Mother's Day

From the moment I woke up on Sunday, my boys did everything they could to make it a special day. Connor couldn't wait to give me his Mother's Day present. This little package consisted of a card and a CD from his pre-school.

Dominic got up super early...for a teenager on the weekend...and made the family pancakes for breakfast. He even customized mine with "#1 M."

In the picture it looks kind of like "Him"...funny!

Jeff's parents joined us for church and came over afterward for brunch. So there was some cooking involved on my part, but that was the only "work" I had to do all day and I had prepared most of it on Saturday. They brought me a Dalia for the backyard and a Starbucks card! I was very excited...especially when Jeff's dad went out back and asked where I wanted him to plant it. He brought soil and everything! Now that's a gift...a new plant and I didn't have to do anything! Becki and the kids came and played for about an hour too.

Before they left we got a few pictures in...

Here's the inside of my card from Connor...

And my gift from Dominic...

My first thought was, "Oh great! Just what I need when I'm trying to lose weight!"

Then he told me how he rode his bike to the See's candy store by himself, picked out the candy, and paid for it with his own money...need I say more?!?!

Emma Kate gave me a handprint that she made in Sunday School and Jeff gave me money to go toward the new camera I'm saving for! Yeah! That means that he's agreeing for me to buy it!!!

Whoot! Whoot!

We spent the afternoon hanging out with the kids and took a walk together.

Then we headed over to Scott and Shawna's for dinner with my family. Every dinner at their house finishes with a bomb fire in the backyard. Do I love me a fire! Especially when it includes roasted marshmallows!

Shawna's 1st Mother's Day!!

I love when we get to hang out all together!

Emma Kate has a new trick where she lifts up her shirt when you say, "Where's your tummy?!?!" Then she tickles it herself and says, "Ickle, ickle, ickle."

Here she is doing it without being prompted. I know...this probably isn't a good thing for my daughter to be learning...but it sure is cute!

And finally...my Momma!

This woman is the most selfless woman I know. She will do anything for her family. She never bats an eye when I ask her to watch the grandkids...even if she's not feeling well, she is always thinking of a way to help. She is kind, loving, and funny.

She is my Number 1 Fan. No matter how insecure I feel as a mother, she is always telling me how wonderful I am.

She teaches me how to be patient, forgiving, and how to love unconditionally.

Whenever I am stressing about my messy house, I can hear the words she often tells me, "When you go to heaven, you won't be judged by how clean your house is, honey."

She is an amazing mother and grandmother.

Most of all, she gave me life and taught me to love the Lord.

I am so thankful for her and all the amazing women in my life. Days like these help me to remember how blessed I am to be a mother. Yes, it is a tiresome and often thankless job. But so often we take it for granted. Yet the Lord has blessed me with the priveledge and the challenge to raise these 3 precious souls. I pray that if nothing else, I can teach them to love, love, love! To live life to it's fullest and to know His unconditional love for them.

Happy Mother's Day!