In celebration of Mother’s day, I thought I’d share some of my Motherhood Moments…starting with my own mama!
Here I am, on my mama’s hip…she used that hip a lot with four kids! Don’t you just love her sundress and box purse…so adorably vintage!
My mom always dolled herself up… at home and out on the town. She always looked good…always smelled good! She wouldn’t think of leaving the house looking disheveled! A hairdo, lipstick and perfume is a daily must for her! Here she is sporting a hair style called “The Italian Curl”. So very chic! She makes the best Mostacciolis and meatballs and sauce in the entire Universe! (Happy Mother’s Day mom, I love you!)
I discovered a funny thing a couple of years ago as I was going through some old photos….see if you can spot what I did…
Here I am at seven years old…picture day at school….with an exact replica of my mom’s big lady “Italian Curl” hairdo!!!…Hilarious! (thanks mom! LOL)
Then I became a mama! (after three years of trying to get pregnant, coupled with lots of prayer and trusting God’s Word)
A baby boy! Dusty (my wonderful son and Web Site designer!) So creative, kind, loving, strong, handsome, intelligent, honorable, compassionate, filled with perseverance and courage and loves the Lord! That’s my boy!
Baby #2 it’s a girl! Sugar and red-headed Spicy, Ashley Ann! Very artistic, fun-loving, a go-getter, courageous, compassionate, honorable, gorgeous, adventurous, spunky, wise, happy-go-lucky and loves Jesus! That’s my girl!
Baby #3 Another boy! Baby J.J. (Jason James!) Adorable, such a hoot, hard working, compassionate, strong and brave, tenderhearted, honorable, hilarious, committed, fun-loving and loves the Lord! That’s my boy!
Mama said there’d be day’s like this…
When the house seems too quiet with three rambunctious kiddos, something is up! From the left to right…Dusty (creator of this web site) J.J. (College student- Business Major) and Ashley( Hair Stylist). They were quietly expressing their creativity on their faces with markers! Nice! Ashley really had fun! It took a few days for the “artwork” to wear off!
Miss Summer Rose found mama’s lotion! Oh Honey! She was so proud of herself….slathered in moisturiser with jammies on, wearing her fancy sparkly shoes that went click-clack on the tile floor.
On another day, little Summer had a hankerin’ for pie! A whole pie at that!
My kids did not get scolded and brought to shame in these situations. They were not being disobedient (disobedience would require discipline). I had never told them they should not write on their face with semi-permanent markers, or use too much lotion and slather it in your hair and all over your face, or eat a whole pie with your hands on the sofa. Being so young of age, these were innocent childish behaviors that became teachable moments. We did talk about the proper use of markers (on paper) and that a little dab of lotion is all we really need, and then of course, a lesson on the “art of eating pie”…one slice, on a plate, with a fork, at the table, with mama’s permission. I do have to say these are some of my favorite images of my “motherhood moments”! (I have many more that I cherish and giggle at just as much!)
“Do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
-Colossians 3:21
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
More sweet Motherhood Moments….
Raising Teens and new baby girl! (Miss Summer Rose!) So joyful, creative, fun-loving, tenderhearted, helpful, responsible, kind, talented, affectionate, sparkly and loves Jesus! That’s my girl!
Prom night for Dusty! Summer thinks she’s going!
Ashley gabbing on the phone in her room (pre-cell phone days!)
Ashley’s prom night!
Lot’s of football games! Dusty was #10
A few years later J.J. played football and got to have Dusty’s #10 High School jersey!
J.J’s Prom night!
Bridal showers and weddings brought more tenderhearted Motherhood Moments…
I became a mama to two more wonderful kids! Glen (Ashley’s husband) and Kimmy (Dusty’s wife).
I am thankful to my husband Gary for being such a wonderul daddy to our children! It was his fun-loving, Christ centered, loveable influence that has kept our family strong, safe and filled with lots of laughter! I love you!
My nest is a little emptier, but my heart is full! I am so thankful I have Summer Rose at home for a few more years!!
Sisters!
I am one happy mama!
