Eight years ago, on Mother’s Day, I started this blog.
I had started blogging around the time we were married, but it was private. So many things going on in the first few years. Glad I documented them all and I made a book from that blog, but it was in 2011 that I started this one and left it public.
I started it on Mother’s Day because Rob had given me a new camera, so I could start adding pictures. Well that camera has bitten the dust and I’m on my third one since then (Now I’ve got the “real” one I’ll stick with) , but I find most of my everyday photos are from my phone anyway!
At that time, I said I felt Mother’s Day is a good indicator on where things are at in your life. My perspective having celebrated Mother’s Day in a bad marriage, on my own and then happily married…. I’m happy to say that Mother’s Day is still going strong. I will admit that a good part of the reason is that I have a partner who really does value me as a person and my contribution to the family, as well. He also knows he wants to set a good example. So he does have to do some prodding and pushing, but I hope that my kids will set the example for their own kids too one day.
Mother’s Day in our home pretty much follows a tradition. It makes life far easier when there’s a tradition for everyone to follow! Rob always gets me brioche for breakfast from the bakery where we had our first date – except this year – they had given it away by accident! Uh oh. Off to jinxed start!
The boys always climb in bed with me and we all have breakfast in bed. Yep, they are 16 and 17 (and three quarters), but they climb in bed and we all have breakfast.
This was a bittersweet mother’s day because Zach leaves for his mission in August so this is IT. The last one with both boys:( I tried not to think too much about it, but the thought was always there so I found myself blinking back tears the whole day.
At church, one of the young moms had asked several kids and youth the weeks prior to stay after church and practice a mother’s day song. They sang “More than Enough” by Shawna Belt Edwards. Sooooooo beautiful. I am so grateful for that beautiful young mom for taking the time to force my boys to learn the song and then get up there and sing it. That was truly a beautiful gift for me.
This is how I felt about it….(Rob snuck these photos in, lol)
Even better is for the practice weeks, my boys didn’t complain, and they both had commented how it was a really nice song and I would really like it…. boy did I!! I secretly recorded it (I know there are some who completely frown on recording during church, but I’m not of that frame of mind!)
Tickling Zach’s back as usual in church, but sad because I know the sand in the hour glass is slowly going down…
Our other tradition is a bike ride… unfortunately the rain was coming down and it was really cold, so we had to ditch that plan. I got them to watch a girly movie with me… (wasn’t the best movie, but hey, I just like spending the time with them!)
Then they made me a cake:) Josh looks exceptionally thrilled.
We finished the day with our traditional Giorgio’s meal. So good, although for some reason, we ordered way too much this year!
My fave part was reading all the cards from my boys and my skids. The sweet notes mean so much and will carry me through this crazy year of change!
I am also so grateful for my own Mom. As you get older, I think it’s true, you appreciate your Mom so much more – especially being a Mom myself. As you go through stages, you realize how your Mom went through those same stages too and motherhood is hard! I am grateful for her example, her never-ending support and love for not only me, but my family. Love you Mom!
We finished the night off with a Raptor’s game. I think the photos tell you how the game went:
It was another lovely Mother’s Day. I’m so blessed to be a Mom and Smom to my incredible kids! Love them so much. More than they will ever know.
