Father Knows (and loves) Best

Ahhh.... the long weekend. All the way home from work I was looking forward to an evening of relaxing, sitting and catching up on the week's happenings with Tony. Our two oldest daughters were on their way to Kamloops to visit their cousins and we had just one child at home.

Peace and quiet for three whole days.

We had just finished supper and sat down when the phone rang.

"Mom? We're at the snow shed. Can you believe it? We got a flat tire! I just laughed when it happened! Is dad there?"

Now I have to interrupt my story to say that Tony had for weeks before this expressed his concern over this 3 hour trip in her little Honda Civic loaded with 4 girls and significant luggage (as only girls can do) and a stupid little donut (his words) for a spare tire. He reminded her on more than one occasion to buy a proper spare tire. Did she choose to listen to his fatherly wisdom and buy that spare tire? Obviously not... hence the phone call from somewhere on the Coquihalla Highway. Trust me, she might have been laughing, her father was not.

After many phone calls back and forth, Karlee making a "Please Help" sign, Jenna standing on a sand pile to get reception to talk to her dad and him saying, "No, don't try to take the lugnuts off the ornamental hubcap," they got the tire changed and we came up with a plan where they could still get to Kamloops and enjoy their weekend away that they had been anticipating for so long. The plan, of course, consisted of me driving to Hope to give them my van and me driving back home with her car and the aforementioned stupid donut. And since Tony had to work that evening what did I do? I called my dad. I know... the irony is not lost on me. Because what do we do so naturally when we're in trouble...even when we've got a major "I told you so" coming? We turn to the one who has guided and cared for us all our lives....our father.

So my nice relaxing evening did not end up remotely close to what I planned (we even got pulled over by a policeman on the way home), but I did have a nice visit and a cup of coffee with my dad (in Hope), my girls know that, even when they don't heed the advice they should have, their parents (and grandparents) will do almost anything to make them happy and I learned a valuable lesson in the wisdom and love of a father.

Now if you'd like this story from the girls' point of view go here.

Me and my Village

I am a mom.

I have thought about that sentence a lot since last Sunday. Sometimes it kind of takes me by surprise. I guess part of me feels like I'm still just the daughter.

It made me wonder too, how did I do? How have I been in my Mom job?
My girls have turned out to be strong and motivated. Beautiful and gracious. They face daily struggles and face them without complaint or blaming. I really don't think I can take much credit for this. My mom skills are sadly lacking in many areas. I strongly dislike (my mom taught me not to use the word 'hate') cooking, grocery shopping is definitely at the bottom of my "things I love to do" list and I was the worst school mom ever. I didn't join the PAC and Sports Day made me shiver. I did do some things right. I taught them manners and how to make friends. They have the best memories of our trips to Disneyland and their scrapbooks are magazine worthy. And I have prayed for them every day.

Yes, as a parent, you are the biggest influence in your child's life. But what about all those other people that God brings to them? The Sunday School teachers and Youth Pastors? The Camp Counsellors and the best friends? The generous uncles and aunts and the loving grandparents? I know they have all had a hand in moulding my girls into what they are today.

I really think that the old African proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child" has quite a bit of truth to it. So I want to say thank you to my "village". I truly couldn't have done this job without you.

But that won't stop me from having just a little proud mom moment.