May 10, 21015 Mother's Day

May 10, 2015

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day dawned bright and early. I remember last year’s Mother’s Day.

Let me just say that it was not a pretty day in the Trautman household.

This year I had purposed in my heart to not build up the day and just expect nothing. I was not even going to mention it to my family but my mother had other ideas. She reprimanded my children about last year and told them that had better make this Mother’s Day better than last year. I saw the kids really make an effort this year on their own. Carl remembered and even texted me a week before asking what I wanted. I was quite impressed.

The day started out good because Carl let me and Tirzah snuggle in bed. He took all the breakfast things outside and cooked me a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns. It was delicious. I even got some of my yummy cappuccino. It was very good and an added bonus was I got to eat outside in God’s beautiful creation in KY. I received store bought and handmade cards from every member of my family. Esther even took it upon herself to make me coupon book with Sam, Daniel, and Caleb.  It was such a blessed time to spend with my family. We got to talk about the plans for the day which were quite ambitious.

We decided on this trip that we were going to try and step foot in 48 states on this trip. Carl looked it up last night and figured out how we could get in 5 states today!!!!! We started out in Kentucky and drove to Illinois. We then dropped down into Missouri and then to Arkansas. We finally ended up in Memphis, TN.

Wow! What a day but I had such a delightful time seeing all the sights along the road.

We eat a late lunch at Cracker Barrel which was not crowded at all. We went about 3:00 so it was between the lunch and dinner rush. The kids were so well behaved and I had a great dinner. I even got to enjoy the coca cola chocolate cake. It was soooooo good. We got it to go and I think the lady gave me an extra piece. I had enough for dessert and then a snack along the way to TN.

I got to spend time in the car listening to the audio version of Pollyanna. That book it life changing. It is definitely not the Disney version. I loved the whole idea of the glad game. I have been playing it ever since we finished the book. We also started the sequel of Pollyanna Grows Up. The kids have laughed so much at the book. I think the older boys enjoyed it more than they wanted to let on.

We also spent an hour listening to the book of Matthew. We are trying to listen to the Bible for an hour every day. That is easy to do when you are traveling as much as we are.

Carl had plans to stay at a state campground in Mississippi. I was able to get online and find a closer state park in TN just west of Memphis. Again I was praying the entire way that we would find the gates open and a site available. We found both and I was so thankful. The Lord has definitely provided this trip. We were able to get in and get set up before 10:30. The kids fell asleep very well, all except Tirzah. She just wanted to snuggle with Carl and me. That was okay with me for a while, until she started kicking me.  When I woke up the next morning she was facing the other end of the bed with her feet in my face. Happy Mother’s Day, right????

I know it seems like a weird Mother’s Day. Nothing really fancy. Staying at a campground and eating breakfast outside. No gifts, just cards. In the car most of the day. But you know something, it was one of the best Mother’s Days I have ever had. I got to spend uninterrupted time with the people I love most in the world. I was treated like a queen. It was a great day because I was able to build memories with my family. I was full of JOY and I still am just thinking about it. I am glad that we are on this journey. I am glad that it did not rain until after we got on the road after dinner. I am glad that the thunderstorm stayed to the west. I am glad that the campground was open. I am glad for so many things.

Listening to Pollyanna has really caused a complete attitude change in my life. I have been trying to have more joy on this journey and in my life as a whole. I have been reading about it and praying about it for a while. I just never realized how many times we are actually commanded to have joy or rejoice in the Bible. I have now entered into a search for all the rejoicing passages in the Bible. It really does change your whole perspective. Pollyanna purposed in her heart to find something to be glad about in every circumstance, even the difficult ones. She did and I have purposed to do the same in my life. Again, it is all about JOY!!!!!!

Side note – We stayed at T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis. I finished the book of Psalms today. We listened to Pollyanna and part of Pollyanna Grows Up. We also listened to Matthew 1-12. We drove through 5 states (Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee.)