So...Jen doesn't know I'm doing this. She went to Abilene to scrapbook with some friends and I'm alone in Sidney with the kids. I realize the risk in hijacking someone's blog and the potential backlash I may receive from all of her faithful readers. However, since Mother's Day is just two days away I thought it would be appropriate to say some words about my wife, the greatest mother on the face of the planet.Here are some things I love about the way my wife loves our children. For starters, she treats them like they are people. Too often, grown-ups treat little kids as if they don't deserve to be given the full rights of human beings. Jen does not do this. When I want to use the fact that I am bigger and stronger than my children to get them to do something Jen reminds me that this sort of behavior is not consistent with the way of Jesus. Unfortunately, for me at least, my oldest daughter Emma has caught on and is more than willing to call me out when I try to bully her or anyone else around. I'm grateful for the example of my wife.
Secondly, she realizes that our task as parents is more than just making sure our kids have food on their plate, a roof over their heads, and clothes on their back. She helps our children learn patience, love, self-control, kindness to the outcast, and countless other characteristics. Words are inadequate to express the amazing way my wife is forming our children. I am grateful for the example of my wife.
I mentioned above that Jen treats our kids like human beings. She also allows them to be kids and have fun. No one is more creative than my wife. No one is more spontaneous than my wife. No one can play dress-up, sing a song, read a book, build a fort, or find as much joy in the little things of parenting as my wife. For these reasons, I am grateful for the example of my wife.
I asked my children why they love their mom and these were their responses:
Emma: Because she's nice and she's trying to get a house in Washington with a hot tub and she helps.
Aiden: Because she is my favorite mom and she lets us go to Mr. Gatti's and Chuckie Cheese and she lets us go to playgrounds, and that's it.
Isabel: Because she's my great mama...(after I asked again)...and because you're my great daddy.
Jen, if you are reading this, please know that you are the love of my life. If given another 100 times to choose, I would choose you every time. I'm sure that if our kids had a choice in who could be their mother, they would choose you as well. Happy (early) Mother's Day and know that you will always be appreciated and loved. With all that I am, I love you!
To everyone else...Do you have any great stories about Jen and how wonderful of mother she is? Would you be willing to share it? Could you help my children and me make this Mother's Day especially wonderful for Jen?
Thanks for letting me steal a moment of your time on Jen's blog,
ben
8 comments:
I've admired Jen's mothering from the very first time we ever spent with your family. Kyle and I were expecting our first and were more than a little nervous. That first night we hung out at your house watching Jen gave me so much confidence. She handled the kids with so much grace and patience and humor. She made it look easy and fun and like the greatest thing to do ever. And when y'all came this summer and visited. Again, I was pregnant and apprehensive about having 2 kids instead of one. And watching Jen take care of three, knowing she was headed back to Sidney for a week as a solo parent... she gave me hope that I could make it with 2. It's not a lie that when I've been about to lose my patience with either one of my kids I've conjured up a memory of Jen with one of her kids and tried to do the same. We love you all! Happy Mother's Day Jen!!!
I don’t know how she does it (in so many ways, I suppose) but Jen empowers your children through grace. She both gives grace and lives grace. The air around the Ries house smells of mercy and grace and much of this comes from Jen. She is the aroma of Christ and I am convinced that this aroma has empowered those kids immeasurably.
Aaron
i have many ideas of how i want to mother my new baby...and most of it has been shown to me by you jenny. youve got a servant heart and will do anyhting not just for the kiddos but for your husband. you are a gracious wife and are a wonderful example of a proverbs 31 woman...well, you would be if you selected wool and flax and made fine purple linens.
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise."
prov.31
Maybe I should leave this post up for a few weeks! :)
great idea!
i left my last post up for a month and now you all started commenting again! its great.
I wish you were my 2nd wife. I need a big harem.
then again, Tara, I'm not as boring as you...
if not blogging makes me boring then so be it. i never feel like blogging. ever. its wierd. im in a rut.
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