So Very Sweet...

I get kinda spoiled during the month of May.  First it's Mother's Day and then within a week or so, it's my birthday.  LOVE that! Yes, May is a good month for me!

I must say that this Mother's Day and this birthday will be hard to forget.  It wasn't because of any particular gift that was given or anything like that.  I will explain............

Having my kids learn to love and serve has been important to me.  I look for opportunities for them to do these things.  Treats to their primary leaders on their birthdays or if they are sick. Notes to grandparents. Whatever I can think of.  I want them to see me serving.  "Hey wanna come with me to deliver this meal?". I want them to see me serving and loving with a happy heart, all with the hope that it will rub off on them and they will do the same.

Well, on Mother's Day this year, for the first time EVER, the kids all woke up early to make ME breakfast. They are NOT big fans of getting up early and Sunday mornings are often a little grouchy around our house.  We have a bunch of night owls, apparently.   It was really, really sweet and I was touched.  They put it on a tray and brought it to me as I was fixing my hair.  They helped keep the house tidy and cleaned up after meals. Hugs from Seth, who doesn't do that often. A card from Addie and many homemade necklaces as she sat behind the couch and made one after another for me.   I could tell they were trying to serve me and it made my day.

Then on Saturday, we were planning on having my mom over to celebrate both our birthdays since hers is three days after mine.  Sasha asked me to take her to the dollar store so she could get something for her grandma.  I was impressed that she thought of this on her own.  I always like a trip to the dollar store so off we went. She used her own money and picked out what she wanted to give her grandma.  A new mug, some lotion, and a treat.  When the time came to for grandma and I to open our gifts from each other, Sasha had a gift for me, as well.  She was totally sneaky and had gotten me a few things on our trip to the dollar store, too.  Again, I was touched.  What a sweet girl.

Today is my birthday and my kids have loved me and served me all day. I came to the kitchen this morning to see that Sasha woke up early and made me breakfast and then went back to sleep on the couch.  She is our total night owl so for her to have done this for me was impressive.  They tidied the house while I was gone getting my hair cut.We ate lunch at a favorite Chinese restaurant, and Seth did not utter one complaint despite the fact it is NOT his favorite place.  Sasha made me a cake and decorated it all on her own.  It fell apart as she tried to take it out of the pan so she could frost it, and she felt so bad!  But, we smothered it with frosting and it was quite delicious.

Sometimes I wonder if what I am doing as a mother is even working.  Are they learning?  Am I helping?  Seeing my kids love and serve me in their own way made my heart so happy. What a tender mercy.  It really was so very sweet. They REALLY do love me.....I'll try to remember that when they most likely groan tomorrow when I happily say, "Did you get your jobs done???".