For the wonderful gift

21 Responses for "For the wonderful gift"

1. Dee May 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am 1

   Beautiful Card Lauren !!
   Love the purple/black..
   the polka dot dp really makes
   it all…POP !
   I enjoyed your post.. I know
   the feeling 🙂 …but knowing that
   i’ve done my best makes me feel
   so good…and that your kids appreciate
   you is even a greater feeling 🙂
   Hugs!!

2. Karen May 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am 2

   Lauren, your Mom job description is spot on!! I’m a SAHM too, but this year, I feel like I’m a running around Mom! And I know it will only increase as my youngest enters school. Being a SAHM is a tough job, but thankfully, the rewards are so wonderful. We may not be earning a pension, 401K, social security, or monetary paychecks, but seeing our kidlets reach their milestones, seeing their smiles, seeing them acheive their goals, big or small, all can make our hearts sing!! And when we have a child with special needs, it can make our job both way more challenging and infinitely more rewarding! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I love your chatty posts, Lauren. We I read it, it feels like I’m talking to an old friend, even though we’ve never met and do not know each other. You are full of life and we are lucky for your willingness to share it! :>

3. Maureen M May 29th, 2009 at 11:40 am 3

   You are too cute 🙂 I loved your want add!! I’m sure your are a great Mom, and your children will grow up and know that!!

4. Elizabeth S. May 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm 4

   Lauren, that description of a job for a mom is so perfect and wouldn’t that be a way to put in the paper. You are doing what you and can and that is all that you can do. I remember when my kids were younger (I have 4) and all close in age and taking them to all they were in and it seemed like I had two or more that had to be at the same place at the opposite side of town. But it was all worth it eventhough at the time you wonder how you can do it all. I was a stay at home mom myself. Keep up the good work in your life and with your crafty. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing all your beautiful work!!!

5. SueB May 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm 5

   Love your chats. I am 65 and DO have some regrets – but they are small. The most important thing in being a parent is that you love your kids unconditionally and that they know it – and that you protect them. You, Lauren, may be home with your kids but I honestly don’t know how you do it all. You design for a lot of companies and that takes thought and time to create. You do LOTS, girl, and your family is very blessed to have you.

6. Sue May 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm 6

   Well, I know how you feel. It’s hard to do it all and sometimes it feels unappreciated. I stay home too, but I do home daycare so that I can afford to stay home, and yet I can’t be at all the parties and field trips b/c I am ‘working’. Very hard to explain when they don’t think I ‘work’. 🙂 I’m sure your kids will remember all the good things you do and eventually Noah will forget about the missed party, lol! Don’t be so hard on yourself!!

   P.S. I love the card, such a cute image too!

7. Juanita D May 29th, 2009 at 8:08 pm 7

   Lauren,
   1st of all, you are a GREAT mom! And years from now, it won’t matter that the living room wasn’t spotless when a repair man showed up, or little incidents like that. I think every mother goes through those thoughts countless of times while her children are growing up. But in the end when they are grown and come home to Sunday dinner every once in awhile and you hear them talk to each other about remember this or remember that, then you know you did a good job after all!!!!
   So you keep your chin up and keep reaching for the stars.
   You will be richly rewarded in the end.

   And by the way, I love the purple and black on the card!!

8. Jo Ann Shive May 29th, 2009 at 8:16 pm 8

   Dear Lauren,
   Let me tell you something. I have raised two boys, now 23 and 21. I worked part time during their younger years. I think that as long as kids know their parents love each other and love them, they will grow up to be good people. We laugh more than we argue and always kiss hello and good bye. I am always amazed at what good responsible adults I have raised. There are pitfalls along the way but that is life. I have read how you feel about your husband and if your kids know how much their mom and dad love each other it gives them confidence in their security. You are a good mom. You have endured more than a lot of parents having to deal with a life threatening illness with a child. You have earned crowns in heaven, Lauren. I know I am a little long winded but your post hit a nerve so to speak. Keep doing what you are doing and you and Noah will always have the party you missed to laugh about when he is 30+. (Yes, he will be that age before you know it.) As for being organized, have you ever heard the joke that if you want to make God Laugh, tell him YOUR plans.

   Take care and keep cranking out the greatest ideas,

   Jo Ann

9. Maria May 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm 9

   hey there! Love your job description of MOM! It’s so true. Mine are only 3 and it’s hard work, I can’t imagine how crazy it will be when they are in school with friends, activities etc. I think I’m tired now and have mommy brain? What is going to happen then? Hey don’t worry blame mommy brain on that party you missed. Doesn’t matter how organized one is things will fall through the crack, but it’s ok! Sigh, I got even more tired reading all the stuff in your post. Like I’ve said before How the heck do you crank out all this good stuff?? I mean when do you do it?? OH MY! Great stuff my dear!

10. jules p May 29th, 2009 at 9:30 pm 10

    My “cape” became my brown book. (that is what it is referred to) It is a calendar/journal/life-line for me. I write everything in it. I carry it everywhere I go. Even to church.
    Everything I need to remember goes into this calendar. And even things I do not need to remember. (how the weather was for that day, what I fixed for supper etc)
    It is so much fun to look back and read the days. Plus, when I am stuck to what to fix for supper….I glance back and see what we had weeks ago. 🙂

    I have not missed one event since I got this thing…9 years ago. I look at it daily. It keeps me and my family going! 🙂

    Just a suggestion! It might help you!

