I had this beautiful idea of what Mother’s Day was going to look like this year….warm weather, wearing a super cute outfit, being able to get ready (alone), tulips in bloom, the whole “it’s all about Mommy’s day” sheebang. And somehow I have always thought of Proverbs 31:28 when Mother’s Day rolls around , “…her children will rise up and call her blessed…” Well, Nora rose up all right…rose up and barfed all over me for most of the day. I don’t know if I was thinking that Nora was ACTUALLY going to get up, then fall to her knees in worship of me or that she would magically start singing how wonderful of a Mommy I was (this sentence is being written in total sarcasm, FYI)…. Whatever I had imagined in my head, it didn’t happen.
After the day was said and done, all I could do was look back and laugh about it; right after I cried while watching my poor child throw up most of the day through her miserable tears of sicky junk. But in all honesty, this day really did have a whole new and very sincere meaning for me. And since I associate Proverbs 31 with this special day, I also look at that chapter very differently than I used to. So here are my new thoughts on The Wife of Noble Character:

10. A wife of noble character, who fan find? She is worth far more than rubies.
So does this mean I get paid in rubies??
11. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
I am so glad that Eric trusts me enough to stay home and raise this little child.
12.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
I pray that I create a GOOD environment for Eric to come home to at the end of the day.
13. She selects wool and flax and works eager with her hands. 
It may not be wool and flax, but I can make a mean banana bread and change a diaper in 10 seconds flat.
14. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from a far.
I feel like a merchant MOO ship every time I pump – yes, I am STILL doing that.
15. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.
In my own attempt to save our family money, I cook almost every meal we eat. I never knew how much time and energy went into cooking that much – I also didn’t know how rewarding it would be either.
16. She considers a field and buys it: out of her earnings she plants a vinyard.
I don’t know about ONE field, but in the near future we are going to be buying many fields. I am already taking time to pray that our land and Eric’s work of that field blesses our family and will bear much fruit (or corn and soybean, in our case).

 17. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 
Vigorously doesn’t even begin to describe it…when your child only takes 2 thirty minute naps a day, you MUST work vigorously at certain chores. And I must say, I have found that my arms are indeed becoming stronger from carrying around Miss Chunky Pants.
18. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp doesn’t go out at night.
I may not have a lamp, but my baby monitor is certainly on at all times of the night and I now wake up at the smallest wimper.
19. In her hands she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
I don’t do any type of knitting or crocheting anymore, but the mountains of laundry that I do remind me of of just how lucky I am to have to two people that I wash them for. And folding baby socks is adorable. And the smell of Dreft is intoxicating.
20. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Now that I am at home, I have a schedule that allows me to make meals or bake goodies for others who need it. I pray that God will be able to use me to minister to others in this way.
21. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
 Ok, so it’s more like, “My child wears pink and animal print everyday.” So what??

22. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Every Monday is sheet day in our house. I love sleeping on fresh sheets! And after wearing purple almost everyday for 3 years while working on 2North at the hospital, I do whatever I can to NOT wear purple. I now prefer black (yes, because it is slimming).
23. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Eric might not be an elder at our church, but I respect him more than any man I have ever met. I respect him even more now that we have a child together. He works so hard to ensure that I can stay home with Nora. I can never thank him enough for that.

24. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchant ships with sashes.
Again, I don’t make any of our clothes or sew, but if you’ve ever seen (or smelled) Eric’s work clothes…my respect from you will automatically be earned.
25. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
If there is anything I have learned from becoming a mom, it’s that sometimes you just have to laugh at life. It’s a whole lot better than dwelling on the bad stuff.
26. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
One of the greatest gifts I can give my daughter as she grows is wisdom – specifically Biblical wisdom. I can only pray that God will use me to raise our kids in a God centered home that points to Him.
27. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Because of the Fly Lady I am the Queen of my Home, the Master and Commander of the Chores, and the Great Keeper of the Cheerios. I “Fly” on a daily basis and it has saved my sanity.
28.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her in the streets:
Nora may have barfed on me Sunday, but she and Eric also went out before I woke up and got me a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks and the sweetest Mother’s Day card…it was a Mickey and Minnie Mouse card – my husband totally knows the direct way to my heart….Disney and caffiene.
29. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Eric tells me he loves and appreciates me everyday – I always know that I am loved. I am so blessed.
30. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I am the first to say that I love getting dressed up, getting my hair done, painting my nails, all that girly stuff. But now that I have a very little child, time for those things is limited. Long hot showers and shaving my legs is a delicacy now a days. But I have learned that limiting my time everyday with the Lord – that just can’t be cut short…even if I haven’t showered yet.
31. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
I pray that I can bring glory to God by striving to become the wife and mom He created me to be.