A Mother's Work Is Never Done

(My Tiegan recited this poem to me for Mother's Day. And I wouldn't want it any other way.)

"Oh, a mother's work is never done,

And she doesn't have much time for play or fun.
It's a struggle to get through it,
Only mothers seem to do it.
Yes, a mother's work is never done!


Wake the kids up with a smile,
make the breakfast, clean the tile.

Pack the lunches, do the dishes,
Find the socks and grant the wishes.

Bake the cookies, wash the clothes,
Tie the shoes and make the bows.

Wipe the noses, wash the faces,
Stop the fights and check the braces.

Make the snacks and change the diapers,
Call the teachers, pay the pipers.

Make the beds and sweep the floor,
Get the phone and then the door.

Kiss the boo-boo's, feed the pet,
Help with homework, call the vet.

Read the stories, trim the bangs,
Clean the windows, check the fangs.

Laugh at jokes and guess the riddles,
Listen to the horns and fiddles.

Pull the teeth and call the fairy,
Smile a lot and never tarry!

Check for fevers and for pox,
Call the doctor, match the socks.

Set up car pools, do the shopping,
Plan the parties, do the mopping.

Watch kids swim and then play soccer,
Make a meal like Betty Crocker.

Find lost books, fix broken toys,
Wipe the tears and share the joys.

Catch the gerbils, shake the rugs,
Find lost dogs and give out hugs.

A mother's work is never done.
Every day she's on the run.

STILL...

With all a mother has to do,
She finds the time to love us, too!

So we thank you, Mom, for all you say and do.
And we thank you for your love; we love you, too.
It's not often that we show it,
But we want you, Mom, to know it:
Mom, we thank you for your love; we love you, too!

What do you make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To emphasize his point he said to another guest, 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?'

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

"You want to know what I make." (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

''I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.

I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'

(Bonnie paused one last time, then continued.)

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?'

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

A soldier's quiet time...

It was quiet that day, the guns, the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.

As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'

The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.'

The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.'

The soldier said, 'No, sir ... You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.'

The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John .

The Five is for the five virgins... there were ten, but only five of them were glorified.
The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives --- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he was kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week: 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards --- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, 'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

I'm a Mother.

Just A Mom, You Say?

"I'm just a mom,"

I overheard her say,

With eyes downcast

And a look of dismay.

I turned with a start

And enthusiastically decreed,

"A mom, did you say?

Oh, can it be?"

For a mom is a beacon

Shining so bright,

A landmark by day,

And a light by night.

She listens to stories

Woes and concerns,

With her eyes and her heart,

She quickly discerns.

Questions she asks,

To draw children out.

Building godly ones

Is what she's about.

She gives the gift

Of encouraging words.

With courage and strength

Their souls she girds.

She cheers them up,

When they are down,

And turns sad days,

Completely around.

She says, "You can do it!

I know that you can!"

And develops a boy

Into a man.

She builds self-esteem

Into young hearts.
Jesus Christ's power,

She thus imparts.

"Who am I?"

She hears them say

"You are God's child,

Loved - come what may."

Foundations of love,

Walls capable and strong,

Valued, adored,

They know they belong.

She sows seeds of Scripture,

Day after day.

And sows seeds of prayer,

That help point the way.

She guards information

That goes in their heads

And whispers a prayer

As they're tucked into beds.

She sets an example

Of how they should live,

Of how our Father

Can quickly forgive.

Love, joy and peace,

Is what they see,
Knowing the example she sets,

Is what they will be.

She never gives up

When life gets tough.

And doesn't give in

When kids get rough.

A warrior, a fighter,

She diligently prays,

And then at God's feet

Her children she lays.

"Just a mom," you say?

What an honor bestowed,

A beacon, a builder,

With many seeds sowed.

A listener, encourager,

Diligent too.

A mom, how blessed.

"My hat's off to you!"

I finished my sermon,

Not making a scene,

And transformed before me,

She looked like a queen.

Her eyes now beaming,

She sat tall and erect.

"Excuse me, sir,

I spoke incorrect.

God gave me a job,

that compares to none other,

Esteemed and chosen by Him.

You see, I'm a mother."

--Sharon Jaynes

Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids

The LION KING on Broadway

Last Saturday afternoon, you may have noticed my Facebook status update: Hakuna Matata. That's right, we were headed to THE LION KING live, on stage, Broadway style. Before leaving the house, the tiegkndy watched the animated, class act, Disney version of the Lion King. Ready to go! Broadway: Downtown Sacramento A special day out with just my little ladies.

