Mother's Day 2018

Mom- a name I hear a million times a day, a name I don't take for granted, no name I'd rather be called!

These boys have my heart!

Fun photo opportunities at church

My boys treated me to lunch at BJ's Tory Burch sandals I've been wanting forever, and then we swam and hung out. Each of my boys wrote me a letter. So sweet!

What a privilege to be their mom! I pray God guides me and uses me to shape and mold them for His kingdom. 

Mother's Day

Love my boys!!

Lincoln:) 

Jackson

I'm so blessed to be called mom by these two. I know I mess up daily, but am thankful for God's love and forgiveness. I pray these boys see and experience His love through me!

Such a fun day with my boys! They made me feel extra special and spoiled me with my favorite things!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity God has given me to raise these boys. It is not easy, but what a blessing it is!

Mother's Day 2016

So blessed to be called Mommy by these boys!

Love!

My Jackson

My Lincoln

My boys love me well!

Loved my handwritten notes from all 3 of them. 

 They spoiled me well!

Great day spent with my boys!

 They even cooked me dinner!

What a great day! I'm a lucky lady!

Nature Preserve

On Mother's Day I wanted to do something together that would be fun and different. We heard of a Nature Preserve that was pretty close to our house, so we thought we would give it a try. 

After church, we came home to change and then picked up Firehouse Subs to take out to the park.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch before going down the trails. 

We hiked on several half mile trails. Jackson was so excited to be out in the woods. He was really hoping to see a snake!

Brian being Brian:)

The big boys leading the way

It was sprinkling when we got there, but it never got worse. Jackson walked the whole hour and half that we were there and never complained. He must have loved it!

Lincoln was a trooper!

 He was fascinated with the big trees, but also teething and tired.

Thankfully, we never saw any snakes!

 It was fun to get out, hike, and explore God's creation with my boys. 

Looking forward to going again!

The Mom "Cycle"

Brian is very thoughtful and always does a great job of showing me how much he loves and appreciates me. The boys bought me a bike for Mother's Day this year. I love my new bike, but I love the note that came with it even more!! He is so creative!



The Mom Cycle

There are many never ending cycles of work for a mom

 “Get the boys ready for school” cycle

“Pick up after the boys” cycle

“Cleaning the house” cycle

“Preparing for work” cycle

The actual “work” cycle

“Making dinner” cycle

“Dishwasher” cycle

“Putting dishes away” cycle

“Laundry” cycle

“Folding laundry” cycle 

“Putting laundry away” cycle

“Making lunches” cycle

“Bathing the boys” cycle

…Just to name a few.

Sometimes it may feel overwhelming and unappreciated, but we know we couldn't live without you. You pour out your love into each of these cycles making you an outstanding teacher, the best mommy in the whole world, and an irreplaceable gorgeous loving kind gentle wonderful God fearing smoking hot wife. We thank you for all you do and are truly blessed to have you as our wife and mother. So, since we love spending time with you soo much we decided to give you a “cycle” that is much more enjoyable and will help create many new family memories for years to come.

       Love,

       Brian, Jackson, and Lincoln

At bedtime on Mother's Day, Jackson asked me if I liked his video or the bike better.:) His video was the sweetest thing ever. "He loves me a lot and loves me because I make him the best dinners every night!" LOVE that boy of mine!

Mother's Day 2014

It was a wonderful day! 

I woke up to Lincoln having slept through the night!, a Starbucks on my nightstand, and sweet notes and gifts from the boys.

My 1st Mother's Day as a mom of two! 

(Lincoln came 2 days after Mother's Day last year.)

He made me a mom! Love him and this picture of us.

Oh, Lincoln! SO thankful for your sweet life.

Blessed to be called "Mommy" by these two!

Last Mother's Day we had just come home from the hospital with Brian. I won't forget that night ever, but I also won't forget the peace I experienced from God. I am thankful this year's Mother's Day Weekend was much less eventful in terms of hospitals, and that God was with us each step of the way.

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you." Psalm 9:1-2

Mother's Day 2013

The best part of Mother's Day was that we were all home together!

 

We tried to take a few pictures before we left for Church, but the first picture is how Jackson felt about that.

 Sweet boy, so blessed to be his Mommy!

 We ran a few errands after Church because there was NO food in the house, did laundry, and then we laid low hanging out together.

We are so thankful for our moms and the love and time they have invested in our lives. 

Mother's Day

I am beyond blessed!

I couldn't have asked for a better mom. She has and still shows me what it means to put your children first. She is humble, self-less, and loves unconditionally!

My mother-in-law is another great example of love. She out does herself all the time!

All of us are lucky to have them in our lives.

My boys spoiled me this weekend.

Below are just some of my goodies:

I am so thankful that this little boy calls me "Mommy."

 I am not "the perfect mom". I make mistakes, I don't always know what I am doing, and sometimes my house is a disaster. But, I know no greater joy (or hard work) than being able to be a mom and raise Jackson in the ways of the Lord.

These two make my heart full of gladness. I do not take either of them for granted and love weekends like this where we just spend time together.

Brian put together a video for me. He captured Jackson's personality and it is something I will always treasure. Thank you, my love!

Mother's Day 2011

Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on.
Pooped on. Spit on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.....
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

*I always wanted to be a mom, but nothing compares to actually being one. What a privilege and blessing God has given me. The best part of this Mother's Day is that Jackson could actually say "Happy Mother's Day" and "I love you, Mommy!" Let me tell you those words can change any bad day into a great one and bring tears to my eyes.

To My Mom

Let me start by saying I love my mom deeply, I really do! But, there are times I have and still am completely and utterly embarrassed by her.

For example she is not afraid to:
-talk to anyone, anywhere and usually start telling them all about our life
-let others know how she feels
-scream loudly at a sporting event, school assembly, or anything else I was involved in
-question and harass your boyfriend or friends
-cut your hair or dress you the way she thinks is cute

However, there are way more times when she showed me she loved me and I felt so lucky to have her as my mom!

For example she is not afraid to:
-open her home to all my friends and let us destroy it and keep her up all night
-change her plans to make sure she can attend anything that involved my sister or I
-drive/fly hours on end to see me
-forsake nicer things to stay home with her children
-open her home up even if it is not "spotless"
-give up sleep to take care of foster babies
-teach Sunday school or us about Jesus
-stand up for me and do what ever it takes to make me feel better
-spank or ground me for the things I did wrong (she once even broke a wooden spoon on
my bare bottom:)
-go on field trips or help out at school
-be my biggest cheerleader
-cook meals each night for our family
-change the lives of 2 kids for the better

I could go on and on about the things my mom did/does to show me she loves me. She does have a big mouth, but she has an even bigger heart!

Every now and then I stop and think, "Oh, man. I sound just like my or that is something my mom would do." The older I get the more I realize that is not such a bad thing. Mom you gave me the greatest gift of love and showing me how to be a mother! I love you! Happy Mother's Day!
And since I shared a picture of my mom and me when I was young, I thought I would share one of Brian and his mom. I think he looks sooo cute!

Sharon, Thank you for being a wonderful mother-in-law and making me feel apart of your family. Thanks also for pouring your heart and love into your little boy.