It's National Pie Day

So today is National Pie Day! I'm curious why one would choose to have a national pie day in January. Seems to me it would be a better fit for June or July or even September, but I guess any day is a good day for pie. Flaky crust with delicious fillings. Strawberry pie, blueberry pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, cherry pie, coconut cream pie, chocolate silk pie, sugar cream pie, pecan pie...man is there even such a thing a bad pie? Even pot pie is delicious.

Well seeing how my blog is called Sugar Pie Blessings, I thought it only fitting to celebrate National Pie Day! And out of all the sugar pies out there, I do believe I have the sweetest...little man and baby girl. The best sugar pies that have ever crossed my path! Two perfectly scrumptious, wholesome, sweet to the core little people. I make a point to savor each and every moment I can with them, just like a slice of sugar cream pie.

And if you have never had an actual sugar cream pie, you are missing out on a little slice of heaven. It's my absolute favorite and an old fashioned Midwest favorite too. It's actual the state pie of Indiana. Smart Hoosiers! It's made from simple ingredients - cream, butter, sugar, flour, vanilla and nutmeg. Maybe one day I'll attempt to make my own, but until then I'll leave it to the professionals and savor each delightful bite.

Personal Theme Song?

So someone told me this week that this song makes them think of me every time they hear it. Something about my cheerleader ways and cheerfulness in the morning. Something she has always teased me about, in her not morning person kind of tone. Hmmm...didn't know I had a theme song, but I like it. I think she's on to something. Great song and yes totally me. I think we should all have a theme song, don't you? Something that speaks to your soul, makes you dance around the room, throw your head back and laugh and say to yourself, "It's a Good Morning!".

Nurture the Sacred Within

Tonight was the first evening of a M.O.M.S group at my church. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. My only other experience was a moms group at my previous parish, and I only made it to a few meetings due to it being during the day and I work full time. I was thrilled when I saw the opportunity come up for this group in the evenings at our new church.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this first night. I hadn't realized, but it's been some time since I took time to nurture the sacred within myself. I was definitely due. I've always felt it's a blessing to be a mother, and I take great awe in the gift that God has given me in our children. I know am truly blessed. But sometimes I think motherhood can be overwhelming too and can get the best of us and our good intentions. We need to take time out to be quiet in the Lord, time to strengthen our spirits and refresh our souls, time to open our hearts and let the Lord speak to us and guide our daily steps and our very motherhood.

I'm glad I took a time-out tonight and journeyed to the M.O.M.S group this evening. It lifted my spirit and reminded me that motherhood in its self is a ministry. I'm called to minister to my husband and my sweet sugar pies in all I do each and every day, no matter if it's doing the dishes, laundry or putting a band-aid on some one's knee. I'm called to do it all in His name and with love.

There's a picture that I adore. It's called the Polish Madonna. It always reminds me that no matter how hard things are, how tired I get or how thankless a chore may seem...Mary was there before me. She did laundry just like me, she potty trained Jesus just like I potty trained my little ones, she wiped His little mouth, she snuggled Jesus in her arms before bed and so much more. She walked this very path I walk as I mother my children. What a beautiful role model Jesus has given us through her.

So dear friends take care to always nurture the sacred within. It only betters the woman within as she works on her own holiness and her own ministry of motherhood.

Grandma's Hands

I came across a story today by Amy Julia Becker called Arms Like My Grandmother that touched my heart. I think mostly because I can recall numerous times my little man having similar comments of my mother's hands. He is always so intrigued by her wrinkly hands and arms. He takes them in his own hands and turns them from one side to the other looking them over and then he always says to her in a concerned little voice, "Grandma, what is wrong with your arms?" Her responses is always the same. She throws her head back and laughs with a twinkle in her eye and tells him that Grandma is just getting old and it happens to the best of us. He usually then throws his arms around her and says, "Grandma I love you."

I keep meaning to take a photo of their hands one over the other, so I can tell him that story when he is grown some day. I really need to do that soon.

I think it is so easy to let one's self get consumed with what the world says beauty should be...but to me there is something special in growing old and loving the woman you've become over the years, even with the wrinkles, extra pounds and gray hair. Something simple and beautiful about embracing yourself as you are and just letting the love inside shine through to the world. I think it may just be called being authentic, kind of like The Velveteen Rabbit.

Bedtime Stories

One of my favorite things is when little man and baby girl crawl up in my lap for a story before bed. It never gets old for me. Never. I adore it. We turn off the TV and get the house all quite so all can enjoy the story to the fullest. Tonight we read a book called "This Little Prayer of Mine" by Anthony DeStefano. It's one of their favorite picks, and we read it almost every night. Little man and baby girl think the brother and sister in the story are themselves. Well, I guess since I add their names as I read, it helps create the magic a bit... Baby girl points to each page and squeals in delight, "It's me."

Grandma started the tradition of giving them a book at Christmas a couple of years ago and I love that she does that. It's a wonderful Christmas tradition. My sugar pies have received two stories by this particular author, and I can't say enough about how wonderful his books are. Perfect reads for helping children understand God and start to build their own little relationship with him through prayer. How special that my own little one's have grown to love this book and pick it often. I know its message is sinking in for them too, because as we read each page, they comment on things in their own lives that fit the pages and how God helps them through their trials. It fills my heart with joy to see their own little prayer lives forming. What blessings they both are to myself and my husband. I thank God each and every day for sending them to us. They are both beautiful little souls, and I know He has great plans for both of them.

The Beauty of Gratitude

As the crisp January air is all around, I'm cozy inside my sweet little yellow house with the white wrap-around porch. The very one that I happened to whisper to God about in a prayer, saying it was the house of my dreams. And there it was...in a town I never imaged I would live in. And here I am inside its cheerful walls, with a cup of hot tea in my hand and soulful inspiring music playing in the background. My heart is ever so happy. He truly does know the desires of our hearts and in His time, if they are meant for us and His plan for us, He brings them to us or us to them. They may not be exactly as one dreamed, but they will be what you need and perfect per His plan.

He amazes me all the time. In the big and little. In the people in my life. In my husband and children. In beauty of nature. In music. In His Word. It all reminds me there is so much more to be grateful for in this life, than things to worry and fret about. So many blessings and so many reasons to shout to the Lord with joy. Even though we all have trials, hardships and even a bad day now and again, deep down there is so much more good, beauty and wonder out there. I recently stumbled upon a blog and author, Ann Voskamp, that I have come to quite adore. I love her simplicity. I think I might just take her dare... I just ordered the book. It's on the way from Amazon. Can't wait to blog about my ponderings as I read. Here's to One Thousand Gifts in 2012.

It Happens In a Blink...

Where did 2011 go? It seems it passed me by even quicker than years past. We had a lot of big things happen in 2011, possibly why it flew by with such speed… My oldest sugar pie started Kindergarten and my youngest turned two. I started a freelance side career, and my husband went back to full-time work. We changed parishes. The first of my nieces got married, and my very much missed sister finally came home to us all.It was a year of much joy and blessings and a few tears too. It was a year to work on my own holiness, surrendering to His will and being the humble servant He calls each of us to be. A year of journaling and finding treasures in scripture.

Like the freshness of new fallen snow, a brand new year sits before me. What shall I do with its gifts and promise? I think I shall treasure the lessons from this previous year, hold on the progress I’ve made and fix my gaze on the path ahead… For there is much work to be done, children to nurture, a husband to encourage and lift up, sisters to laugh with, friends to share stories with and memories to create.

Hello 2012 – may you be a year of abundant blessings, love and laughter.