My Mother's Day Message For You

Happy Mother's Day!

So it's a couple of days after the fact but the sentiments are still with me. I have been feeling really grumpy the past couple of weeks so I haven't been in the mood to update the blogsite. But I still want all the mommies to know just how special you are to me. I am able to look back through the years and really see how moms of all sorts have helped me along the way. My own mother, of course being, the biggest influence in my life. The family will tease me because I really don't remember too much about my childhood but every once in awhile something will come out of my mouth to say to my kids and a memory comes rushing back. Oh yeah, that was an important lesson my mom taught me. Thanks, Mom! My sister is another mom that shows me a lot. She is the queen of reverse psychology. I only wish I was as quick on my feet as she is. I often think Clarissa would be better off with her Aunt Kim because she always knows just what to do or say to get Clarissa to comply. And although there are many mothers through all the years that have helped me along the way I would like to extend a special thank you to a few of them. (I'm remembering them in the order of the places we have lived.)

Mary, thank you for showing me the importance of keeping organized. Even if no one respects your methods. (OH)
Maureen, thank you for showing me that big families are fun! I wish my family was doubled in size because of yours! (OH)
Jennifer, thank you for helping me know that motherhood is a joy. Watching you begin your family help to give me the mommy bug. (IL)
Abby K, thank you for being the first one to show me how I can do all my church stuff alone with the kids. (KY)
Amy, thank you for showing me how to speak softly. I'm still working on it though. (KY)
Suzanne, thank you for giving me some of the best advice I've ever received. "Keep it positive!" I'm still working on that one too, but I'm getting better at it! (HI)
Ale, thank you for showing me how easy it is to truly love all children. I know that is what inspires me as I hold my Nursery calling. (HI)
Kari, thank you for showing me that discipline is love. (HI)
Kim K, thank you for showing me that kids are naturally boisterous and enjoyable to watch that way. (NY)
Kelly, thank you for showing me that there is a process that is learned and has to begin right now. And that progress is a steady pace we make for ourselves. (NY)
Ann, thank you for showing me how much fun it is to get crazy with my kids. (NY)
Jennifer B, thank you for showing me how important it is to be flexible. (NY)
Jenny, thank you for teaching me how natural our children's annoyances really are. It makes teaching them a better way a lot easier from that point of view. (SC)

One thing I do not want to neglect mentioning as well. A special thanks goes to my mother-in-law. She works very hard to take care of her ill mother showing me just how important it is to love through the most difficult of times.

I often comment on how I always learn a valuable lesson every place we move. Perhaps we'll stop moving around so much once I am able to get it right : )

Clarissa's "Recital"

The morning of Adam's birthday, Clarissa had her dance rehearsal. I wasn't too happy about it. We had all sorts of plans made for that day that had to be changed because of it. And I wasn't real thrilled with this dance academy to begin with because they scheduled her dance recital on a Sunday. (What is it with Columbia people not resting on the Sabbath?! First Adam's team scheduling practices on Sunday and now this!) Well, I decided to not have her participate in the recital. Instead we made her rehearsal feel like the recital. She got all dressed up with her make up on. She was able to go up on stage and dance like a pretty princess and we applauded her. Orginally I was going to have us all dress up and go out to dinner and present her with flowers; the whole bit. But seeing as we had to rush to get Adam's cake and finish cleaning up the house we didn't get to do any of it. These things were mostly for me though. She never knew the difference and really enjoyed herself. Now, if I could just figure out how to upload the video from our camcorder, you could all see just how lovely she was. Help Todd!

Adam is now 9 years old!

It's hard to believe that another year has flown by so quickly. But here he is hanging out with some of his friends on his birthday. It was a baseball theme party this year. He had asked for baseball cards and received over a hundred of them. Which makes me grateful that I asked that someone at least provide a binder for him to keep them in : ) There was also lots of xbox, trampoline jumping, and super fun nerf shooters. Just what any boy would love. The girls went off to have a playdate with some girlfriends but came back in time for cake and ice cream. (That's the best part anyhow!) It was a great day! I have always referred to Adam as my unfortunate guinea pig. It is through him that I learn what does and does not make a great mom. It is for this reason that I am so glad that we can do something special like this for him. He definitely deserves it! As he continues along with family, school, music, baseball, and scouts we are so excited to watch him grow and help him reach his fullest potential. We love you Adam!