Mother's Day

I have to start off by wishing all mothers and those with the heart of a mothers a Happy Mother’s Day!
Now, before I get ahead of myself let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start…). On Monday Kara and I went to the Doctor and happy news – no chicken pox!!! - just a rash that was easily cared for. With that cared for and out of the we got back to the last of our girl-only time and hit the yards to finish some weeding and planting. As always, Kara was a big help.

Brent got home from Wisconsin Tuesday night. I can easily say, Wisconsin (or at least the area he was at) is not his favorite place. At least his trip did not get extended like he thought it might up until Tuesday morning. The reunion at the airport was a joyous one full of hugs and kisses all the way around.
Brent had to go to work Wednesday, which was anything less than fun. However, he did have Thursday and Friday off work which was nice. Though we didn’t do anything big or extravagant, it was good to have him home and be together for a bit longer each day. By Saturday though, I have to admit, I was ready to snap. Not for any reason I’d initially think of, but, I was out of my routine – my housework wasn’t done like I wanted, I didn’t have all the meals ready as early each day as I wanted, and just felt overall like I wasn’t the wife/mom/homemaker I want to be.
After Brent having to deal with the brunt of my frustrated behavior, when I could finally put it into words Saturday I felt better about everything and was able to enjoy an evening we had planned with friends Saturday night. We had our first dutch oven dinner of the year – ribs and veggies – and it was YUUUUMMMMMY!!!
Onto Sunday and the glorious day that is Mother’s day. The day started off wonderfully with Brent taking the baby monitor Saturday night – giving me a night off, which was oh so great. I had to teach today and because I had prepared my lesson early on in the week I didn’t feel rushed this morning which set an appropriate tone for the day. The talks in Sacrament really seemed to speak to me – as like most mothers out there I struggle with being adequate enough – I mean, I’m doing my dream job – being a stay at home mother but I still struggle. I struggle with not being good enough most days – for staying at home – my house isn’t clean enough, I don’t have enough meals ready and waiting for my husband, I don’t spend enough time on the floor playing with my daughter, I don’t spend enough time doing service, I don’t, I don’t, I don’t… with all of that – there is a part of me every day that knows whether or not I did the best I could do that day. When that part can answer yes, usually I listen and it makes it all okay – as I set a goal for the next day to be slightly better – for me to be slightly better than the day before. So, back to the Sacrament talks – it is always refreshing to hear, I’m not alone in feeling like I do, and that was what I was able to hear. I’ve had a great afternoon after church, relaxing with Brent and Kara. Brent and Kara made dinner for me tonight, and I do have to admit, it was enjoyable to get that time to relax while they (okay, mostly Brent) did the prep work.

Brent and Kara got me wonderful Mother’s Day gifts – raspberry and blackberry bushes for my back yard and some new plants for the front planter. Along with that, I’ve heard there is an additional present on its way and I can’t wait to find out what it is.

(I know the bushes are hard to see, but they are new and still small - this time next year... mmmm berries!)

As great as the plants, dinner and surprise are – the greatest present I could ask for and got is the love of my husband and daughter. The glimmer Kara can get in her eyes when I’m spending time with her is absolutely priceless!!!