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2010/04/26
My Mother’s Garden
My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it’s start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem…
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough
But not too much because she knew
I’d need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me
~ Author Unknown ~
Before I was a Mom…
Before I was a Mom…
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
Before I was a Mom…
I slept as late as I wanted.
And never worried about how late I got
into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.
Before I was a Mom…
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words
to lullabies.
Before I was a Mom…
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants
were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was Mom…
I had never been puked on,
Pooped on,
Spat on,
Chewed on,
Peed on,
Or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom…
I had complete control of my mind,
My thoughts.
My body,
And my time.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom…
I never held down a screaming child,
So that doctors could do tests,
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and
cried.
Before I was a Mom…
I never got gloriously happy over
a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours
at night
Watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom…
I never held a sleeping baby just because.
I didn’t want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million
pieces
When I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom…
I didn’t know the feeling of having my
heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to
feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a mother
and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom…
I had never risen in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderment,
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable
of feeling so much before I was a Mom!
~ Author Unknown ~
A Mother’s Letter to Her Three Children
Dear First Born:
I’ve always loved you best because you were my miracle. You were the genesis of a marriage and the fulfillment of young love. You sustained me through the hamburger years, the first apartment (furnished in Early Poverty), and my first mode of transportation (feet).
You were new, had unused grandparents, and enough clothes for a set triplets. You were the original model for a mom who was trying to work the bugs out. You got the strained lamb, the open safety pins and three-hour naps. You were the beginning.
Dear Middle Child:
I’ve always loved you best because you drew a tough spot in the family, and it made you stronger for it. You cried less, had more patience, wore faded hand-me-downs, and never in your life did you get anything first. But it only made you special.
You were the one I relaxed with, and realized a dog could kiss you and you wouldn’t get sick. You could cross the street by yourself long before you were old enough to get married . . . and you helped me understand the world wouldn’t collapse if you went to bed with dirty feet.
You were the child of my busy, ambitious years, and without you, I would not have survived the job changes and the tedium and routine that is marriage.
To The Baby:
I’ve always loved you best because while endings are generally sad, you are such a joy.
You readily accepted the milk-stained bibs, the lower bunk, the cracked baseball bat, the baby book that had nothing written in it except a recipe for graham-cracker pie crust that someone had jammed between the pages. You are the one I held onto so tightly. You are the link with my past, a reason for tomorrow.
You darken my hair, quicken my steps, square my shoulders, restore my vision, and give me a sense of humor that security, maturity, and durability can’t provide. When your hairline takes on the shape of Lake Erie and your own children tower over you, you will still be my baby.
. . . from mother . . .
~ Author Unknown ~
2010/04/22
Today is Earth Day! Plant a tree. Read the poem below to find what you get  when you plant a tree. The poem was written by my great-great-uncle, Henry Abbey. You can plant a tree on both Earth Day and Arbor Day – let it become a tradition for you and your grandchildren. Planting trees (on Earth Day, Arbor Day, or any day) is about keeping our natural resources intact for our grandchildren and beyond. Also in honor of Earth Day, Avatar is being released on DVD today. Director James Cameron expressed his hope that ‘Avatar’ will be a force for good in the battle to save the environment by elevating environmental consciousness and Earth Day is the time to start. Cameron has aligned himself — and the ‘Avatar’ release — with the Earth Day Network and its tree-planting campaign, which has a goal of planting one million trees in 15 countries.
Read the poem with your grandchildren, discuss what other things we get from trees, plant a tree (or one for each grandchil), and go see Avatar with them, too. We did.
What do we plant (when we plant the tree)?
by the American author, Henry Abbey (1842-1911)
(my great-great-uncle)
What do we plant when we plant the tree?
We plant the ship, which will cross the sea.
We plant the mast to carry the sails;
We plant the planks to withstand the gales –
The keel, the keelson, and the beam and knee;
We plant the ship when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree?
We plant the houses for you and me.
We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors.
We plant the studding, the lath, the doors,
The beams, and siding, all parts that be;
We plant the house when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree?
A thousand things that we daily see;
We plant the spire that out-towers the crag,
We plant the staff for our country’s flag,
We plant the shade, from the hot sun free;
We plant all these when we plant the tree.
Another version found online
What do we get when we plant the tree?
We plant the ship which will cross the sea;
We plant the pencils to scribble our notes,
We plant the ballots to cast our votes;
We plant the paper in which we read,
The news that o’er wooden poles we speed,
We plant the piles to erect our docks;
We plant the rayon for shirts and socks.
