Mother's Day

The transition to this day was quite some time ago for me, I mean from me celebrating my mom to being celebrated as a mom. Being a mom has made me appreciate all the little things my mom has done for me over the years. It really is the little things that I remember and I am in hopes my kids will have as fond of memories as I do. You can't ever fully express what it feels or means to be a mother until you are one. The emotions within you change, your heart is touched in ways you never thought possible. It is amazing that all within a single day that I can be brought to tears and yet bust up laughing because of a 1, 4, 6 or 8 year old. I have never felt so drained and rewarded at the same time. I have never loved so unconditionally, never given of my self so endlessly and wanted those little hugs and kisses as much. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love being a mom, love hearing "Momma", okay most of the time :) It has to be the most challenging, rewarding and underpaid job in the world.

Mother's Day itself was really nice. I don't think I will ever grow tired of the sweet hand made cards and gifts from the kids. They are so proud to give them to me. Hope even told me exactly how she was going to give hers to me..."I'm going to wake up and bring it to you and set it on your covers and then say SURPRISE! and you can open your eyes and see my hand prints :) It was so cute because we told them not to tell what it was and they had to wait until Mother's Day to give it to me. They were excited to wait and equally excited to have me open their hand made tokens of affirmation. It is during those moments that I think I could never be done having kids...Don't worry, reality hits shortly after, that 5 kids are enough to keep any mom crazy, I mean busy :)

There was nothing spectacular about the day, but none the less it was very enjoyable and just what I needed. We all slept in, I mean really slept in, I think it was 9 before we all got up, even Grady slept that late. (We had been out til 11 the night before, so everyone was tired) I can't even remember the last time we all slept in like that, if ever.

We headed to Soup Plantation for brunch (it was my choice and James hates that place), but he was nice to appease me on my day. Every place we drove past the lines were out the door and the parking lots over flowing, so we braced ourselves for a long wait, but to our surprise there was neither a horrible line or a full parking lot. I think we got there just before church let out because after we sat down the line was out the door.
We all had yummy food and left with very full tummies! Thanks for enduring me honey :)

James got me a swing for Mother's Day, so after we ate we went to Lowes to pick it up. James and I put it together while the kids played and then I laid on it for a bit. The kids all took turns sitting with me as we rocked back and forth in the shade. My folks stopped by for a bit and my mom & I swang for a bit too. It was such a nice day. I am so looking forward to sitting in it to watch the kids swing, swim or jump and maybe even after the kids have gone to bed with just Jamesy...I can always wish right?

Unfortunately we didn't get a pic of all the kids with me, but 1/2 of them is good, right?

We enjoyed the Laker game, even though they lost, had a yummy dinner, watched AFV and were all in bed by 8:30 :)

I hope your day was equally as enjoyable and you felt honored & celebrated on this special day. Happy Mother's Day to all those Momma's out there!