Mother's Day 2013

I love being a Mom.

I always wanted to be a Mom and it's one of my greatest joys in life.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to mother these sweet children whom I was entrusted with.  Each of them challenges me & blesses me in a different way.  I love each of them uniquely & completely.  God gave me the perfect kids.  They aren't perfect.  But they're perfect for me.  I often just look at them and say a prayer of thanks for them.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ .

Our Mother's Day this year was very low key.

 

Dan was away with Matthew for a K2 Live retreat.  I took Andrew and Kaitlin and we went to Richland to do Mom's community garage sale. 

The kids did a lemonade stand and also spent time with Grammie/Grandpa.  So it worked great.  We had Dan's mom & Dad over in the evening for dinner & S'More's and to celebrate mother's day with them.



Winnie always has lots of pretty, potted colorful plantings so we bought her a plant in a colorful pot (that Kaitlin picked out).



 

First S'Mores of the season! The kids loooove to do this.

 

 

They had baths and then went back out to sit by the fire again.

 

Kaitlin and Andrew wanted to sleep on the floor together.  When I went  in to check on them they were so cute.  Love how Andrew is clutching his bunny, Henry.

On Mother's Day morning, Andrew and Kaitlin brought us muffins in bed on napkins.  It was precious.

We gave Nana her cards & a gift....

 



Which was a little flower charm for her bracelet.  Because Nana likes jewelry.  And flowers.  And Nana doesn't really need anything, and so we gave her a bracelet that we could buy charms for a while back so that we'd have gift ideas for her!  We're crafty like that.  She loved it, so it works out great.



Mom surprised me with a Vera Bradley tote and wallet that I loved.

We snapped a couple of quick pictures and then we headed out for breakfast before leaving town.



 

We headed home.  Dan prepared a nice dinner for me, and we just had a quiet day at home.  I think one of the sweetest moments was when I went to read to Matthew on my bed that evening.  He was laying with his head on me while I was reading and I noticed his breathing had changed...he had fallen asleep.

 

Dan walked by as I was sitting and just watching Matthew's sweet face.  I asked him to take a photo.  It was hard to wake him and take him to bed (Dan actually picked him up and carried him)...it isn't often that this happens anymore and it was just a sweet way to end the day.

Mother's Day Cards

Andrew's card means so much to me because we've worked so hard on his writing and he's doing so well!

I actually thought it was Matthew's card when I first saw it!

His "d" is my favorite.  :)

This is a picture of me and Andrew playing cars together.  Love it.

Matthew made this book for me at school.  It has partial sentences that the children completed and then drew illustrations.  Here's how it read, with some (but not all) of the corresponding photos.

"My mother looks prettiest when....she's getting ready to go out to eat."

"What I love best about my mother is...She plays war with me.  

My mom always wins.  (Well some times)."

"When I am at school, my mom...

goes to small group {bible study} and shopping."

"Something I like to do with my mom is...play Mario Kart wii with my mom.  I like it.  It is fun."

And here's the one that had me laughing so hard.

Look at this photo!!

I asked for "a couple hours to myself" for mother's day.

And the above is Matthew's interpretation.

Dan, Matthew and I all laughed so hard.  :)

"My favorite food that my mom makes is...Cake and angel food cake.  I like it because it is good."

I loved the picture he drew.  I'm downstairs decorating a cake (he even drew my piping bag) and he and Andrew are playing in the play room upstairs.

And another card that Matthew made....

Treasured gifts.

And a road map on how to make my boys happy.

:)

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I was awoken by the children and Dan with breakfast in bed. The kids were SO excited about the cards that they made for me, they couldn't even wait for me to get my glasses on before they were trying to have me see and read them.



This is my very favorite part of Mother's Day. Breakfast in bed ~ be it ever so simple ~ and homemade cards. I haven't photographed the cards yet, but they did not disappoint, and Matthew made a little book about me at school that was both sweet, and hilarious. But I will photograph it and post it soon. (It is a really, really busy week and so I'm just trying to do little bits when I have time to stay caught up.)



Aren't we a glamorous lot?  Please note again, Andrew's mix & match jammies.  Dan and I love his night time fashions.  :)  My gift was a new patio set, (which we have yet to have an opportunity to use due to the weather) but Dan did surprise me with a sleep mask which I was REALLY excited about.  I am a light sleeper and we have a half circle window in our room that lets in the morning sun, so I am up with it every day no matter when I go to bed (leaving me pretty tired this time of year), so we were hoping this might help.  I couldn't help but to laugh to myself last night with my sleep mask on and my night guard in that Dan must roll over at night and look at me and think about how all his wildest dreams came true. (Ha!)  Or perhaps, cry out in terror.  :)

We attended church and then had lunch at Lapellah, where Katie requested to use the bathroom no less than FOUR times.  She has taken to trying out public restrooms, really just declaring that she needs to go and then once she makes it into the stall decides perhaps not.  And it must be the GIRL bathroom.  And the thing is, you don't know if she really has to go, so we have to take her!

