Mama Mia!

I celebrated my 7th Mother's Day last weekend, counting back from when I was 6 months pregnant with Jonathon. 7th! How can that be? Each Mother's Day has been so special to me, it's one of my favorite days, not just because my boys spoil me, but because it's a day of thank-you's! Motherhood is the hardest, yet noblest job in the whole world and it feels nice to be recognized with a national holiday :)

 The weekend before Jake took me out to eat at Bella Pasta for dinner, Italian is my favorite, and surprised me with a gift certificate to a day spa and a summer shopping spree. I like!

I had a fun Mother's Day, waking up to blueberry pancakes in bed, with the L-O-V-E Nat King Cole song playing Jake put on his laptop while I ate breakfast in peace. I love that song, it ties in perfectly to the way I feel about my boys. L, is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is very very extraordinary, E is even more than anyone that you adore can. After breakfast Jonathon brought me the gift he made me at school (Popsicle stick picture frame and photo of him) with the card below. I adore this. His little handwriting and painting of me, pink shoes and all! Jake got me, my mom and my grandma flowers that were so gorgeous and fragrant.



My dad came over before church and surprised me with an orchid corsage to wear, like he always has done for my mom. It was so beautiful and sweet. After opening my cards we went to church and there I got a break from teaching Sunday school in primary and got to hear a wonderful lesson by a good friend with all the women, where we all received beautiful potted flowers, which I planted in my backyard with my others :)

Sunday dinner was the best! My dad and Jake went Costco shopping together and got my mom and my favorite menu items. Filet Mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, cheesecake....! Need I say more? My dad cooked for everyone, as usual, and my Grandma Helen (Dad's mama) and Aunt Christina (Dad's sis) joined us. It was a great evening chatting outside by the pool, enjoying the beautiful warm weather.

I am so grateful to be a mother. Motherhood has many challenges, this I know well, and we all have different challenges. Some of us struggle having children, some of us lose children, some of us have special needs children, and some of us have horrible pregnancies and a have hard times nursing and the list goes on! I look back on my last 6 years of parenting Jonathon, all of the struggles with Ryan, and the 2 1/2 years of parenting Caleb too and it's all a whirlwind of happiness, joy, laughter, crying, pain, sorrow and triumph. It was a bitter sweet day. I feel so loved, extra specially on Mother's Day, but in the back of my mind and in my heart there's a little pain, a little nudge, that I recognize. Missing Ryan. Wishing I could have my other boy with me to bring me breakfast in bed and sing me songs and give me kisses.

I'm grateful for my own Mom, Mama Mia! I think of that quote from President Lincoln, "All that I am and ever hope to be I owe to my angel Mother." That is so true! The picture of center piece on the table we got for my mom. It reminds me of her, it sparkles, reflects light, beautiful, strong, fun, elegant, and unique. She's the best grandma, teacher, mom and friend I could ever ask for.

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends, I look up to you all.