What do we plant when we plant a tree?
We plant the houses for you and me;
We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors,
We plant the studding, the lath, the doors,
The beams and siding, all the parts that be;
We plant the house when we plant the tree,
We plant the barrel, the box, the crate;
In which to ship all sorts of freight.
What do we plant when we plant a tree?
A thousand things that we daily see,
We plant the spire that out-towers the crag,
We plant the staff for our country’s flag;
We plant the shade from the hot sun free,
We plant all these when we plant the tree.
2010/04/20
Mother’s Day is a wonderful family day for us. We get together, enjoy great food, play games, and remember mothers and grandmothers no longer with us. Reminiscing about the good times adds even more meaning to Mother’s Day. Now that I am our family’s Matriarch, I don’t have to do the cooking so I’m able to enjoy more time with my kids and grandkids. It’s very nice being waited on! That’s all the gift I need on Mother’s Day. An inexpensive, yet sentimental, gift that every mother would enjoy is a meaningful poem given from the heart. Choosing a special poem to express love and appreciation is a Mother’s Day gift that can’t miss. Print your poem on pink cardstock, add a special photo and present your Mother’s Day gift in an attractive frame so Mom can enjoy her Mother’s Day poem always. Here are 10 Mother’s Day Poems that you might like to choose from…
Mother’s Day
The kindest face I’ll ever see,
The kindest voice I’ll ever hear.
The one who cares the most for me
Is my own mother dear.
All through the year
I’ll try to do
The things that show
My love for you.
And not be happy just to say,
“I love you, Mother,” on Mother’s Day.
~ Author Unknown ~
Mother Dear
Take an angel from the sky
And send her down this way.
Then send some little boys and girls
To keep her company.
Then fill her heart
With Mother love,
Give her a smile of cheer.
And you’ll have a kind of Mother
Just like my Mother, dear.
~ Author Unknown ~
Mothers and Daughters
We’re daughters and mothers
Not so long ago.
We give and take
And take and give
Along time’s endless row.
Love is passed
And love received
To be passed on again:
A precious heirloom
Twice, twice blessed,
A spiritual cardigan.
I’ll put it on
And treasure it,
The me I have received,
And when the roles
Reverse again,
I’ll have what I most need.
So may our love
Go on and on,
A hundred thousand years;
Mothers and daughters,
Daughters and mothers,
Through joys and other tears.
~ Author Unknown ~
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Mom’s smiles can brighten any moment,
Mom’s hugs put joy in all our days,
Mom’s love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways…
The values you’ve taught,
the care you’ve given,
and the wonderful love you’ve shown,
have enriched my life
in more ways than I can count.
I Love you Mom!
~ Author Unknown ~
The Sweetest Mother
Our mother is the sweetest and
Most delicate of all.
She knows more of paradise
Than angels can recall.
She’s not only beautiful
But passionately young,
Playful as a kid, yet wise
As one who has lived long.
Her love is like the rush of life,
A bubbling, laughing spring
That runs through all like liquid light
And makes the mountains sing.
~ Author Unknown ~
Always Mom
You were my fairy tale princess,
So much larger than life.
You were my angel and my witness
Through all my pain and strife.
At times you made me angry,
Great words I would proclaim
How someday you’d be sorry.
You were the one to blame.
But when I needed comforting
You alway found the time.
Your words were more soothing
Than days of childhood sublime.
Now the distance holds us apart,
The boundaries have no end.
I’ll hold the memories in my heart.
You’re my mother, my best friend
~ Author Unknown ~
When God Planted His Garden
When the wise God planted His garden,
scattering the seeds from above,
The choicest seed in His packet
Was the flower of Mother-love.
Carefully watched o’er and tended,
Nurtured by sunshine and shower,
Ever growing sturdy and stronger,
It blooms-a beautiful flower.
A flower so sweet and entrancing,
Dazzling and shining and white,
A love that guards us and guides us
Through hfe~our beacon light.
A love that steadies our footsteps,
That stretches a helpful hand,
That comforts our sorrows and heartaches,
That always will understand.
Mother-love, God’s gift to His children,
With heavenly fragrance fraught;
The brightest flower in God’s garden,
His truest forget-me-not.
