Here’s a picture of all my sweet babies (they get so mad when I call them babies, but I can’t help myself). They are the best Mother’s Day present of all.  My Mom gave me life, but my kids made me human.  I have learned patience, humility, self-sacrifice, and grace.  I have learned to laugh at myself. I have learned to appreciate the beauty of small gestures.  I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the world through the fresh eyes of my children.  Most importantly, I have learned what love truly is.

     It hasn’t always been an easy road.  There were all those long months trying to get pregnant with my first baby.  I would wait and wait for the day I could do a pregnancy test just to have my period show up. That was the longest, most tearful year of my life.  There was also a time at the opposite end of the scale, a time I was expecting my period and instead I got a positive pregnancy test (Surprise!).  I thought we were done adding to our family and the timing was less than perfect.  I was not exactly thrilled to be pregnant again.  The shock and reluctance were quickly replaced with the familiar joy and excitement I had with my other pregnancies. But then, just as quickly, that was replaced with sorrow.  I lost my little angel at 10 weeks.  Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long to be blessed with my youngest sweetheart.

     My goodness, the happy moments are too numerous to list.  Everyday I get a new favorite memory with my kids.  And that’s all I really wanted for this Mother’s Day.  Happy Mother’s Day!

My middle son is in the first grade.  They made these Mother’s Day cards in school this week.  My son was supposed to wait until Sunday for the big reveal, but couldn’t.  He made me close my eyes and hold out my hands for my special prize as soon as he got his little body through our front door Friday after school.

My son explained that I get to pick one flower per week and he has to do the chore listed on the back.

As if this card couldn’t get any sweeter, I opened it up and there’s a picture of my little guy and a poem that brings tears to my eyes.  I am truly blessed.  Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

     My oldest son in the seventh grade.  In his school, all the kids are required to take home economics, except they don’t call it home ec. anymore.  Now it’s called a new fangled, politically correct thing, which I can never remember.  Anyway, while in home ec. he made me this apron.  It is a much welcomed present for Mother’s Day.  I have needed one for a while.  It will save many outfits.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “I’m a messy cook!”.  Since my daughter is a much cuter model than I am, I had her model it for me.  Tomorrow, I’ll share a few more homemade Mother’s Day gifts.  Have a happy weekend everyone!

Things I tell my kids,

• One cookie is enough
• No more soda, it’s not good for you
• Eat ALL your vegetables
• No more (Easter, Halloween, Christmas) candy, it’s going to rot your teeth out

Things I should also be telling myself,

• One cookie is enough
• No more soda, it’s not good for you
• Eat ALL your vegetables
• No more (Easter, Halloween, Christmas) candy, it’s going to rot your teeth out

Sometimes I get little design ideas that tickle the back of my brain until I bring them to life.  Sometimes I bring them to life in my home, sometimes in someones else’s home, but most of the time they come to life over at Olioboard.  Come and join me and over 66,000 others to create your dream room, try out an idea, enter a contest (there are some pretty great prizes to be won!), or just have fun.