Mother's Day 2010

Missed not having my man here today. He was out of town this weekend, with his mom, as he surprised her and went to her graduation ceremony where she received her doctorate, that she's spent many hours working on for over the past few years. So, he got to be with his own mom on Mother's Day, which I don't know if that's occurred since we've been married. So, that was neat for him.

But I realized today that so much of what my kids have done for me on previous Mother's Days is initiated by their wonderful daddy. So, with him gone, this day really was no different than any other day. But that's what being a MOM really is!! Day to day, the same thing, enjoying every moment with your kiddos. Not necessarily was appreciated or thanked or shown special attention, but that's ok. I'm just so thankful to God for each little blessing He's given me that makes me a MOM.

I did decide to treat my kids today. And treat myself in that I didn't have to cook. So, I took them to a backyard burger place that has a playground and sport's court & field to run & play. Wasn't my choice of my favorite food, by any means, but they loved it. And I did hear "thank you's" all the way to the car as we were leaving. One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching my kids have fun & play & enjoy whatever they are doing. I got to sit and watch that this afternoon. As I held and kissed & laughed with my sweet baby girl.

I'm also caring for my younger sister w/down's syndrome this week while my parents are in California. SO glad that they get the chance to be just the TWO of them for a bit. It's mainly a ministry trip for them, but I hope they have gotten some time to themselves as well. SO grateful for a MOM who loves Jesus, loves her husband, and her children unconditionally. Words can't express my appreciation for my wonderful MOM!

So, I had my sister, Amanda, snap some pictures of the kids & I this afternoon real quick when we returned from church. Out of about 15 of them this was the only one with a few heads not cut off. Although Chan's is a little hidden still in this pic.....but it's me w/them all, and that's what matters.

They are God's gifts to me. Blessings to treasure here. Lives invested in for eternity.

The last 40 days or so.....

Since April 1st...... Here's a quick run-down and photo update of what's been going on.....besides school every DAY & remodeling work every NIGHT. (see a previous post for remodeling progress) Friday school w/Grandma, Easter party, fun at the property, soccer practices 2 nights a week, "moving" back home, strawberry picking, trip to Fredericksburg, trip to LBJ ranch, grass mowing, fun outside, Zach's first 5K race & getting 1st place in his age group, Ashlyn's 1st birthday, Saturday soccer games, Voci rehearsals & concerts for me, Hannah Kate catalog photo shoots for Tiff, tennis lesson & clinic for Zach, piano lessons, getting tired of hearing Tiff's recital song, cleaning & organizing for me, fishing trip at the coast for Seth, time @ the park, time with friends from our homeschool group, trip to Morgan's Wonderland, trip to the zoo, and I'm sure MUCH more! Oh, Seth & I did get ONE date night in during that time. And we've had a little bit of family time. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but here's a few pictures of some of this past month's activity!

And our precious Miss Happy ONE year old!

~ONE~

YEAR of our precious Ashlyn!!!!

We can't imagine life without this precious baby girl!!!!

Playing peek-a-boo with mommy & the camera on the eve before her first birthday. Seriously, this year has flown by!!!!! How can she already be ONE!?!?! God has blessed us beyond what we ever imagined in this 5th child of ours. We couldn't not have asked for an easier baby! I daily know & believe it is God's grace expressed to me!!! One of my kids says almost DAILY..... "Mommy, isn't she just the best baby in the whole wide world?" The kids couldn't love her anymore than they do. After a year they STILL "fight" over who gets to hold her, feed her, give her toys, swing her, push her in the stroller, get her up from her nap, etc.....seriously, daily, I break up an argument over who "gets" Ashlyn. This baby girl is their "star." Tomorrow Ashlyn will go with us to watch her brother Zach run a 5K, then to her #3 brother's soccer game, then her #1 & #2 brother's soccer game, then her big sister's soccer game in the afternoon. The plan is to make her a vanilla cake topped with whipped cream & strawberries which we can't wait to see her eat it. The kids have been talking about how fun it will be to watch her. She has a fan club, and her "party" will be THEM!!!! Happy Birthday, Ashlyn. We love you, and thank God for you, and look forward to the coming year watching you grow & change even more!!!! I am thinking by age 2, your siblings will stop "fighting" over you. We'll see......