We all came home and had naps (heaven!) and then I went off for a pedicure where I got to read a book!  And the best part was that while I relaxed, Dan took the kids and did my grocery shopping!  THAT was a great gift.  Then back home for dinner, and I spent time cleaning out Katie's closet.  It was quite simply, a perfect day.  Dan tried really hard to minimize my responsibilities and give me an opportunity to have some free time, but feel appreciated as well. 

I asked for a photo with each of my 3 little loves, who made me a Mom and who I love and adore more than they could ever know.



First, my Matthew who is growing into a boy of such integrity...he tries so hard to do the "right" thing.  He is my kindred spirit in so many ways and I understand him without him having to say much at all.  My Dad lives on through him in many ways as well, which is a precious gift.




My precious Andrew, who has the heart of a cream puff, so tender and sweet, yet so boyish at the same time.  Andrew loves with his whole being and has had a self-less heart since toddlerhood.  He would give any of his possessions away in a heartbeat if it would make someone happy.  He already prioritizes other people before "things" & even himself, which is quite remarkable for a child.



My little bugaboo, (who was being pouty for the moment) has a personality that sparkles.  She is cheerful and social.  She loves people, and always wants others to be happy.  She has a kind little heart and a temperament sent straight from God. 

I remember being pregnant with each of these little miracles and as I felt them grow I would wonder who they were...I never could have imagined that I would be blessed with such amazing kids.  I know they aren't perfect, and I can see their challenges and weaknesses as clearly as I see their strengths & charms, but they are perfect for me.

I love them to the depths of my being, and I am so grateful to be their mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!

We have two really wonderful Moms in our life and we are so grateful for both of them! 

They are always there when we need a hand

and our kids could not ask for more loving and doting Grandmothers.

They are so lucky (and so are we)!

We love you so much!!

I am also grateful for the Moms that I am surrounded by in my daily life.  I know so many wonderful, inspiring Mothers who parent with intention and are raising fantastic kids.  I am grateful for the inspiration they provide and the commiseration and wisdom as well.

And finally, I'm just so grateful to be a mom.  It's really what I've always wanted to do & be.  I'm living my dream.  Truly.  I am amazed when I look at my kids because I feel like God just designed them perfectly for me.  Even down to their challenges.  Some of them feel so specific to challenge me in areas that I know I need to grow...it's just amazing. 

This journey of motherhood can be so challenging.  So many days I feel inadequate in knowledge and execution.  It's just plain hard.  Some days I'm met with a situation and just pray for wisdom because I really have no idea what the right path or answer is...I'm just figuring this out as I go. 

But I wouldn't change it for a second.  I treasure each day with my little ones.  I love being a Mom.  As I think of next year with Andrew starting Kindergarten and Katie starting pre-school I know my time with them at home is coming to an end.  I really feel like I want to just minimize outside activities, etc. so that I can spend my time with them.  I know I will never have this time back and I want to savor it.  I don't want to regret being too busy and feeling like we didn't have enough time just together.  I am not a Mom who can't wait for their kids to go to school.  I love being home with my kids.  And they do too.  That's not to say, I'm not ready for a break come evening time.  I definitely enjoy my quiet time when they are in bed.  And we definitely have days when no one is "feeling the love."  (When I'm declared to be the "baddest Mommy in the world.") :)  But it doesn't last long.

I was reflecting this evening about when I became a Mom.  When Matthew was born...and how overwhelmed, stressed and neurotic I was.  I'm grateful to be able to relax more and enjoy parenting.  Not that I have it figured out, but I'm not as stressed.

So today, I pray for those who have lost a Mom, long to hold a baby in their arms, or are otherwise quietly hurting on this day.  And I give thanks for our wonderful Moms, my Mommy friends that inspire me, and the 3 little loves that gave me the title, "Mama."  

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

Mother's Day Do-Over

I am really behind in things that I wanted to put on our family blog and I'm working on a special birthday post for Matthew for tomorrow. There are so many party photos that I have to sort through and I'm in the middle of such a busy week, that I thought I'd just get this little post done and off the list and work on the party post when I have more time.

