Mother's Day

The Friday before Mother's Day, White Emerson Mortuary partnered with the Whittier Pregnancy resource center and had a candle light service for the unborn child. It was for both families who had miscarried, and for those who were grieving after choosing to abort a pregnancy. I made food for the reception following the service, and the big kids were with their grandma, so after I got the reception room set up I sat in the lobby with Charlie and listened to the service. I was caught off guard by how emotional I got listening to a Chaplain speak about the three kids he's lost, two miscarriages and one to a terminal illness. As well as an employee of the Whittier pregnancy center who had gone through a long grieving process after aborting two pregnancies when she was much younger. I couldn't stop looking down at this little sleeping babe as the tears ran down my face. 

One of my best friends miscarried during my pregnancy and our babies would have been just three weeks apart. And another friend miscarried just before Mother's Day. I couldn't help but think of them and ache for them during this service. I lit candles for their babies after the service, wishing that it could somehow take their pain away, but I know it didn't. I don't know what it feels like to lose a baby. But it hurts to grieve for a friend so I can only begin to imagine. 

I would imagine Mother's Day tends to be a more tender and painful day for so many, rather than a day of celebration. I kind of wish it would just go away because all moms know that we never really get a break, and that's okay. But it's a hurtful reminder to so many who want to be moms and for whatever reason haven't been able to. I'm in full support of churches that honor all women on Mother's Day, not just moms.

Having said that, I had a lovely Mother's Day with my husband and kids. Simple, nothing too fancy. And I still did all my mom duties and had a nice day. 

Paul gave me new bathroom stuff for Mother's Day. I finally have it all put together and the old stuff out. I've had the little birds forever and I got the birdhouses this last trip to Utah. And a couple weeks ago I painted them all to match the new stuff. The old look was all lime green, black and white. I love the new bright colors.

The shelves are ikea spice racks. Only $3.99 each. The bottom gray one is hung upside down to make it a towel rack. I love them. I have three hanging in my walk-in closet too. And I want to get more for kids' book shelves.

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I feel so blessed to have these three. They are my greatest joy. 

Even on the longest, messiest, most exhausting days (and nights), I'd always rather be doing what I do than not doing it. 

May in (mostly) pictures.

Every time I empty my pictures from my phone, I realize how much I don't blog about.  I'm still deciding how much I care about all the little things.  But for now, here's a few of my favorite everyday-moments from the month of May, in no particular order.

 We went to the National Day of Prayer.  There was a lot of praying for the leaders of our nation, and a lot of calling Christians to repent for speaking ill of said leaders who they may not agree with, and to also begin to pray for them regularly.  I thought of a couple dozen people I wished were there paying attention to that part.

 I helped do the food at a wedding.  It went really well and after it was done I spent a day or two really wanting to start an event decorating/party planning/catering company.  But it's not time.

We had a fiesta on Cinco de Mayo.

Mother's Day gifts for my mom.

 I made her this mini memory game.  Little 1-1/2 inch wooden tiles, some with patterned paper, some with pictures of the kids.

Picnic at the park with friends.

Monster cards Garrett and I made for our California moms and aunts.

Poppy and the kids playing while my father in law made a mothers day breakfast at the park.

 I love Poppy (Paul's Grandpa).  He brought a whole bucket of supplies and scrubbed his wife's and his mother's markers at the cemetery.  Then he read a poem to me and my MIL all about moms.  He's cute.

 The reasons I got to be celebrated on Mother's Day.

Some of their best bonding moments happen in Costco carts.

 Addie had her 18 month well-check a few days ago.  She hates everything about the doctor.  She had a growth spurt since her last check-up.  The doc even asked if I've noticed her outgrowing clothes quickly the past couple of months.  I think she weighs 26 lbs. and is 32.5 inches tall.  She jumped to the 75%ile in both. And of course her cute head hasn't changed much. (Actually went from 95th to 98th.)  There's been some concern about my nephew having a big head.  I'll spare you the details, but my brother (Will's Dad), me, and Addie were all in the room when a doctor came in to talk about William's head size, and that it may possibly be something that runs in the family.  There was a lot of laughter in the room with that team of doctors and all of us.  The Mickey Mouse stickers on the way out of her appointment saved the day.

 Garrett's friend turned two last Saturday.  We went to his Cars party, but the train table was the best part. (For G and the birthday boy anyway.)

Life is moving so fast!

Project 365: 127-133

May 7- See that piece of mail?  I'm being summoned for Jury Duty.  Hoping my full-time caregiver excuse gets me out of it!

May 8- It's not really a black eye. but it's definitely a conversation starter.  She took a running dive at an office chair and the scratch on the end of her nose came along with it.

 May 9- I headed to downtown LA at 5:30 in the morning to be at Jack's when they opened at 6:00AM.  I needed some candy to finish our booth for Great Strides.  It's a good thing I knew what I needed and I was in a hurry because wholesale candy and toys?  Yeah, I had like 4 themed birthday parties planned in about 30 seconds.

May 10- I got an early Mother's Day delivery.  Flowers and a snow cone with vanilla ice cream on the bottom.  So good.  Reminded me of hot days in Hawaii.

May 11- Snacks and drinks for two exhausted, dirty kids.  We had a successful kite flying afternoon at the park with friends.

 May 12- Just a regular Mother's Day dinner with the in-laws.  Moms at for free!

May 13- No, we're not moving.  I'm working like crazy to get everything packed up for Great Strides in SLC on Saturday.  We've had a change of plans and we're leaving tomorrow morning instead of Wednesday night.  My nephew was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center this morning.  We're praying for answers and that he'll get the help he needs.  I just need to be with my family right now.