Happy Mother's Day

Just think of this as a shout out post to all the amazing mothers in my life...

To my Grandma S.- who is an angel on earth.  She is love and selflessness all wrapped up in a warm smile.  I have never met a more Christ like person and strive every day to be more like her.

To my Grandma Dee- who taught me to come what may and love it.  Who taught me that laughter fixes more problems than tears and who taught me to let go of the things you cannot change and embrace life's simple pleasures like old John Wayne movies and a cold coca-cola.  Man... how I miss that lady.

To Becca: who taught me to whole-heartedly embrace life, nature and most importantly- family. Nothing beats a good ol' family camping trip.

To Paula: who has often dropped everything to help me out in a pinch and who has taught me that it's okay to say yes every once in awhile to sleeping in blanket forts in the living room and gummy bears on pancakes.

To my sisters (in-law):  who are on this crazy roller-coaster of mothering young kids with me.  I can always look to them for advice, help or a strong example.

And to my mom:  who has always been there for me and yet has gone grossly under appreciated at times.

I'm so lucky to have so many strong women in my corner.  I'm a better mother because of them.  I'm a better person because of them.

Happy Mother's Day.

A Good Day

Today was a good day. 

I woke up to Emma's face just inches from mine serenading me with songs about love and spring time and asking me if I was ready to open my mother's day present yet. It was just after 6:00 am.

Dave pampered me with a breakfast of strawberry nutella crepes, my absolute favorite.

Ali, throughout the day, randomly held my face in her chubby little hands and wished me a "happy mudders day" in her breathy little whisper.

Canyon belched in the middle of the relief society lesson and had everyone in fits of giggles.  Oh, how they love him.

We went on a scenic family drive up to Smith and Morehouse, shared a couple of chocolate donuts and watched a moose for awhile.

Bedtime consisted of nuzzling my sweet baby boy close and playing with his soft little curls and then climbing into bed with my girls to read story after story after story.  The girls joined in as I sang them their lullaby tonight. They have the sweetest little voices.

As I was leaving the girls' room tonight Emma asked me if this was the best mothers day ever.  I believe it was. 

I'm thankful for this gift called motherhood.

Celebrating Motherhood

Me and the monkeys on top of Angels landing. Look at how little they were!

"Beauty and motherhood are one, they are the same thing." Good old Nie, she nailed that one right on the head. Yes, even though I had to scoop Ali's poop off the front lawn twice this week (a story for another time) I agree with her whole-heartedly...beauty and motherhood are one. It's amazing what can happen when you open up and give your heart so completely to someone else. I'm so thankful to be a mother. I'm always amazed at how much motherhood has and continues to change me...for the better. I love my monkeys, oh so much, and I have to agree with Nie when she said that motherhood is a privilege. Somedays, I forget that.

If you haven't already seen it, check out this amazing video, it just happens to be where I got all my quotes from.

Oh and Happy Mother's day to all you mamas out there, especially to my own mom and grandma. Being a mother myself has made me see them and the many sacrifices they have and continue to make in a whole new light. Love you guys!

Mother's Day

This was the very first Mother's day since I met Dave, that I haven't been camping. We did our Spring Moab trip a few weeks early this year. I have to say, as much as I LOVE camping I did enjoy spending Mother's day at home this year. Dave and the wee ones made me a big ol' waffle breakfast before church. It was fantastic. After church we headed up the canyon with my fam. for a fabulous dutch oven dinner.

We had steak, chicken, potatoes, baked beans, salads and of course cobbler. It was a feast! My Dad is quite the outdoor chef!

The best part about it was how many people showed up, it turned into quite the gathering. My grandma, cousins, parents, siblings...it was awesome. There was visiting...games...

more visiting...playing...

and of course...

a lot of eating.

Now, for some quick shoutouts

First of all, to my wonderful mother who is ALWAYS surrounded by grandkids (thus Emma's head in the pic). I love you mom, thanks for always being so fun, loving and understanding.

Second, a shoutout to my sweet Grandma who is one of the most caring, selfless people I know. I strive to be like you.

And last but certainly not least, to Dave and my monkeys..

for making me into the mother that I am.

Quickly, before I go, I have to share one last story. Saturday night Dave got home from work and insisted, yes INSISTED I open my mother's day present early. He was giddy with excitement. It was adorable. I have no qualms about opening gifts early and went ahead and opened my present. By opened, I mean shut my eyes while Dave laid it out, he was much to excited to waste time on wrapping it. There, before my eyes, was the most beautiful biking outfit ever! Now that it's warming up I've been wearing Dave's old biking shorts and jerseys he had from highschool. I was giddy to have something so new and girly. We went for a ride that very night so I could break it in.

Thanks babe, ya did good!