This photo was taken during our 15 minute intermission. We had great seats, front and center, row D. (Thanks, Gramma.)

Showtime: When the lights finally dimmed, there was a stunning parade of animals. The first ten minutes, we twisted and turned in our seats to see what marvel would enter next: giraffes, zebras, gazelles, lions, wild beasts, elephants, a rhino, and so many others. The cast performers with twirling, diving birds took over the mezzanine. African animals poured into the auditorium along the center aisles, and assembled on stage filling it from side to side and top to bottom. It truly caught me off guard, even though I had some knowledge of what to expect before the curtain raised. The entrance down the aisle was over the top. The girls were smiling from ear to ear. I was left misty-eyed; overwhelmed by the production effort to create this epic film and make it theater; and musical for that matter.

The costumes were brilliant, depicting African culture. Simply amazing, I thought. And the essence of each character was captivated either by his "dominant" trait or stage presence accompanied by African-influenced music. The entire show was phenomenal. It was diverse. It was comic. It was incredibly emotional. SPECTACULAR! "Nants' Ingonyama Bakithi Baba!" "There's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done!" "Til we find our place on a path unwinding in the circle, the circle of life." Simba? Zazu? Has anyone seen the girls? "Oh, I just can't wait to be king."

Lion King Memorabilia

"A ballerina."

Our Kennedy had her BIG night two weeks ago. For the past month, she has been practicing her songs for the preschool celebration. She was very intent on her singing too. We loved every minute! All of the kids were asked to arrive 15 minutes early; only to be corralled into Room F until "the walk" (procession) began. A sea of proud parents, grandparents, friends and family could be seen hovering with their video recorders and cameras... ready to capture every moment of something said or silly moment. Once the kids were all seated, they began singing their songs for us. It was music to our ears. (Yes, some of us cried.) And there were some kids who didn't let us down and even made us laugh hysterically. Moments to remember. Then it was time to take care of business. Each child was called by name up to the front. When they arrived at the microphone, they were asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As Kennedy came forward, her hat blew off. She gracefully picked it up and placed it back on her head. Atta girl! She proudly walked up to the microphone and was ready to answer her question. Kennedy, what do you want to be when you grow up? She softly said, "A ballerina." We all applauded. She happily took her diploma and returned to her seat. Some of the other children said that they wanted to be a policeman, an animal doctor, a soccer player... BUT, the one that got the thumbs-up cheer was the little girl who said she wanted to be a ROCKSTAR when she "growd" up. It was all so cute. Afterwards, we celebrated with refreshments and cupcakes.

Kennedy, we are so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy.

Introducing the Class of 2022!

Kennedy's Preschool Celebration Songs

(Melody: Yankee Doodle)

Welcome, welcome everyone

To our celebration

We are so proud of this day

It's our graduation

Friends and family hear us roar

For our work is done

Next year we will all go off

To Kindergarten.

(Melody: I've Been Working on the Railroad)

I've been going to my preschool

All the whole year long

I've been going to my preschool

And I've learned a lot of songs

I can count and say my letters

I know all my colors too

I've been going to my preschool

All the whole year through

Graduation day, graduation day

Graduation day is finally here

Graduation day, graduation day

Graduation day is finally here.

(Melody: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)

Learned my letters ABC-ABC

Learned my numbers 123-123

I can even write my name with ease

Aren't you very proud of me

Proud of me

Kindergarten here we come

Here we come

Kindergarten here we come

Here we come

So long preschool

It's been fun

Kindergarten here we come

Here we come!

(Video of Kennedy singing her graduation song(s) coming soon. If I am lucky.)

I teach.

I teach.

I am an open blossom

And my students are the bees.

With each landing, they collect some dust

And leave some off on me.

The bees fly away and are forever changed.

Bees are my students,

And I am a blossom, open.

I teach.

Happy Mother's Day... to me... to YOU!

My friend, Carol, sent me the following video from CNNBC: "Sharleen Young Announced as 2009 Mother of the Year."

Watch it here:

(Click on this address link below:)
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=Tc5D_.Ippwma8ju0jqgCTTQ2MTM3NjU-&referred_by=16603982-7Te_egx

Happy Mother's Day... to me! ... to YOU!

Never judge a book by its cover

I so wanted to share this video of Susan Boyle. She wowed the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britain's Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables. A beautiful moment. Love this! Yay, for her. I dare you not to cry.

Click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Here are the Lyrics:

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame.

And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell
I'm living so different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.