"Happy Mudder's Day to you!"

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Haha, this years Mother's Day was so nice (but technically I did still do a little work).  ;)  We got another snow storm...not as much as last year, but we still had a couple of inches.  I guess it must be our new tradition here for Mother's Day weekend.  

The kids were cute and so excited to give me what they made at school and home.  They didn't want to wait, but I like a surprise, so I made them wait until Sunday.  Emma had me open them, and since Daddy was still asleep, she wrapped them again to have me open them so Daddy could see what I got.  Emma made a paper mache paper weight, a bracelet, card, and questionnaire about me.  Lucy made some hand print flowers with a poem and another questionnaire.  According to her, I'm Cal was so excited and hid his present, and now we can't find it, but I'm sure we will.  Dave got me a Belgian waffle iron and a pannini press, yay!  They were all so nice and sweet about it.

I got to teach Preschool the week of Mother's Day, and we did these.  I just love these questionnaires.  

Emma even felt the need to count down to Mother's Day.  I thought that was cute it's a big enough holiday for her to celebrate.

They don't only give me things just for Mother's Day though, but all of the time.  I sure love my sweet littles! Cov's tight squeezes and juicy kisses, Lucy can't pass a dandelion without picking it for me because they're my favorite color, heart-felt notes from Emma, and every thing Cal colors is usually for me...I am blessed!  Here's a little sampling of some of their sweet gestures and gifts.

I was able to reflect a lot on my calling as mother that day. I'm so grateful God has entrusted these little ones to me.  What a great honor and privilege!  It's so hard sometimes to just make it through the day, but I'm so glad I have Dave & my Heavenly Father's help.  As I was recently called to be our ward's Primary President, one of the things that really stood out to me as I was set apart, was that my calling of wife and mother always comes first and that I would get the help I needed to be able to give my family the time and attention they needed.  I was thinking of a quote that my mom put in my baby book by Neal A. Maxwell the other night as I was putting Cov to sleep.  It comes from his talk entitled "The Women of God" from 1978.  I love it all, but this is my favorite section:

"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this."

 I also was thinking a lot about my own mother, mother-in-law, Grandmas, sisters, aunts, friends, and more who have touched my life.  I'm so blessed to be surrounded by greatness!  The women who I know are so top-notch and great examples to me of what a mother should be!  I love you all!

For dinner, the kids and Dave made crepes, bacon, hash browns, eggs, and orange juice.  Emma was especially sweet and put great effort into making it so great!  And Dave of course, he's done good!  It was fun just to talk and be together.  Anytime the kids would say "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!" Cov would start singing "Happy mudder's day to you!" like the birthday song.  We did sing that for the Grandmas and we got to call them and talk over the computer, which is something we enjoy each Sunday (and more!), but it especially fun on Mother's Day.  The older kids played piano songs for Grandma Di and Cov and Lucy sang "Happy Mudder's Day to you!"  It was a great day!

Band-aids for Jesus

It was another Sunday, with another couple of restless kids.  Church during nap time can be tricky.  I was sitting out in the foyer with Lucy and Cov, as they were being too noisy in the chapel during the Sacrament.  We were sitting on an arm chair, looking at the picture of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I was re-telling Lucy (and Cov, too) the story of the Atonement and reminded her that we take the Sacrament each week to remember Jesus and what he's done for us and how we can be more like Him.

I told her how was in so much pain, he bled all over his body, how he felt everything we feel and experienced all we have or will go through.  Lucy looked solemn in thought.  "I would give Jesus lots of band-aids," she said.  How sweet is that?  But her comment really got me thinking.  I think of how many times we feel sad or sorry for what the Savior went through, but then, what do we do about it?  He said "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)  Do we help give him "band-aids" for his wounds by helping those around us?  Do we give him "band-aids" as we choose a best choice instead of a good or better?  Do we give him a "band-aid" when we shun temptation?  Do we give him a "band-aid" when we forgive and forget?  As I got thinking, there are lots of ways to help the Savior.    

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 I love the song "This is The Christ", lyrics by James E. Faust.  Here's the second verse and chorus.

I read His words, the words He prayed

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.

I feel His love, the price He paid.

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify:

This is the Christ.

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,

Who ransomed us with love divine.

"How many drops of blood were spilled for me?"  I am thankful for His marvelous gift of love.  I'm thankful I've been taught so hopefully the number of drops He spilled for me were less than what it would've been. I'm thankful for repentance that I can get back on track and He will always forgive me.  I hope and pray I can give Jesus many band-aids to help ease some of the pain He felt in the Garden.

Cal's first lost [2] teeth

Our Cal, yep he's loosing it...his teeth, that is.  :)  He has been wiggling his bottom middle teeth for about a month now.  He had us all guess how long it would take for him to loose them.  He was excited and not scared at all (unlike Em).  He wanted to do whatever it took to get them out quick.  But it took some patience.  He went in the bathroom after getting ready for bed one night and screamed into us "I lost my tooth!{.  So we helped him wash it off and get it cleaned up and put in his tooth case.  Then Emma helped him write a cute note and signs telling the Tooth Fairy where to go to find it.

The next morning, he came running to tell us all the tooth fairy found him.  He got spoiled...$4!  That's a lot more than I ever got for any teeth.  But I guess you have to take into account inflation!  :)  And that it's his first tooth. Cal was so excited, he also got a note from the Tooth Fairy that said "Cal - Wow!  What an awesome tooth!  Keep brushing!  -The Tooth Fairy  P.S. Please find some money for your tooth!"

Right after breakfast, I was cleaning up and Cal came running in from the bathroom again saying "Mom!  I lost my other tooth!"  I thought he was kidding at first, but sure enough, he lost 2 in about 12 hours.  He was pretty excited.  He thought it was even cooler that his cousin Steven lost two teeth that same week as well.  Must be related or something!  :)  He loves putting his tongue in between his teeth now and checking out his new look in the mirror.  I love his cute little lisp he has now for a while.  Unfortunately, he put his tooth in a cup to wash off, and I forgot and threw it in the dishwasher and we couldn't find it.  But he still got the moolah, so he was excited!