Thankful to Tears

Today is one of those days.  My heart is so full and so empty, all at the same time.  We’ve had two of the best days of the summer thanks to some beautiful friends who came to spend a few days with us.  They left today and we’re all feeling so full of heart, yet so emotionally raw.

Sawyer broke down at the lunch table a bit ago crying because she missed them already.  Through her tears, she said, “I just love them so much.”  Well said, sugar.  Well said. 

The Lord has been so gracious to my family and has blessed us with some pretty fantastic people that we get to do this life with…

Our neighbors are special people.  If I have to live in the-middle-of-nowhere Colorado, I am certainly glad they are here with me.

There’s not much that can warm my heart more than when someone dotes on or shows kindness to or gives gifts to my kids.  When someone goes out of their way to compliment them or include them or speak life to them or protect them just as they would their own, that’s a special thing…and Gillian does just that.

This woman has shown me what it’s like to love other people’s kids. 

Sawyer with Gillian (and friends) on her wedding day
Sawyer with Gillian (and friends) on her wedding day

I’ll easily admit, I haven’t been the greatest at that.  Sometimes, other people’s kids are a bit hard to love, ya know what I mean?  You know you do…. I’m getting better, because of people like her.

Any and every time I’ve needed her to watch the kids (or when they’ve just flat begged to go over) she has never made me feel like a burden, has always begged for them to come right back and always has fun things for them to do while they are there.  She’s always got her eye on them and sends me pictures of their day.  She hugs them and loves on them just as she does her own son.  She is a safe (and fun) place for them and that alone is priceless to me.

She is beautiful – seriously beautiful – and kind and gracious and encouraging.  I could talk to her for hours even though we usually only get minutes!  She is one of our biggest treasures and one of my favorite friends.

Gillian, we are so thankful for you.  Thank you for teaching my through your example how to love other people’s kids and to love them well….

This lady…

Momma Jeanie
Momma Jeanie

What in the world would I do without this lady? 

She is a well of wisdom; deep abiding waters drenched in love with a knack for spilling it out at just the right time in just the right way.  ***My phone dinged minutes ago with her checking in, asking me to be kind with myself.

She’s a momma to me.  She’s stood beside me as I birthed all three of my babies and got to bless them in Jesus name as I recovered.  She has listened to my scared and aching heart more times than I care to count.  She has stood in the familial gap when there’s been no one on my side to stand with me.  She is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and she acts and responds and speaks in His power and authority and I am blessed because of it.

She’s the one I get to send all of my silly baby videos to because I know she see’s the beauty I see.  She’s the one I get to bounce ideas off of and get real, honest, loving feedback from.  She’s the one that knows my struggles because it takes one to know one; we are cut from some of the same cloth, she and I.  What an honor…

She has loved me like her own for 6+ years now…given of herself so selflessly…and healed some wounded areas in my heart by doing so.

Mom-a-la, you are a treasure.   Thank the Lord for Wal-Mart and bright blue church t-shirts.  My life wouldn’t be the same without you in it.  Thank you for all you do for me and for being the best spiritual momma (and real momma) a girl could ever ask for.

And finally, my sweet friend, Roisin.  She is breathtakingly beautiful, incredibly organized and efficient, unshakable in any way shape or form and is the most loving, doting, Godly mother I have ever met.  She is the wife and mom I aspire to be. 

Roisin and her beautiful family
Roisin and her beautiful family

She and the kids came and stayed with us for a couple of days (poor Mike had to work – we missed you!) and we had the best time!  Hence my sappy heart today…

She and Mike are the epitome of Godly parents.  They love the Lord and are constantly and consistently taking the pieces of their lives back to Him and His word and strive to live in obedience to Him…and the fruit of their labors is evident.

Her kids are so gentle and loving and encouraging, not only to each other, but to our kids as well.  For the past two days, they have helped Wryder up and down the stairs…helped me change baby Sayble’s diapers…played all kinds of silliness with both kids…blessed Sawyer for her birthday…were so grateful and polite and easily entertained – these are the kinds of kids that are quite easy to love, by the way.  🙂

They are all of those things because she is all of those things.  Her oldest daughter told me I needed a cape because I was super mom.  If I need a cape, Roisin needs a cape AND a crown AND a ceptor…

She is a wife who honors her husband; she loves him and loves to spend time with him and takes joy in being his helpmate.  She takes care of her home and always has it in such splendid order, despite the wildly creative fun the kids are always engaged in.  She prays for her family and over her family and is very intentional about teaching them how to love and honor the Lord and each other.  She is a devoted friend – quick to listen, quick to pray and quick to lend hand.  She has loved me and my family from day one without any reservations or hesitations; she was just all in!

Someone once told me that she’s the woman who, if it weren’t for her overwhelmingly kind and gracious self, you’d just want to punch in the face for being so darn near perfect.  It made me laugh because I agreed.  🙂

Sweet Roisin, you are such an inspiration to me.  If I could do life half as graciously as you, I would consider myself wildly successful.  Thank you for loving my family so wholly.  We feel quite undeserving of your affection and your time but we are oh-so grateful for it.  You and your family mean more to us than we could ever, ever fully put into words.  Just know you are in our hearts.   And?  I’d never punch you in the face, just so we’re clear. 

So thankful for these wonderful women.  Thankful to tears.  Sappy momma needs a nap…

One thought on “Thankful to Tears”

  1. Awwwwwwww, Stefane! LOVE ou so much. So honored to be on this page! Dp you KNOW how many women look at you and think, “Wow, Stefane is just drop-dead gorgeous! She is so creative and organized, such a loving wife, such a fun mommy!” Have any idea? MANY! You are so generous in heart and spirit. None of us can resist you! xoxoxoxo

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