So, the top photo was taken on Mother's Day. Which ended up being one of "those" days. It wasn't a great day. Being the great guy that Dan is, he had a "Kathy Z-- Appreciation Day" the following Sunday to try to make up for the lousy day that we had (which we now are able to laugh about). This is why Dan and I have a great marriage--when one of us messes up (as we both do) after the feelings have been sorted out we just laugh and move on.

He got up early and brought me a latte and scone from Starbucks. A heavenly way to wake up. We went to church and had brunch at Beach's afterward. Here we are outside the restaurant.

When I walked inside there was the chalkboard above the Hostess area. See the second line down?

And here are me and Matthew. We had a table by the window overlooking the Columbia River. It was nice. And notice how I'm sitting next to only one child? The most independent one? All part of the plan. :)

Here are a couple of the sweet home made gifts I received. Dan used to buy a card to give me from each of the children. I told him that while that was thoughtful, the kids' words and artwork mean so much more to me than what a professional artist and wordsmith comes up with. These are personal and I love them so much.

Matthew made this bookmark. The other side says "MOM."

He was pleased to see it holding my place in a book I'm reading right now.

(This is a great book. I'm picky when it comes to writings on religion/faith but this author is one that I really respect.)

And I love this sweet picture.

Dan took the kids to 'Dozer Day (post to come--he took some great photos!) in the afternoon while I had some time at home to do as I pleased in a quiet house. I thought about relaxing, but knowing it was the week before Matthew's party I chose instead to scoot about the house fishing laundry and chores that needed to be done. I did things liked collected all of the single socks from all the bedrooms and paired them up (am I the only one with this problem?) And as I was working guess what was stuck in my mind? The words to Dr. Seusses "Hop On Pop."

Seriously.

But it was so nice to be uninterrupted, own my own thoughts for a while (once I got Dr. Seuss out of my head) and I was able to get some things done that allowed me to feel more organized. Which makes me happy.

Then we had our last church marriage class/dinner together that night. It was a great day, and I'm so appreciative that Dan tried so hard to make a nice day for me. Being a wife and a mother is truly what I love to do. I am grateful every day for my husband and for our children. I feel deeply blessed.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a great day today. It included breakfast in bed with sweet cards from Dan and the kids. Dan did so well with the cards this year.

Matthew made this sweet drawing of us....(I love the hearts).

And I love this card that Dan chose and had the boys participate with. It has questions for the children:

The card had places to fill in:

"Ways you make me smile:"

Matthew: "When she does something nice for me like helping me."

Andrew: "when you hold my hand on the stairs."

"Having you for a mom makes me feel...."

M: "Happy and safe." (The best answer ever and the thing I strive to do every day).
A: "Good."

"Things you do best"

M: "Play with me; especially toy story stuff."
A: "Makes me treats like ice cream."

"If I could give you anything, it would be...

M: "A present like a picture set something that lets you print pictures and put them in a book." (I thought this was so cute--I think he's thinking about how I make scrapbooks for them and he knows I like pictures...I'm amazed at how thoughtful he can be sometimes.)
A: "A pirate ship!!" (But of course!) :)

"Three things I really love about you"

Matthew:" When she makes things that I want her to; when she spends time with me; when she makes special treats like cupcakes and cookies."
Andrew: "You hold me and cuddle; when she plays with me; makes me feel better when I am sad."

I think that was my favorite card ever. I told Dan that he didn't ever need to buy a card for them again. Just sitting down and writing their thoughts and perceptions is so much better than anything he could find in a store.

Then we went to church, stopped to take some pictures. The kids were happy to watch the ducks and the waterfall. It provided a great distraction so I could take some photos of them, and Dan did a great job taking some photos too.

Matthew, the thinker....

And then we headed off for brunch.

Kaitlin got a little fussy at brunch and a great waitress (not even ours!) brought a bowl of fruit loops--what a life saver! She and Matthew happily fed each other and had a great time.

Andrew had a rough morning (which is why there aren't a lot of photos of him). He was tired and really fussy. But that's the life of a Mom! :) I still had a nice day--I think one of the hardest and most important skills of being a mom is choosing your own attitude and not letting a fussy/tired child rub off on you. Isn't that hard sometimes? But I've been a Mom long enough (and have encountered this situation enough) that I'm getting pretty good at making my own lemonade so to speak. I think sometimes we just have to choose to be happy and it makes all the difference.

We all came home and everyone had a nap (including Mommy and Daddy) which was heaven, and then here's the best part of my day....

I had been sleeping on the sofa and as each child woke up from their nap they came and piled on top of me. It was great.

We sat and watched a movie together. And then Dan went and got pizza for dinner.

We had a great Mother's Day and I hope all of you did too!!