    Great card!

11. Sandra May 30th, 2009 at 7:46 am 11

    I don’t think we ever stop beating ourselves up – we should … but I can relate to how you feel. I can remember when I went back to work part time – I still tried to do everything – and I was able to … for the most part. There comes a day when 2 of them have an event at the same time – and you have to decide which one to go to …. that one still makes me cry – I will not be there for the soccer game … I am now back to work full time and it is all that much harder.
    I know I get kisses every time my big guy passes me, he just completed his freshman year at college … so I am guessing that he has realized everything I have done and that I am/was appreciated.
    Moral of the story here – they do appreciate it if they realize it or not at this time.
    Hang in there!
    Sandra

12. Silvia May 30th, 2009 at 8:35 am 12

    I love your job description for MOM!
    You just made laugh today and lift up my spirit today. It was not such a bright day today for me. So, I am glad I check your blog today! I will be sharing this beautiful post with my friends. I think is beautiful! no body could have describe our job as a mom as you just did.

13. Kathi May 30th, 2009 at 9:27 am 13

    I can only “ditto” much of what has already been written. My sons are 23, 22, and 18. All Eagle Scouts and members of the military. I’ve dealth with sending them off to boy scout camp for 10 days, off to college and now off to boot camp and the military. And I thought Pre-school was tough! It never gets easy to watch them grow, but you are right – we raise them to become strong, independent individuals. Those apron strings are tied tight. But my sons each call me often and I am always the first to get the call with good news or bad. It tells me I DID do it right. Even though I made mistakes along the way, but we all do. I also missed parties as room mother. Experienced having two at the same time (opted to run between both) and couldn’t be at everything do to work. I was lucky to have my own company. My boys knew I did my best and I made sure at the time they understood that. I always was careful that as a single mom they had only age approporate information. There is adult information and child information. We have to use our best judgement at the time. Early on I worried how clean my house was – Then realized it only needed to be organized (one child has ADD/Autism). As they became older it WAS every day with extra events after school or evenings. We finally learned it became too much and selected their favorites. But they were exposed to many choices and I am grateful for that. You have a good head on your shoulders – just remember to take care of yourself and get enough rest so you can keep your patience with those doll babies. It is hard to say “no”, but as the years go on, you may have to make some hard choices. That guilt sign will eventually go away as you grow older – I promise. Right now your children want you at everything – be thankful. Once they get into their teens, they want you there – but they won’t want anyone to know you are…LOL! GOD Bless. Kathi

14. momishappy May 30th, 2009 at 10:00 am 14

    Just remember that family comes first. As my mother always said, ‘the dust bunnies can wait until tomorrow, because I need to be with my children on their special occasions’. The only events I can remember her or my dad missing is when she was in the hospital having one of my siblings. One or both of them was always at my events.

    I have tried to do the same for my son. I was retired by his senior year in high school. He was active in all the bands so he volunteered me to chaparone everything that year. It was nice to know that he just assumed that I and my husband would be there for him. In fact on one trip, he actually said thank you to us as most parents would not go. (I almost fainted when he said that, but he is growing up)

    Some day you will look back on these times and wonder how your children have grown so quickly. Take lots of pictures. It seems like just yesterday that our son was in grade school and now he has just finished his freshman year at college. (and yes they still need you at 19)

    Enjoy your family to the fullest, they are most important.

15. Vicki May 30th, 2009 at 10:13 am 15

    Lauren – I used to be super organized also and as my kids got older, I became more and more confused LOL! I found it became more and more difficult to keep everything straight as my kids’ activities increased. And then perimenapause started and I really lost it LOL! My best advice is to not expect to remember everything and don’t expect to be perfect. We are just human – I’m glad you lost that wonder woman cape.
    Vicki

16. Rene' Tucker May 30th, 2009 at 4:48 pm 16

    One day my mother (who is now gone) told me she regretted not having nicer things for me like a fancy bedroom with nice furniture, paint, etc. That would have never ever entered my mind as a regret she might have. I had little recollection of all the different houses we lived in and what my room was like (although the same bedroom furniture went with me every move until I married and moved out). I don’t recall whether the house was clean, organized or particularly full of “things”, but I DO remember when she was happy. And when she was around and involved in our lives and activities. If she was stressed or tense, we felt it. If she was relaxed and happy, we were comfortable and secure. There is a book “Little House on the Freeway” that talks about how frenetic our lives can get whether we are SAHMs or work full-time or have workaholic husbands. It’s a daily choice to keep a lid on things so that home is a refuge — for everyone in the family. For example, I learned to give our daughter a choice of one and only one extra-curricular activity outside of school. That included certain church activities. When we broke that rule, we all paid for it. Growing up we also did not have a birthday “party” every single year. We siblings took turns each year and in-between party years we still got to have our favorite dinner, cake and presents from family. Anyway, all I’m saying is that as the adults, we need to control our own schedules and that of our children even if they think we are “mean Moms”. Starting each day with the Lord and in prayer can help priorities fall into place so smoothly it’s amazing. I have friends with 3, 4, 5 children and they all do a great job but it is a challenge. Hooray for those of you that have the ability or can make the sacrifice to be at home to nurture your children. God bless.

17. Lisa (lakind) May 30th, 2009 at 9:32 pm 17

    I love your comment “organization is the illusion of perfection”! You should have Nichole make that into a stamp for you! I’m sure it would be a seller! LOL! Great card, btw!

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