~ Author Unknown ~
God Created Mothers
God knew that little ones need love
so He created mothers
With understanding hearts and
gentle hands that care for others…
They feed us and they hug us
and they help us find our things…
Then later on, they step aside
and let us try our wings…
We know they’re always on our side
whatever may befall,
That’s why we need them just as much
when we’re no longer small…
Yes, God created mothers
to give love their whole lives through…
That’s why they’re treasured very much
especially one like you!
~ Author Unknown ~
My Mommy Cuddles Me
My mommy cuddles me
kisses me, hugs me and misses me
pampers me, praises me, always
amazes me
Washes my clothes for me,
tickles my toes for me,
giggles and talks with me,
and also goes on walks with me,
Says “sweet dreams” to me,
Sings sweet songs to me,
I am glad she belongs to me.
~ Author Unknown ~
A Mother is Loving
You are special and loving,
and the closest part of my Heart.
You’re an epitome of Love and kindness,
and so special…
There’s no one like a Mother and
no Mother quite like you.
You are so very thoughtful and caring,
and I just want to thank you Mother,
for making my life brighter.
~ Author Unknown ~
2010/04/15
Getting kids to pick up their toys and clothes without a battle has been an ongoing  challenge for parents throughout time. I know it was in our home…times three! I’ve been asked many times for how to approach this topic with minimal conflict. To offer the best parenting advice, I’ve reached out to Emma Jenner, child development, sleep and behavior specialist who is the founder of Emma’s Children (www.Emmaschildren.com). Read on to learn Emma Jenner’s positive parenting tips on…
How to Get Kids to Pick Up After Themselves Without a Battle
Tired of your child’s toys cluttering up every space possible, not to mention the battle that follows your simple request, “please put away your toys”?
Kids will be kids, but it’s our job to teach them to clean up after themselves and yes, it is possible. Now, like with all things kid related the famous word ‘consistency’ plays a huge roll. You must be consistent.
Here are some positive parenting tips:
- Encourage your child to take out one thing at a time. They should put away whatever they were playing with before they are allowed to take something new out.
- Give your child age appropriate responsibilities. They will be less likely to make a huge mess if they are the ones responsible to clean it all up again. Remember, if your child is capable of taking a toy out they are perfectly capable of putting it away.
- Teach them to look after their toys, if they are all over the place they may get lost or even broken and then they wont be able to play with them at all.
- Make it fun and not so much of a chore. Make up games (set a timer) or sing songs. This is a really fun way to encourage your child to tidy up. One of my favorite clean up songs is “clean up clean up everybody everywhere, clean up clean up everybody do your share”.
- Give everything a home and have separate containers for cars, dolls, Lego, characters etc. and clearly label them. Not only does this make it more fun but also educational.
- Have your child tidy up at the end of each day and at the end of a play date, all children should help.
Now having said all this, your children need you to establish the rules and be consistent. If you let your child off the hook one day, then please note they will expect it all the time and the battle will remain.
Happy cleaning, children!
Do you have a question on parenting, grandparenting, raising healthy kids, combating childhood obesity, etc? Ask Nana and I’ll get an expert to answer your question.
2010/04/10
Welcome a new baby or grandbaby into your or a friend’s family with a heartfelt baby poem. Two of my nieces are expecting their first baby within the next few months. It’s always a nice added touch to include a special poem with your baby gift. It will be something the new mother-to-be will cherish as a keepsake. Take one of the following baby poems, copy and past into Word, change the font to one of your choice, double space the lines, and print onto baby themed or pastel color card stock. Place the poem in an attractive frame to be placed in the baby’s room. (See the comment below suggesting adding handprints to a baby poem.)
The following baby poems celebrate the miracle and joy babies bring to everyone…
Tuesday’s Child
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go,
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for a living,
But the child born on a Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
~ Author unknown ~
Two Little Feet
Two little feet, ten little toes,
Leave their impressions today.
Soon they will wear two little shoes,
And be running and jumping at play.
Two little feet, too little time,
Before they are walking to school,
Kicking a rock, or skipping a rope,
Wading a puddle or jumping a pool.
Two little feet, One little child,
Will soon go their own way,
But footprints in my mind recall,
They stood here yesterday.
~ Author Unknown ~
Mother’s Heart
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You’re part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.
I’d daydream of the things we’d share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.
I thought of things you’d want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.
I thought of lessons I’d need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.
Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.
Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper, “I love you” every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journeys begin,
My heart’s yours forever little one.
~ Author Unknown ~
(more…)
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