Thank you Lord for the privilege of being the mama to my four fabulous kids!
These are just a few images from 27 years of being a mama (I hope you didn’t mind my trip down memory lane!). Trust me when I say that I’ve been there, done that, got the T-shirt, when it comes to raising kids! Together we have made lots of fun memories…family vacations to Catalina Island, Lake Tahoe, Idylwild, Palm Springs, St. Louis…we’ve enjoyed our yearly traditions of watching fireworks on the 4th of July…going to the pumpkin patch in the fall and sipping hot apple cider and eating pumpkin pie when we get home, feasting on yummy thanksgiving dinners with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and Grandparents…getting gleeful as Christmas approached…picking out the perfect (or not so perfect) tree, decorating, watching Christmas movies, enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of that wonderful time of year…and of course everyday life…eating dinner around the table…praying for each other…going to church…teaching them to do their own laundry…catching fireflies on the front lawn….we’ve endured trips to the emergency room…..cheered at baseball, football, and soccer games…survived high school pool parties…prom nights….cried tears of joy at their weddings and cried more when they left the nest. Through it all I know I have made a lot of mistakes as a mother (a lot!), but thank goodness for the grace of God and his mercy, my kids are on the right path and have become such amazing adults (Summer Rose is on her way, no doubt!). That’s one of the billion wonderful things about the Lord, He can make miracles out of our messes! I am thankful for my four fabulous miracles.
One of the things that has really helped me as a mom is reading great books on homemaking. Every homemaker needs to get inspired from time to time. We want to be the best mom we can be without trying to be perfect, because that is exhausting. I have found a few books that have really helped me on my adventures in homemaking and Queen of the Castle is one of them! It’s full of tips, advice, recipes and all kinds of memory making ideas to get all of us motivated to be a blessing to our families! This is one book I highly recommend! Check out my Blue Ribbon Review on this great book!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Sugar Pie Mamas!
Hugs y’all!
Ruthann (Aunt Ruthie)
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward.”
Psalm 127:3
Ruth Ann,
What a beautiful and wonderful family you have. They are truly blessed to have you as their momma and we are blessed to have you as our sweet blog friend. Happy Mothers Day! Thank you for sharing the sweet memories and fun pictures. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Happy Mother’s Day Ruthann. Your memories are precious and the life your children lead now is such a testament to your wonderful role as a mom yourself. How blessed you are! Enjoy your day tomorrow.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thanks for sharing your journey, loved the pics!
Hi Ruthann,
I so enjoyed the trip down memory lane with you, you have a beautiful family, I always enjoy my visits here, It always stirs up such wonderful memories of time with our family. I would like to wish you a very blessed and Happy Mother’s Day.
Blessings,
Sue
Dear Ruthann,
Loved our little peek into your journey in Motherhood…thank you so much…
Blessings for a beautiful Mother’s Day,
Susie
You have a wonderful family and are very blessed.Time sure flys doen’t it! God bless and happy Mothers Day!!
Sharon
Love the post, thank you for inviting us into your family, Happy Mothers Day Aunt Ruthie!
Hi There, I’ve never commented before, but your last post brought tears to my eyes.
I’m a young mother just starting out on this journey, and have two wonderful little children aged 3 and 1 1/2. They have been known to drive their mommy up the wall at times, but they are the sweetest, most affectionate children I have met in a long time (ok, I’m biased, I’m mom, lol).
For mother’s day today, I got nothing. My husband had to work, and I assisted my mother making the breakfast. No special treatment, I was up with the alarm at 6am, hustling children out of bed (and my rather sleepy husband!!), getting everyone ready to go to grandmas. I then cooked, washed dishes afterwards, and upon returning home, did washing and cleaning for the rest of the day. I was feeling alittle hard done by (can I not have one day off?), when my daughter came up to me (the three year old), gave me a hug and said “Wuv you mommy” out of the blue. My younger son joined in the hug, and holding them both, suddenly the tiredness, the crankiness, the lack of anything resembling a day off didn’t matter anymore. Those two little angels made my day and more so just with that little unexpected hug and kiss.
