Mother's Day

The Best Thing to Ever Happen To Me...

these five kids.

I'm not one of those moms who hates Mother's Day.  So far, I haven't found anything to hate about it.

1. Breakfast in bed - this year I got crepes with Nutella, fresh strawberries, and topped with whipped cream. (Thank you, Abby!)  What's not to love about that?

2. Gifts and handwritten notes from my children telling me what a great cook I am.  (I hear at least one of them complain almost every other day of the year, but on Mother's Day, I might as well be Julia Childs.)

3. Springtime.  What could be more beautiful than a Sunday in May?

4. I get to hear my children sing, "I Often Go Walking in Meadows of Clover."  I love that song and the image it paints in my mind.  I especially love the second verse, which unfortunately, they don't sing very often.

5. My kids are forced willingly pose for a picture with me - and while it's usually a process to get even one decent one, I love these pictures with my babies.  

6. Although I've never been perfect, when I look at my children I can't help but think, "that somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good."  I am amazed at the blessing I have of being a mom to these delicious children.  I love each of them so dearly and I am so grateful for them (and for their dad.)  There is no one on earth, I would rather spend time with.

How could not adore a man who unintentionally wore a tie to match my skirt on Mother's Day?

My two girls, whom I hope, someday, will get to be mothers too.

My mom and Abby (when Abby was just two-years-old.)

And of course, my own amazing mom. (She is a wife, mom, oma, school teacher, seamstress extraordinaire, lover of books, lover of righteousness, terrible joke-teller.)

  I love having a day to celebrate what she means in my life.

"Everything I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

Abraham Lincoln

Amen.

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

After church on Mother's Day, I told my kids I wanted to take a quick picture with them - a way to commemorate and celebrate what the day was all about.

I thought it was a simple request; go in the backyard, take a few quick shots and be done with it.

Somehow, it's never as easy as it sounds.

For the second Mother's Day in a row, Isaac had a meltdown because church was over and he wanted his church clothes off.

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day 2010

Peter had no interest in being part of the photo shoot, and instead preferred to ride around the yard on this:

(Yes, he's an intense child, why do you ask?)

When we finally convinced Peter to join the group, he came running over and tackled everyone in his path.

When we got all five kids together, it took everything in my power to keep Peter from running away again.

Eventually, my strength gave out and he got away...

So, despite our best efforts, we never managed to get the "perfect Mother's Day shot" - the one with all my kids looking perfect, gathered around smiling and gazing at me lovingly - but as I look at these pictures, they certainly make me laugh and they do celebrate what I love most about being a mom.

Welcome to the World Baby Girl (part 2)

Sunday, May 10, Mothers Day.

Monday, May 11,  Mother's Day

FIVE.

I'm your sister.  (at last)

Resting Sweeties

7 pounds 7 ounces (tiny for us)

18.5 inches

May 11, 2009

naming in progress