I love celebrating Mother's Day, but there was a time when this holiday also brought heartache - I longed to be a mom. And then there was the Mother's Day right after we lost our tiny baby-to-be that was pretty brutal. My heart hurts for those feeling pain this Mother's Day and I pray that God will bring you comfort like only He can. Never give up!
Today {and really, everyday!} I'm thankful for these two littles that call me mama and for the adventures they bring to my life. They are my greatest blessings and I can't thank God enough for them.
And then there's this amazing woman that I have the privilege to call my mom! God gave me a gem in her. She is my rock. I love you, Noonie!
Lance and Papa J treated us to a day of antiques shopping fun by keeping the littles and cooking up a feast! Noonie and I had a great time finding treasures!
Meanwhile, the men prepared this yummy feast, including bacon and cheese appetizers, shrimp & corn bisque, parmesan asparagus, chicken and sausage pasta, and delicious cupcakes for dessert! THANK YOU Lance & Papa J!! And just to be clear - the serious diet starts THIS WEEK!
Noonie wanted a SCALE of all things for Mother's Day...WHAAAT??! So we got her the scale, but I couldn't let this special day pass without also putting together a little basket of sweet things that reminded me of her.
The littles surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that they not only picked out, but actually paid for with money from their piggy banks!! I was definitely feeling the love! Thank you Grace & Hudson!!
Sunday morning they surprised me with French Toast topped with blueberries - yum! Their smiles and excited looks were the best gift ever!
This little guy. That sweet simile. That tiny fingerprint heart. That belly sticking out. This is the stuff that Mother's Day is all about!
And bathroom cleaning coupons??! Doesn't get any better than this!
What a beautiful gift it is to see ourselves through the eyes of our children! I'm so thankful to all the sweet teachers who make these priceless Mother's Day booklets and questionnaires possible!
They are my heart. Pure and simple.
We even went to late church which was a gift in itself because I didn't have to be running around like crazy trying to get everyone out the door on time!
All dressed up and ready to go!
This pic makes my heart swell and swell! I'm so thankful that the littles have two amazing grandmothers that love them so much!
We showed up to church and Surprise!... Noonie was matching us!! We declared pictures absolutely necessary...much to the men and littles' delight - ha!
My mom was both mom and dad to me growing up. She didn't have the support of a husband to help in childrearing, but she never let that affect me in any way. She gave 200%. Every day. Without ever speaking a negative word about my father. Ever. Takes a special kind of person to do that!
I'm so thankful that God brought Papa J into my mom's life {and mine too, of course!} when I was in my late teens. Seeing the way he loves her makes me love him even more. Thank you for bringing a special kind of joy into our lives, Papa J!
Our little family. I think Hudson must be practicing for First Communion...two years early! he he he
It was a wonderful weekend, but I'd be lying if I said we didn't miss my grandma something fierce! She taught our family how to love. I can only imagine how beautiful her Mother's Day must have been in heaven. I can see her radiant smile and her twinkling eyes the way they were anytime something made her laugh. Love you, Tata!
My sweet mother-in-law was out of town so we didn't get to see her this weekend, but we can't wait to give her our present and a big hug this week! Happy Mother's Day, Mimi!
Happy Mother's Day to all of you who mother littles ones, regardless of your official title! YOU are a blessing!
It was such a beautiful day! Thank you for all the sweet prayers and kind comments!
I thought I had been able to fix my camera and I was so excited, but after just 3 pictures it stopped working again - boo! I did manage to capture this one just as we were entering our church...
Proud mama fighting back tears of joy!
My heart!
Our beautiful baby girl...you looked radiant! Most importantly, you have a beautiful heart!
{love our church's stained glass windows too!}
Attempt at a quick family pic...some of us were not that into it. he he he
Our pew marker...thank you Ava's grandma for adding our children's names to these! Such a sweet keepsake!
LOVED seeing our pews filled with so many loved ones! What a special gift to Grace!
{Mama Wanda, Haguit & Shabella - she was SO happy to see you, even if you had to leave before I could snap a pic! Love you all!}
Twin smirks from my boys!
Pictures are not really allowed during Mass and I understand why, but that is such a tough thing when it's a special milestone like First Communion! Our Assistant Director of Religious Education did take some of all the children and I can't wait to see them! Hopefully she has a good one of Grace receiving Communion for the very first time.
Grace, along with three other children, was selected to bring up the Communion gifts - such a special honor - I tried to take a very quick, unobtrusive snapshot, but she was on the other side so it was hard to see her.
Ditto for when they sang their Communion song after receiving Communion for the first time. They sounded like little angels!
Love this sweet moment I captured right after Mass!
Proud parents!
With one of her PSR teachers...thank you, Mrs. Connie! Teaching the 2nd Grade Communion Class is no small job - we are so thankful for sweet teachers!!
With Noonie and Papa J!
Mimi!
Aunt Marilyn!
Pop!
Aunt Segi & Uncle James!
Aunt Lexi!
Sweet girls! And check out Hudson...he was verrrry into the cookies and lemonade - ha!
Aubrey & Grace...such sweetness!
Sweet Grace - what a special day!
My grandma would have loved this one...
After Mass, we went to eat at a local Italian restaurant and we shared the party room with Nicholas' sweet family...Congrats, Nicholas!
"Best Day Ever"...indeed it was!
In keeping with my tradition of writing little love notes to Grace and Hudson on vintage cards, I ordered the tiny vintage Communion card on etsy. It was supposed to have been unused, but when it came in (all the way from France!) it had writing on the back...from 1950! What a fun thing to find! She loved it!
Grace loved passing out the petit fours - her special request! Some had tiny pink crosses and others had her monogram.
Such a special day for the little pumpkin - we are so proud of you, Grace!
And because I love all things Kentucky Derby...we couldn't let derby day go by without having a little fun!
Making their predictions...
And even though "Weeee" (Hudson's horse) nor "Spark" (Grace's horse) won, these little vintage cards were soooo fun and so addictive!
One of these days I'm going to make it to the actual Derby! *wink*