Reading your post reminds me I still have a long way to go, and if I’m lucky I’ll have happy snaps as great as yours. You are a true inspiration to young mommies out there of what a great mother looks like.
Thank you, from a devoted fan in Australia!
Cassie
I LOVE this post – Its one of my favorites.
What a great family you have. What wonderful memories you have made for your children. You give me so much inspiration for my own family.
Blessings & hugs to you
Vanessa
Thank you for such a nice Mother’s Day post! What fun traveling through those memories – thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your story! What a beautiful family!
Loved this post, thank you for sharing your family with us.
Nothing makes a mother happier than to see their children in tune with the Savior.
katie
What wonderful photos and loving memories. Thank you for sharing this with me today and Happy Mother’s day to you. God bless!
Joyce
I just posted a pic of my mom from 1960 and she had those same “Italian” curls on her forehead! I wondered what that hairdo was called!!!
Beautiful post.
Happy Mother’s Day Auntie Ruth! What a nice surprise today to see a post from you! Loved it as usual. You have such a wonderful way to tell your story. What a beautiful family you are from, and are now blessed with. My mom died when I was 14 years old and I miss her terribly. The Lord blessed with me with my son (11) and he is my TREASURE from heaven! As I write this, he is working with my hubby to make a card and fix breakfast. Isn’t that the sweetest? I pray that you have a wonderful Mother’s day and drink in all the many blessings this day brings.
Happy Mother’s Day !
Dear Ruth Ann,
Your family is adorable:) Of course their Mama is beautiful too:)
Thank You so much for this lovely post and Happy Mother’s Day:)
Hugs,
Carol
I LOVE all the photos, your such an inspiration! Thanks for such words of wisdom on this mothers day, I treasure my children so much and feel so blessed to be a mother, I also feel blessed to have found your website and enjoy all you have to share. Thank you, and happy Mothers Day to you!!
RuthAnn you have a beautiful family and just by looking at your pictures you and your hubby did a wonderful job raising them. I love going down your memory lane with you the pictures were lovely, I feel so blessed to be the mother of my four wonderful children. I really enjoy and look forward to more post from you , in your post you stated you enjoy reading homemaking books to help keep you inspired well I love reading your blog, why because not only is your blog inspiration al it is also informationally and lovely. Stop by to visit me sometimes.. How a happy mother’s day your sister in christ. DeNiece
Ruthann, Thanks for sharing your family with us. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Ruthann,
What a precious pictorial of times past! It brought tears to me this Mother’s Day, as I shared so many of those moments with you & the kids! I miss you guys soooo much back here in Californie….. LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU THIS MOTHER’S DAY, YOU ARE SO BLESSED!
LOVE TO ALL,
SUEY
Happy Mamma’s Day to you too!!!
Hugs and Love,
Just A Gal…
Miss Ruthie! I just loved this latest post. I just wanted to say that reading through it makes me just want to go home and pull out my own albums and reminisce. I find it so funny, we have three children and their ages are spread out as well. Our oldest daughter was 13 when we had our son and my middle child was 9. I am currently going through teenagehood and toddlerhood at the same time! Not to mention my 11 year old’s preteenism! Whewww what a ride! I love it and feel so very blessed as well. You are so very inspiring and commited and real….I wish you were my neighbor!!! I just wanted to say Happy Mothers Day to you!
I loved your stand alone blog and love your website. Your son did a marvelous job. Thank you for inspiring your readers so much- especially young, Christian wives like me! You very ‘Americana’ approach to homemaking is a very lovely complement to the “Mi casa es tu casa” outlook I grew up with.
Anabell from Latin America
Happy Mother’s Day to you! You have a lovely family.
Thank you for taking us down your Memory Lane! It really brought a tear to my eye… if I asked God for one thing in life, it would be that: my man and my children, and many beautiful years spent with them.
HI sweetie!
