Mother's day was a really nice day yesterday. It was even nicer that Todd didn't have meetings and was able to help with so much of the morning run around. I seemed to be working more yesterday morning to make sure that the sisters I visit teach had a bag of cookies for me to give them for Mother's Day and that the boys that I teach were able to give their moms a bag of cookies.
It all worked out since I had Todd home tending to the kids wants.
I heard Emily telling Aunt Nancy on the phone yesterday morning, "Mom, doesn't even eat breakfast." I had to laugh. I'm sure Nancy asked if they made me breakfast. I never eat cereal or Todd's fried eggs/hash brown breakfasts and so according to Emily I don't even eat breakfast.
I had a great fruit smoothie breakfast with toast. That is more my style. :D
Here are my pictures from Mother's Day. You can see how I remembered the picture of me with the kids once they were ready to be in bed. Oh well, does it really matter? No! Casey was so excited to give me his gift. It is the towel with his handprints on it as flowers. I love it! I want one with all of the kids hands on it as a flower. Cute idea from school. Mitch made me a salt design that is really pretty. Later in the day he asked, "Mom, what does salt have to do with anything for Mother's Day?" To be honest, I was wondering myself. He liked Casey's gift better than his salt design. Emily planted me a little flower at school on Thursday and so did Ellie in nursery. Very cute and I love it all. Todd gave me the flowers and a very nice card. His comment was I got you one of "your" cards. I'm a little more sappy and he is very humorous when it comes to card giving. I know he meant what it said. Thanks!! I picked the menu for dinner and it was New Mexico style enchiladas that I was raised on. I have had them since I can remember. My mom and Grandma and I'm sure many before them have made them forever. They are good every time. It's a taste I never get tired of. I'm not sure it was such a success with the kids but they picked through it and loved the egg on top. I made a fresh pot of pinto beans that cooked literally all day long. It was very tasty. The dinner could have been a bit more restful but Ellie seemed to be over tired and not wanting to sit with anyone other than me and moving all over my lap. I ate in a rush but it was good!
While I was making my bedtime rounds and laying in each child's bed, Casey was getting the coupon book he made me so that I could redeem one hug and one kiss when I got to his bed. It was very cute. I gave him a kiss on his cheek and he said, Mom, on the lips." So sorry Casey! He loves that I lay down in his bed with him. He thanked me in his Mother's Day card for telling him jokes in bed at night. He said I was special because I give him treats before bed, say good bye to him before school, and always hug him. That makes me feel so good. I am glad that he notices the good things that I do with him. Once the kids went to bed, Todd rubbed my back and neck while I sat there in our quiet house and it was just what the doctor ordered to end the nice day.




This is why I love being a mom to these 4 children. Aren't they just so cute? :D Of course, I think so!!!




It has been so fun watching each child grow and develop into their own person. It is definitely trying at times but so worth every hard time. There are more fun times and cute little things that I notice than hard times thus far. :D I can only hope and pray that my children will continue to have a love for their Savior and an understanding of the gospel as we teach them the principles. Oh boy do I ever understand what my mom meant when she would say she just wants to see all of her children happy. That is such an important thing to a mother/parents. I want them to have a love for the gospel and to serve others. I want them to enjoy the blessings that I enjoy every day for choosing the right. I love my children and really find joy in trying to teach them what is right. It is so great when you hear your child talking about what you taught him/her a few days ago with a sibling. My heart cheers for them. I want my children to understand the scriptures as best as they are capable of understanding at their young ages. Kids surprise me at how much they really know or are capable of. We have really enjoyed the Book of Mormon for LDS families. It helps the kids to know the big words and has a glossary of other words in the back. It is highly recommended for every Latter Day Saint family. What am I saying?? It's for me too! I love all of the explaining it does.
Here are some random pictures of the kids in the last couple of weeks. We were up at the Stanford Mall a couple of weeks ago and the flowers are just beautiful. The kids enjoyed ice cream and running around. It's an outdoor mall for those who didn't know.




I have so much appreciation for my own mother now that I am one myself. I appreciate everything that was done in my behalf. Thanks mom for helping me to be the mom that I am today. I try hard with my own kids and I hope they will grow up and thank me because it is hard work all across the board to be a mom. I love being a mom and playing that role. I hope I can show my children that more with a better attitude. I can't call myself a failure in something until I completely stop trying. IT is the best to hear your kids talking with another sibling about something we have tried to teach them. With prayer, I know that any mom can make it through this life. If we realize and understand that our hard times and challenges are to make us stronger than it makes it a lot easier to manage the rough spots. I hope every mother understands her divine worth and role here on this earth and in the eternities. I have been reading many books about this subject and just finished the book called Motherhood. (Thanks Mom!!) Brigham Young is so black and white....I love it! He's right and the truth hurts sometimes. I am truly grateful for the gospel in my life. I am blessed to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thanks Mom for living the gospel in our home. Thanks for taking me to church every Sunday. All of your hard work was all worth it....as a mother I can appreciate it now.:D
I hope every mother had a wonderful day yesterday!