Dear Mother, All Flowers, Remind me of You.

I love this day. I love that I get to celebrate all things mother. From those that have bourn children, to those who love and nurture them.

 

I know this day is sensitive to many around me. I have been a recipient of the sensitivity to this day when it took years to get Oliver here and even more years to get Briony and Milo here. I know what it's like to feel the pain on this day, but I am so blessed to also know the beauty of it. In sacrament meeting, there was a talk given about Mothers day and I was so touched by it and the way this brother had made sure to include all the women in the congregation. He included a quote that I loved. He said "Some women give birth and raise children but never “mother” them. Others, whom I love with all my heart, “mother” all their lives but have never given birth."

 -Patricia T. Holland: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ

 

Below I have a picture of me with my mom on my birth day. Isn't my mom so beautiful. And then two of the most incredible moments of my life, The birth of my own children.

Oliver has always been such a great kid And I love that he is my first born. His gift to me was this card that he made at school with his teacher. He was right on with most of his answers.

 

 At church we got some M&M's from the Young men, temple bracelets from the Young Women (not shown) and thump print necklaces from the primary. Luke surprised me with a couple of Hasta plants that I have been wanting. It was perfect.

 

That night we stayed home and had bacon wrapped hot dogs over the fire and some of our favorite neighbors joined us and brought delicious chocolate cake. This was also so perfect and so low key. Just what I wanted.

 

I am so grateful that I was able to have children after all. It took a lot of work and faith and prayers and I am so thankful that I that I was given this role and responsibility of being their mom. 



 

"Life, every life, every heart beat began with a mom.

Who willingly accepted a divine roll, a thankless job, a sticky, sleepless, soul stretching career

for 9 months 90 months 90 years?

She taught us right from wrong, left from right, baking soda from baking powder.

She slept little and worried much.

She laughed, lathered, rinsed and repeated...and repeated

Who taught us to love God, to love others, to love ourselves?

Who prayed with us, who prayed for us, who read to us, who taught us what the words meant?

It was Mom.

Who's the champion, the cheerleader, the chief inspiring officer? Who was the queen of bedtime, dinner time, holidays, holy days, early mornings, late nights, music lessons, life lessons and everything we cling to with all our hearts?

it was

it is 

and will forever be, Mom."

 

-It was Mom: A Mothers Day Tribute to Moms. LDS.org

Funny Oliver

This kid. He is the funniest kid I know. I always am saying how Milo is the sweetest and Briony is the cutest and one day Oliver asked me what he was and so I told him that he was the funniest. He seemed to be pleased with that answer.

 

Here are just a few Oliver-isms that have happened lately.

 

-While we were all hanging out in the living room, out of nowhere Oliver says "I had Diarrhea this morning {pause} there was a pyramid of poop." 2/14/15

 

-After hearing Taylor Swifts popular song, Blank Space, on the radio Oliver asked "Mom, is it true that boys only want love?" 2/27/15

 

-One night when we were struggling to get Oliver to read he sat on his bed pouting and said "I hate my life." We had a little talk about how that hurt my feelings and how he shouldn't say things that aren't true because he's mad. He started to tear up and them told me he felt bad for saying that.

 

-My farts smell like old tomatoes 2/4/15

 

-He has a Lego calendar in his room and the picture for May shows a few Lego people playing in a rock band and another Lego guy dressed up for Cinco De Mayo. A few days after he turned the page to may he asked "Can Mexican people who like tacos be in a band?" It took me a minute to figure out why he was asking this, and then I remembered the calendar.

 

-"It was kind of terrible at school today because an army of girls was trying to kill me...but it was kind of fun." 5/12/15

 

 

All things Milo

This boy has been my busiest boy. He is the sweetest but holy smokes he is so curious.

 

He loves to climb up onto the couch all by himself. He's pretty proud of himself.

Sometimes when he's made it, he likes to relax just like this. 

 If he could have his way, he would nap with a binkie every time, but we quickly caught on and put a stop to that. He no longer has access to them.

 He loves to play. Like I mentioned, he is so curious so playing with toys is a favorite...especially toys that aren't really toys.

He loves the squirt bottle.

 He loves to explore.

 A new found favorite is playing with dirt. I don't know if these plants will survive hurricane Milo.

 

 He is mostly happy all the time

He really likes to tease Briony. I think it's his way of trying to play with her and showing her that he loves her.

 

Even though at times she may not show it.

 He is so proud of himself for standing on his own and taking his first steps. We are proud of you too, Milo.

Love you, Milo Man. You are truly amazing!

All things Briony

Briony. She is pretty great.

 

She is full of spunk and determination.

She is not scared of much and will push her limits...like trying to climb off the couch.

 She has the cutest curly hair. On the days that I actually do her hair, she usually sports a bow that she surprisingly never pulls out.

 

She loves her dad so much and when he comes home from work, she practically leaps our of my arms and into his.

 She sleeps fiercely and still does it with a wad of blanket in her mouth every time

.

She doesn't like to be bothered. Milo beats up on her quite a bit and she lets him know how she feels about it.

 

She loves looking at herself in the mirror. I think she thinks it must be her sister playing with her...that, or she is already a vain little lady. 

 

She is a sweet girl most of the time

 

And can be totally content playing with one little toy...or leaf.

 She still crosses her fingers. A gesture that I think is the sweetest.

She is my girl...

 

...and I love her so so much! 

Happy Birthday to Me

Today was the most perfect birthday I could have asked for. It all started as just a typical day. I woke up, got the kids ready for the day, went on a run, came home and did my chores, got Oliver from school, had lunch with Luke and the kids (McDonalds) and had no complaints at all. Luke and the kids showered me with gifts. They were so generous and everything they gave me I absolutely loved. Later that night, we went up to Amy's for dinner. She and Jill put on a nice dinner for me and it was so kind and thoughtful of them, not to mention delicious. Andrew gave a the most beautiful painting I could ever ask for and we watched the movie Whiplash to finish off the night. Like I said, perfect.

 

 

Throughout the day I received numerous texts, phone calls, messages, and visits all to wish me a happy birthday. I really did feel so special and loved and it couldn't have come at a better time for me.

 

 

The next night, Jill and I snuck out for a late showing of The Age of Adeline. I love going to movies and going with Jill was so much fun.

The next day Amy took me out to lunch at one of my favorite places ever. Crown Burger. It was one of the best meals I have had there in a while and of course hanging out with Amy is always a good time.


That night I went out for dessert at Nielsen's to get a custard. My good friend Cindy bought mine and I thought that was so sweet of her especially because she had already given me a great birthday gift a couple of days before.
I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and neighbors.

 And can you believe I ate the whole thing? Usually I share mine with Luke, but not this time.

Chocolate custard with cherries and almonds!

 And just to remember all the nice things people got me. I really am surrounded by so much good and love. Year 32 is going to be great!