What a gorgeous post as always!! I just adore seeing all those years of pictures, what incredible memories you’ve created and you are so adorable when you talk about those precious children!! The Lord has blessed you for sure! Speaking of blessings, I hope you have the most wonderful Mother’s Day today hun! You deserve it !!! Thanks so much for always being such a dear friend and for giving us women a fabulous outlet in your forum, you and Dusty have done such beautiful work with it, and I know everyone is so appreciative!!
Happy Mother’s Day darling!!
Lots -a -love and Hugs, Cyn xox
RuthAnn~
Did you and your husband take the “Growing Kids God’s Way” course? A lot of things you mention about parenting I learned in those classes. Both parents are supposed to take the course together. We took it at our church about 12 years ago when our kids were little. It sure helped me be a better Mama over the years!
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful memories!
Blessings~LillySue
Your family is adorable! But your mom…wow, she’s just gorgeous! Must be the Italian in her, LOL!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!! May it be a day filled with reminders of how special you are!
What wonderful memories, filled with “teachable moments”!
I loved the pictures of your Mom too.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Happy Mother’s Day Ruthie! You have been blessed with a beautiful family! Love the Mother/Daighter hair-do! What a hoot and especially you just realized it! Hugs, Maryjane
What a beautiful family you have and what a wonderful legacy you have given your children.
I think the first time I held my oldest son in my arms, I truly understood the magitude of God’s love, I held my little son and was so overwhelm by God’s love for me, that he would let me be mother to such a perfect little child. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. Fourteen years later, I still thank God for my wonderful sons!
♥Happy Mother’s Day♥
Thank you for the great post today. You always build me up and inspire me to do the best for my home and family. It’s so wonderful to read the many comments and how everyone feels the same about you. You definitely are doing great work for the Lord.
Love ya ta pieces!
Happy Mother’s Day
You look just like your mom! I enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Have a fabulous day!
What a beautiful trip down memory lane. It made me think of my own two, sweet boys and all my wonderful adventures I’ve had with them. Thanks for taking us along on your memory trip. God bless you – Julie
What a beautiful family and what wonderful memories! Happy Mother’s day!
Dear Aunt Ruthie,
Thank you so much for sharing your “memory lane” with all of us! It was absolutely inspiring, as well as, fun to see and read about your lovely family. I could certainly relate to a lot of the things that you said. Such as, not trying to make everything perfect, the family vacations, dinner around the table, the Christmas season, 4th of July celebrations, children doing their own laundry and chores, and more!
I love this blog! Happy Mother’s Day.
Hsiu-Li (Shoe-Lee)
Your family is beautiful and you can see the happiness in their faces. Love your blog! Madeline
Hey girl you are one rockin’ mama! You are amazing thanks for sharing all the pictures!!!
Love you and your blog thanks for sharing your life with all of us you are a blessing! Have a great mother’s day!
I love you Mom, Happy Mothers day!
Great blog!
hi ruthann i love your kitchen. it looks like i have the same counter stove range as you. please tell me how you keep the iron grates clean. my stove inside is spotless but i am not happy about the wayy the top looks. help me.
Happy Mother’s Day!! I thought of you today while my mother, sister-in-law and I walked around old town Temecula and did some great antique shopping. (we went to the Farmers Wife ) and just love it!! Thanks for all your great tips. :)
Hi Aunt Ruthie,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us. What a difference a dedicated, loving, nurturing mom makes in a household and with the loving support of her husband a wonderful family that does make. Blessings to all of you…
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful photos of your family. I’m somewhere near Ashley’s age I’m guessing and I can relate to all the photos of the times. Your pictures really depict how much you really adore motherhood! I hope I can be a good mom someday :-)
Such gorgeous photos from a lifetime of memories. The mischievous shots remind me of when I found my 15 month year old girl (now 11) sitting at the open door of the pantry, she had found a box of ice cream cones and bitten the bottom off every single cone in the box, it was one of those moments when I raced to grab my camera rather than the dustpan and brush!
