Being A Long Distance Mom

Long distance relationship are hard! Even with all the fancy communication tools we have nowadays staying in truly touch isn't easy unless we are face to face with our loved ones. Add to that already difficult proposition trying to be a mom through the phone and Internet and you have an almost impossible task. This past week has made it very clear that even with the best of technology distance-momming is not the real deal.
My eldest Nicole has been sick - really sick it turns out - and has called me more since Sunday then in the whole month before. I've walked through her symptoms with her, told her what she need from the drug store and what to ask when she was finally convinced she had to see the doctor. I've fielded questions about fevers, racing heart beats and discussed hot tea vs orange juice. What I haven't been able to do is make her tea, feel her forehead or hug her and that's what really matters!
She is an exceptionally bright and talented young woman of whom I am very proud but in my heart of hearts she is still the little girl who would curl up in the big chair with her blanket and lamby wanting Momma to make her all better. She is still that teen who would lay on the couch covered in blankets sipping tea and trying to avoid going to the doctor. She is a smart girl who is learning to be a grown up (and that being a grown up is HARD) with a mom who isn't really ready to let go!



Feel better Nikki-Kate my love!!

Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Have you ever heard the expression "stop and smell the flowers"? I have - repeatedly. Living in Northern Virginia, growing up going to church activities and art lessons and softball and riding my bike all over Ashdale its something I heard one adult with an over-crowded schedule say to another all the time. Once I got to be one of those adults it became something I struggled with constantly. Over the years I have given up painting and sewing and even sleeping (thank You God for insomnia) trying to get all the things I felt needed done accomplished while trying to work and go to school again and raising my girls. It's not as easy as Momma made it look!! Now that neither girl lives at home and I'm done with school (for the time being?) and I'm not allowed to work my life has taken on a new tempo.

I've learned to not only stop and smell the roses, but also to; walk slowly enough through my days to enjoy the sunrise as well as the sunset, watch the trees change colors, listen to the birds sing and try to find them, enjoy the clouds dancing in the sky and generally find inspiration for life in God's creation around me. Living in southwest Virginia definatley helps with that quest, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Just driving from place to place fills your day with beautiful views and opportunities to see all sorts of "woodland" creatures.

Psalm 90 tells us: Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. What a wonderful promiseof which to be constantly reminded! I draw strenth from the Blue Ridge, they remind me of the power and might of the One Who created them and make me feel safe and protected. Psalm 72 reinforces this with the promise: The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

How wonderful is the Lord our God to those who love Him and are called by His Name!