Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

What a wonderful Mother's Day! Matt and the kids made breakfast and showered me with gifts before church. Then after church we had a wonderful dinner with great friends. Nancy Harvey moved into our ward about a year ago and the funny thing is that she is from West Virginia and she was in Kim and Morgan's ward up there! I have been wanting to have her over to get to know her better and so it worked out perfect that she and her son were able to make it today. And then the Lopez family came over....they made the most wonderful bowtie pasta dish, Matt made the salad and bread and then he bought my FAVORITE brownie ice cream. Mmmmm what a great dinner, and it is amazing how it tastes even better when I don't have to cook it :) Amy brought her camera so she could get pictures of little toothless Emma for me and then she took all these AWESOME shots of the rest of the kids....what would I ever do without the Lopez family!?

I don't think there is anything I cherish more then kids words on paper through a card, a note, or this time I got an essay from Luke about me! Talk about sweet! And then I got coupons from Emma. She is so funny because I had picked out the "Cook Dinner" coupon and then when I asked her to clear the table she said very seriously "Nope, sorry you picked the cook dinner coupon NOT the clean up one". Hmmmm...Happy Mother's Day to me :) In her defense she did end up helping clear the table, I will have to pick the right coupon next time.

Matt had already bought me new light fixtures for my bathroom project, but then he still got me clothes, shoes, roses, and my beloved Tervis Tumbler. If you don't know what one is, my friend John described it perfectly when he said it looks like an adult sippy cup :) So it does, but I love it because it doesn't leave water all over from the condensation, AND it keeps things cold so much longer! My kids are kind of obsessed and they each got one today and they are so proud of their Tervis Tumbler.




Now on to the most important part of the day....my MOMS.....

I am so grateful for a wonderful Mother-in-law who is so welcoming, warm, and fun. She is the sweetest lady with the biggest heart! She is so truly sincere that she will cry when she is telling you about a friend, a neighbor or loved one. She always makes me feel like I am second to none and is so fun to talk to and spend time with. I truly lucked out when I married Matt to have a Mother-in-law so wonderful! I love you Wendy!

Now about my MOM! I love her so much and can't believe how sad it is that I don't get to be with her on this special day. She is the most amazing mom....there is no one else that can listen to my rambling on and on and truly make me feel like she wants to hear more :) Everytime I am disciplining my children I have to stop and think what my mom would do or how she would handle the situation. I find I am drawing on her example in everything I do...in my Young Womens lessons I am constantly telling the girls about the great relationship she and I had when I was a teenager and I urge them to stay close and honest with their moms. I have found I am not a very affectionate person and so when my kids come crying because of an "ouchy" I have remember how my mom would sooth and comfort me and I try to hold them as she held me. I love the way she is with my kids. They each have a special relationship with her and something special to them. Gavin loves her "buzzer" kisses she gives him on his nose. Emma beams when Grandma calls her "Cupcake", and Luke stands a little taller when she compliments or helps him on the piano or when they both talk of their love for books. It was so neat to have her here when Eva was born and I'm sure she and Grandma are going to have a special relationship just as the others do. HOW in the world does my mom make everyone feel like they are loved the most?! I feel like I'M the favorite child, but so do my siblings! Hmmmm, talk about a mother with mounds of LOVE! I love you Mom and I am soooooo grateful for all the you have done and continue to do for me!