 

My mother sent this too me via email not too long ago. It was on a particularly difficult morning and it made me smile when I received it. I had heard its contents once before, a few years ago at a teachers meeting in the old days “before babies” and loved it. I wish I knew its author so I could give due credit. Unfortunately since it seems to have been researched and written anonymously it will have to suffice that I’ve announced for the sake of copyright regulations that it is not handiwork of my making.

 

Why God Made Moms

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions :

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape  is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God  made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger
parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice
in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use
string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know  because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background.Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma  says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

 

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection.She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare  time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you  could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd  make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it
and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.