Reading through the comments I was very touched by Cassie’s comment. There is a poem I wrote for Mother’s Day on my latest post at http://www.eightacresofeden.com. It is called ‘Her Hour of Need’ and it is about a young mum who is having a day not unlike the one Cassie describes. If you read this Cassie please visit my blog and get in touch. I’m in Australia too and my blog is all about delighting in family. I’m a mum of 6, ages 16 down to 3 (twins!) and part of the reason I decided to start a blog was to be able to reach out to mums like Cassie.
So lovely to read that blogs such as yours Ruthie are inspiring the young mums, as well as those of us who are further along on this wonderful journey of motherhood.
Hi Ruthann! I’m never far away and always visit even when I don’t leave a comment. (I had no idea that you’d miss me, but I’m touched by that.) Your site is beautiful and there are so many directions to go in. I always enjoy seeing what you’re doing, watching the videos, and listening to that wonderful playlist.
Loved this post with all the photos. Now I clearly see all the family resemblances. Such a beautiful family!
Take care now, and don’t hesitate to round me up if I go AWOL again.
That was so fun to read! It brought tears to my eyes , remembering how quickly those times we have with our children are gone…. before they leave our homes and branch out on their own. We have such happy memories to…and boy do I miss rocking my babies.
My oldest child is Finishing up her last year of college. My middle one is heading to Quantico Va. for Officer Canidate School and my youngest baby is DRIVING! Now, I look to a new season in my life and wait anticipating being a Grand-mama!
happy mothers day to you!!! I love reading your posts!!
27 years!? Wow! When I look at you in those pictures you can’t tell there are so many years between the first and last…. you look amazing!
Must be something inherited from your momma ;)
Greetings from the netherlands!
Ruthann,
I really enjoyed this delightful post. Thank you for sharing all the precious photos of your mother and your children. Children truly are a gift from the Lord. My twins just graduated, but with four more following (including a 3 year old), I know that it will be a long time before my nest is completely empty. But your advice is so true…we need to make memories and enjoy ’em while we have ’em! LOL It seems as if I blinked and my girls are eighteen! Where did those years go??!!
BTW, Queen of the Castle is one of my favorites too. I keep it by my bed for a little motivation plus a few giggles! Great stuff!
You are such an inspiration, and it’s truly a blessing to get a peek into your sweet family life. You are a wonderful mother and example of a godly woman! Thank you for encouraging us to keep our hearts in the right place and make family/home a priority!
Hugs,
Amy O.
I’m not sure who the oldest looks like, but the three youngest look exactly like you, they just have Gary’s coloring. I love it when you share things about your family.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family memories. I have been blessed to have 2 adorable sons and wonderful memories as well. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be a mother, it’s the greatest job on earth!!
very touching and inspiring post! you have such a beautiful family :) and those pictures of your children are so cute and adorable, I will commit to creating more memorable moments with my family and make sure I get them on camera :) thanx for sharing.
What beautiful photos, such happiness is to be seen, thanks for sharing with us as usual your very much and loved family
This is precious Ruth Ann, I love it, love the pictures of your beautiful family! I had a wonderful Mother’s Day, and I feel so blessed! Have a wonderful week!
Debbie
Aunt Ruthie, you are amazing! Not only do you have the sweetest, most encouraging blog around, but you have got to be the sweetest, most encouraging blogger around, too. Thank you so much for featuring my book, Queen of the Castle, here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kind words of endorsement. In the homemaking blog world, you are like Oprah :)
And your new site? Gorgeous. You and your son make a terrific team.
I think there must be a television time slot out there with your name on it.
Hi there!!!
Do you remember your mother’s scent? My mom passed away 37 years ago, I was only 4 years old, my sisters 3, 1 and 10 months; I still remember her scent, her voice and her hair-do. What an impact mother’s make in our lives even for a short time. Thank you for your sweet memories of your mother and your own…..I myself have a 22 year old son, 17 year old daughter and a 14 year old son…they are the most precious gift from my Heavenly Father, including my hubby.
Be blessed……love your blog.
You are so very blessed! what a wonderful family you have. I had tears in my eyes as I read your family stories. God is good.
