Mother's Day Traditions

Good Wednesday morning!

I guess it depends on where you live if this is a good Wednesday morning or not. We woke up around 5:30 to the sound of tornado sirens... and while our little part of the world wasn't affected too badly, families north and south of us had significant damage. And it isn't over yet. We are now waiting six hours for the next line of storms to come through. And we are praying.

The Gallery Pic is an old one of The Boy taken the first of the year. I was so tired after Body Pump last night, I was unable to hold a camera. (I'm not kidding.)

RANDOMNESS #1 - Mikie is on his way to Chicago for a business trip this morning (in between storms). As always, we'll miss him terribly, but homecomings are very sweet. (Especially if he remembers to bring me a present.)

RANDOMNESS #2 - Since the kids are going to be home at 10:30 today (again, because of the storms), I think we'll treat the part of the day without storms as a Faulkner Family Movie Day (minus Mikie). I'm also thinking I will be ordering our Wednesday night pizza at lunch (because of the storms).

It sounds like a plan to me. A good plan!

Wednesday Wisdom - I decided to go with some C. S. Lewis quotes this morning. He definitely was a wise, wise man. It was hard to pick, but the following are a few of my favorites.

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." (This is my favorite. I really believe this, too. When you stop setting goals and/or dreaming dreams, life gets monotonous... and a little sad, I think.)

Mother's Day Traditions

I know it is still April, but May 8 will be here before you know it. I found some of these ideas on the Parent Magazine website.

A few years ago, Mike and the kids started doing the "same" thing for me every Mother's Day.

1. The Faulkner Five celebrate Mother's Day the third Sunday in May instead of the second Sunday. We visit Grandmother and Grandma on the original Mother's Day, and we have more time to spend with them since we are not rushed to celebrate my Mother's Day, too.

2. I always get the same gift. The three kids give me three beautiful hanging baskets of flowers for my front porch... and they take me out to lunch (my choice).

It doesn't bother me to wait a week to celebrate. It doesn't bother me it is always the same gift. I look forward to my flowers and going out to eat with my family.

Because of the "tradition," my kids will never be able to say, "I don't know what to get Mother for Mother's Day." It's pretty much set in stone!

The following ideas could also be used year after year after year... making it enjoyable for you, but easy for your husband and kiddos.

TAKE AN EXOTIC VACATION

Even if you can't afford to go to Paris for the weekend, you can still enjoy a little taste of France (or any other destination that intrigues you). Get some croissants for breakfast, pack a picnic lunch of French bread, cheese and fruit, or order a meal from your favorite deli or restaurant (quiche, etc.). Get into the flavor of the country. For an added touch, adorn your kitchen or dining room table with a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth and fresh flowers, put on some French music, and teach your kids a few basic words in French, such as "bonjour" (good morning) and "merci" (thank you).

NOTE - Your husband and kids could work together and pick a different country every year.

GO TO THE MOVIES

One good way to share family memories is to look at old photographs or home movies. If you live near Grandma or Grandpa, ask them to pull out old photos and movies of you as a child, and take a trip together down memory lane. Your kids will get a kick out of the styles of clothes you wore... not to mention the fact that you were once a baby, toddler or teen.

NOTE - You could also spend time together each year looking at the videos of your own children. It could be anything from their early videos to the videos you took of them during the past year. Kids love watching movies... especially if they are the stars!

GET PAMPERED

At some point on Mother's Day, you may want some time alone or a chance for a little rest and relaxation. Make sure you get what you need and deserve by asking for it in advance.

For instance, a few days before Mother's Day, give your husband and kids a list of five "services" you desire. The list could include:

An hour alone so I can call a friend or soak in the tub.
A chance to sleep in until 9 a.m.
A manicure at my favorite nail salon.
No sibling squabbles for an hour.
A home-cooked meal made by the family. (Clean-up included!)

Have your husband and kids make coupons for each of these services, and be sure to redeem them throughout Mother's Day weekend.

NOTE - This would be a great tradition. Again, the kids would NEVER have to ask, "What can I get Mom for Mother's Day?" Mom can just give them her list of desired "services" year after year after year.

Have a safe Wednesday. Assuming I have power, I'll be back tomorrow morning with Blog Linkage and a date. And if I don't have power... Well, I'll post as soon as I possibly can!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Thursday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda