Mother's Day...

Tonight as this Mother's Day is coming to an end, I've got to say...my family pulled it off... I feel honored :)

It all started late last night when I arrived home from working at a Highschool prom. As I walked up to my front door I noticed a little note taped to it which read... "Happy Mother's Day! Come on in and see if you can guess what your very first Mother's Day gift is." As I opened the door I saw a perfectly clean house. YIPPEE!!! It felt so good to come home at the end of a long day and see the house spotless. Thanks Guys!

This morning Dan and the kids let me sleep in until 9:00, while they whipped me up some breakfast in bed. YUM! Along with breakfast they brought in all of their gifts and surprises they had made at school, which are always my favorite, especially the papers they write where they fill in the blanks about mom. (A couple of the lines in Alaina's card read... Who generously gives hugs, loving kisses, and lots of chore. A Lover of her family, rabbits, and my DS. Who would like to see New York and a clean house.) Too Cute!

The kids took turns giving me their gifts while Hudson accidentally stepped his foot in my eggs and then ate my toast. (It gets a little crowded, even in a king size bed, with 1 mom, 5 excited kids, 5 gifts to be given, and a breakfast tray.) Here's a picture of all my Mother's day loot.

The kids spent the next few hours in the playroom planning and rehearsing a Mother's Day skit to preform for me. It turned out really cute. They went all out, with costumes, sound effects, refreshments and everything. After their play and lunch it was off to church and then home for dinner. I thought my Mother's Day was pretty much over at this point but there was more...

Lately I've been wanting to take some cute spring pictures of the kids, and what better day to request some picture taking cooperation, then on Mother's Day? Tonight after dinner all of the kids let me take a few snap shots of them, and they turned out great.

I thought it would be fun to mark this Mother's Day post with a few "then" and "now" pics of the kids. I grabbed a picture of each of them when they were around 2 yrs. old and then the pictures I was able to take today. I just can't get over how big and grown up they are getting. I know everyone says this but, it is amazing how fast time goes by. I remember bringing each one of them home from the hospital like it was yesterday.

So here's my babies... and my not so babies.

Probably my favorite part of today was right before bed when Dan called all of the family into the living room for a little Mother's Day family home evening. They all sang me a Mother's Day song, and then we played a "get to know you game" revolving around "How well does the family know MOM." Questions were asked and answered about such topics as what my favorite color was, what my dream vacation would be, where was I born, my most embarrassing moment, what sport do I like the best, which of dads features did I fall in love with when dating, and the list goes on. It was fun to see the kids guess at the answers and then to discover the correct answers on those they got wrong. Then Dan conducted a silly song to get the kids wiggles out and after settling them back down took a moment to give a really good message about how to treat and take care of a Mom. He first read this poem to the kids.

I love you, Mother,” said little John;

Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,

And he was off to the garden swing,

And left her the water and wood to bring.

“I love you, Mother,” said rosy Nell—

“I love you better than tongue can tell”;

Then she teased and pouted full half the day,

Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

“I love you, Mother,” said little Fan;

“Today I’ll help you all I can;

How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”

So she rocked the babe till it fell asleep.

Then, stepping softly, she fetched the broom,

And swept the floor and tidied the room;

Busy and happy all day was she,

Helpful and happy as a child could be.

“I love you, Mother,” again they said,

Three little children going to bed;

How do you think that Mother guessed

Which of them really loved her best?

Dan took a moment to talk about the difference in just saying I love you, and in showing love and appreciation to moms through our actions daily. I totally agreed with that message :) I feel so loved and appreciated when my kids actually do what they've been taught, when they go the extra mile, give service and are kind and loving to each other. I can't think of a better gift to give a mom.

Dan then went on to relate thoughts from a Thomas S. Monson ensign article about how Christ took one of his last breathes by uttering the words "Behold thy Mother". It was really special because when he was talking to the kids and bearing his own testimony about the importance of treating their mom with the same kind of love and respect that Christ showed his mom a couple of the kids got a little teary eyed during his message and made some very sweet comments.

It's impossible to put into words how special this evening really was. I'm hardly doing it justice. But the point is... I was really touched. I really appreciate that I have a husband who would take the time, on his own initiative to teach and train his kids to respect, love and honor their mother.

I am so blessed! I adore my children and as hard as it is to let them grow up I really do enjoy seeing them learn, grow and develop. Using the things we've taught them and going off and making choices for themselves each day. I am the luckiest wife ever to be married to "Dan the Man". Today I feel re energized and re focused on being a better mom.

Thanks for an awesome Mother's Day!