I love Mother’s Day, if only because the girls’ secretive excitement is so much fun to watch. Okay, so I like the gifts too. I can’t help it; I’m only human and presents are fun. Especially Mother’s Day presents: finger paintings, handprints, homemade jewelry, confections of every sort, pencil holders, place mats. Each masterpiece is crafted with such love that its value is immeasurable.

The days leading up to Mom’s big event are also exciting. I can’t walk down the hall without hearing “Mama, don’t look!” and then a quick slam of a bedroom door. The last-minute shopping trip with Daddy is also a yearly tradition. One or two days in advance, my family all proudly announce that they need to run uptown to “run some errands.” Grinning from ear to ear, they hop in Dad’s truck waving and blowing kisses, assuming that Mom couldn’t possibly know what they are up to. An hour or two later they burst into the house with shouts of “Mama, close your eyes!” Then they seclude themselves in their rooms among sounds of wrapping paper and tape being pulled off the roll. They emerge sometime later with those same precious grins, their eyes wide with innocence. “Mama, you can’t go in our room, okay?”

“Okay,” I promise.

I hope they have things hidden well. I’d hate to stumble onto something when I check on them tonight. (Big smile)

Lord, thank You for my family. Thank You for special days. Thank You for the sound of little voices and for childish expressions of love.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

(Excerpted from Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional for Busy Moms)

Update: Gathering with the family tonight at the home of one of the girls. Celebrating mom-hood and grammy-hood!