Stella the Goose Shared Some Momma Tips

I love being a Momma, and I've learned mothering tips by watching others; my Mom, sisters, friends, mentors, even a goose! Recently I “met” a Goose Momma and observed that she and I have quite a bit in common as we raise our families… 

Stella is a local goose who chose a whiskey flower barrel at our local Tides Tavern to build her nest and lay her eggs. She has been sitting faithfully on her eggs for quite some time and I’m happy to report that six little ones hatched on Cinco de Mayo! (Maybe the party atmosphere pushed her into labor…)

Stella stayed responsible even when she was tired, bored and wanted to go off and do her own thing. Stella chose a goose to marry and share the parenting role with, who would literally watch her back. (Mack, the male goose/Dad, could be seen sitting nearby on the dock, ready to scare off Otters or anyone else threatening his wife and children.) 

Stella understands that her little ones are only going to be in her nest for a short period of time, so she needs to love and nurture them, and then allow them to go off and explore the world without her. (Do geese return home to visit their Mommas? I wonder...)

I too know that even though the young years seemed to stretch on, when I look back it was totally worth it. I too am married to an amazing man who provides and protects and is a great Father. I too have children who won’t be in my “nest” much longer. I am trying to stay strong as my last little one finishes her senior year and gets ready to leave the nest for college in the fall. My 20 year old son really is flying off far away; he is leaving for Hong Kong in two weeks for a summer internship, and then will spend the fall semester at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE) in Nanchang, China. My older daughter recently graduated from college and is making plans to move up to Seattle and get a job. My oldest son, (the one who turned this young, inexperienced wife into a mommy), is married, teaching, and living in Chicago.

I imagine Stella pondered what her little ones would be like, and if she’d hatch boys or girls. My four have some similar characteristics and yet are very unique. I couldn't have fathomed the amazing young women and men that my babies would grow up to become.  “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”Ephesians 2:10

Stella the goose has two things going for her that I’m a bit envious of; she spends every day on the deck of my favorite local restaurant, and her nest won’t ever be cluttered with baby paraphernalia that years later morphs into piles of clothes, books, and stuff from a college boy returning from the dorm!

I hope all you Mommies had a wonderful Mother’s Day and are enjoying your nests whether full or empty.

In His Grip, Jane

I love YOU Mom! xoxo

There's Something about a Song

Yesterday was a great day here in the Harbor. I enjoyed some cooking, a walk, weeding in the sun, then driving from one side of town to the other in my husband's car with the top down and my country music blasting. I finally chose my senior’s pictures and caught up on a recorded show while clearing off the piles on my desk.  Everything about the day was fantastic until I woke up at 2:30 A.M. and could not go back to sleep…

As I tossed and turned I couldn't even focus on prayer because a song kept playing in my head; “There’s somethin’ ‘bout a truck.” by Kip Moore. I had heard it so many times yesterday that it was stuck.  My brain could not stop singing it.  I finally got up, made a pop-tart (it’s my middle of the night go-to snack) and started reading a new book. I made the mistake of inviting my cat in my room to join me before I finally fell asleep. Tigger is not quiet when he awakens and wants his breakfast and of course he woke me up way before my alarm went off. I felt like a tired new mommy with a newborn crying.  I threw him out my door and for good measure yelled and tossed a pillow at him. (I promise, I never threw my four kids although I probably wanted to.)

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head? Can a believer love country music? I’m pretty sure Jesus doesn't mind, but  perhaps I should have switched over a few more times to the Christian station so the lyrics that were running through my brain had more to do with God and less to do with beer and fun in the back of a pick-up truck. Let me know if there are any other Jesus-loving country music fans out there or if you know a fun place to go line-dancing. I do own a red sundress-I just need some boots! (The photo above was taken last summer in California. I couldn't find one of Mike's car and I'm too lazy to go take one.)

Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

What lovely things are you fixing your thoughts on? Today as I run errands I think I’ll take my Kia and listen to a book on tape. There’s somethin’ about a convertible and country music…

(Click the link below and you too can get it stuck in your head. I'm not good at attaching links, so if it doesn't work look it up on You Tube.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YfNFR6gh2E

I do own a red sundress-I just need some boots!

 

In His Grip, Jane

I Want Her Nose

photo source: TV.com

 “It’s just you.” I hear that phrase constantly from my hubby. Apparently I am the only one in the family with the ultra-sensitive nose that notices unpleasant fragrances around our house-especially the trash compactor. Funny how I had always wanted one and now that I’m in a rental home with the smashing contraption I am finding it has a disadvantage. Sure I use fewer bags and less trash cans…but the rotten food smell escapes each time I slide that darn thing open and I can only find the special pricey bags at one store.

Thanks to my Daddy’s side of the family, I have a “can’t be a model” shaped nose that is also superior in its ability to detect good and bad smells.  I LOVE to smell flowers, yummy things baking, coffee perking, candles, great aftershave, and fresh air. I do NOT like our trash compactor smell, Tigger’s litter box (even though I scoop daily) and kitchens when grease is frying. I do NOT like to leave a restaurant and have my clothes smell like food all day. Yes, I do exasperate my husband.

I want her nose. Samantha on the TV classic Bewitched had a cute nose with the ability to wiggle and produce results. I don’t remember episodes that ever mentioned her noticing bad smells. She just got things done. If I had her nose I could wiggle my way to having a totally organized garage without having to deal with preparing for a give-away, trips to Goodwill and the dump. Sarah’s graduation pictures would be chosen, her announcements created, addressed and mailed.  My home would be dust-free and sweet-smelling. I’m not advocating witchcraft since I am a believing, Jesus-follower, but…to have the ability to do or undo?  Nice…

Please come visit me out on the corner but keep in mind I really have been bleaching the trash compactor, using my favorite Mrs. Meyer’s cleaners and lighting candles. What I hope you notice even more is the fragrance of Christ in our conversation; “a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” Phil. 4:18

2 Chronicles 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

I’m coming to terms with my talented and annoying nose.  If only I could use my nose and get paid for it! Does anyone know of a job for a “sniffer”? 

My amazing sweet-smelling Lilac bushes are giving my nose great joy!

Have a sweet weekend!

In His Grip, Jane