Brenda
Oh Ruthann! That Christmas pic of sweet Ashley with the little carriage looks like it came straight out of a Sears Wish Book! Thank you for always sharing your precious pictures, memories and inspiration! Many blessings to you and yours!!
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your love for those four beautiful pieces of you Ruthann :)
Oh and thank you for the tip on the chalk ink markers ;)
rue
I always enjoy your blog so much and this one especially. You look so much like your beautiful Mom. Thank you for all that you put into your blog so we can enjoy…. a true feast for the eyes and soul!
God bless ♥
BB from Ga.
Talk about a good looking, gorgeous family!!!!!
What a beutiful post, both on your mother – My lovely aunt had the same hairdo, only blond – and on your family. Full of fond memories and still going strong. I like visiting your blog and I shall put you on my favorite blogs. Thank you for the mail newsletter.
Be well
Godeliva van Ariadone
Ruth Ann
Altho its past Mother’s Day by the time I read this, I hope you had an absolutely wonderful day…I’m sure you did. You enjoy every moment of your life. Thank you again for this inspiriting and wonderful site.
I just jumped over from Rue’s Blog. I wanted to say Hi and nice blog.
Carolyn
Wow! I just found your blog, beautiful!! Ruthann, I will be back!!
Have a super weekend.
God bless
~hugs~
You are beautiful inside and out and I love how you shine so much of the Lords LOVE!
I don’t know if you remember me… Brandi in Orange Country, I emailed you a few times last year regarding some very personal problems that I am going through…. Anyway, I was wondering if you could visit my blog, I am desperate need of sister support and prayer….
Thank you for you and all you do.. and I LOVE and ADORE your new site!
God bless you always!
http://ohcali.blogspot.com/
PS I was also wondering if you have a “button”…. I would love to add it to my blog for others to see and click to find you.
Just found your blog and I love it. My kinda gal, I say!
Country Cookin’,Family,Vintage,and Farm Can’t get better than that!
Have a great weekend!
Just beautiful!
Beautiful Blog,
Glad I happened by, will be back often,
Inspiring, beautiful family.
Enjoy the Memorial Weekend!
Nerina
Ruthie,
Your forum has a topic on it that you don’t want on there this morning. I don’t know an email for you I hope you get this quickly.
This is my first time viewing your website..LOVE every part of it….
would love to know where you are getting your old fashioned pictures from on your blog.
I love the women chatting, the hubby and wife, the momma serving her family supper etc etc etc
xo
Reading this post in 2011 and your children are still loving the Lord – that’s the BEST part of this particular blog entry – you give God ALL the credit.
Thank you God for the mercy you’ve given me!
Happy Mother’s Day to ALL – and remember, if your mama is already in heaven – that means she’s living an Eternal life. The Bible says …And I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER!
Hope that means as much to some others as it did to me.
Happy Mother’s Day Ruthie! Your post summed it up pretty well; the special times in our lives are special but so is the day to day; sometimes the everyday things are the things we miss most when they leave the nest. Blessings to you and your family.
Cheryl
from Canada
Happy Mother’s Day! I too am a mother of 4……3 boys ages 10, 7 & 5..and a 7 mo. old baby girl! I couldn’t think of anything better the Lord could have given me…he gave me just what I needed….a big, happy, healthy family! Happy Mother’s Day to me! :)
Dear Ruthann;
I LOVE your blogs!! Happy Mother’s Day!! What a lovely family…. and adorable little Summer Rose!! God has blessed you abundantly!
I just have to tell you.. I have a new little Preemie grand daughter…Caitlin Rose. she is 5 weeks and growin like a weed!!
My other sweet grandaughter Chloe is 3 and is she ever a hoot!!
Well,
off to work, thanks for your decorating ideas too!! love them.
You’re right – every homemaker needs to be inspired now and then! Thank you for being one who’s inspired me tonight; I relish the stories of those who’ve been-there-done-that — they give me hope that I’m just at the beginning and still have so much time to make all those wonderful memories if I can just manage to laugh a little more and stress a little less. Thank you for blessing me!!!!! <3 :)
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