Mom's Day

Since being married, Mother's Day has held a lot of emotions for me. Those first few years it was the most dreaded of celebrations. Not that I don't love and appreciate my own mom (and now my mother-in-law who raised an amazing Eric), but because of the blatant reminder it was to how badly Eric and I wanted to be parents, and that wasn't happening for us then. I hated going to church that day. I hated trying to be happy for other young moms when I wasn't.
I know, I was . . . angry, sad, frustrated, bitter . . . all of the above. But it's the truth. That's how I felt.

Before we even knew about the boys, and over time (after a lot of prayer and scripture reading and priesthood blessings), I came to find peace and understanding. I could celebrate motherhood and be happy for others again.

Really, the only negative thoughts I had last Mother's day were over the fact we got flowers instead of chocolate at church! :)

SO this Mother's Day was my first as being a MOM.
A mom to two of the most silly, cuddly, energetic, loving boys who I absolutely LOVE completely.
And this Mother's Day also held a lot of emotion. I remembered all the sadness the day used to bring. And felt sad for anyone to whom might feel how I used to.
But I also felt JOY. Lots of it!

I woke up to the sounds of clanging in the kitchen, boys arguing, an oven timer going off, boys yelling, a threaten of a spanking . . . and I SMILED. I just lay there and enjoyed it all.
Only a few minutes later, the boys were jumping on my bed telling me about a SURPRISE breakfast downstairs! They knew they had tricked me. :)
I was delighted with the heart-shaped biscuits, eggs, and bacon.

During Sacrament meeting at church, all of the primary children sang to us. So what if Kyler and Kacin did more standing and staring than singing!! I just watched them up there and felt so proud of them and so grateful to have them both as my children. It was a beautiful moment.
(On a side note, Kyler also gave his first talk in primary today! Another proud mommy moment.)

The afternoon brought a little reading and napping and a LONG walk. It was a perfect day to spend some time outside.

Finally, we made some Mother's Day sugar cookies.
We cut out some people and star shapes.
But my favorite was tracing Kacin and Kyler's hands. There has to be some kind of children hand-print gift on Mother's Day. Mine just happened to get all decorated with frosting and eaten up.

Kacin's hand (left) and Kyler's hand (right)

Happy Mother's Day!