Mother's Day (May 8, 2016)

This was taken right before we took Ethan to the MTC.

My little sweeties each wrote me a cute little note for Mother's Day. Eli drew me a beautiful picture. Ava made me a homemade card. On the outside it said, "best Mom    Mom your a star  Your a spesll mom  your the best  -avacado" then on the inside it said, "Dear Mom, Dear Mom your the best mom in the whowl galicsey   Ges wat you won a prise for being the best mom in the galicsey  I hope that you have a fun muthers day!  -avacodo  (Then she had a little card to open inside that had a bunch of   xo's . Ava also did artwork at school for me.
Jake's card said, "Dear Mom, You're the most wonderful, AMAZING, smart, and the best at your job:) You're the best mom I could ask for, and I wouldn't want any other mom. You're amazing because you know how to deal with screaming kids, cook amazing meals, always trying to make us happy. You're the best at your job which is being the best mom. You will always be by our side if we're sick, and even though it mostly gets you sick too:)  I love you mom and I hope you have an amazing, awesome mother's day.
Brad's note said, "Dear Mom You are the best mom I could ever ask for. Mainly because of how much you love us and care for us when we are sick or when we need you. Mom, you are the best and all of your kids love you so very much. Thank you mom  Love Brad
Ethan wrote me a letter. He said, "Dear Mom,  I love you so much Mom!  You are my favorite mom in the whole world :)  I hope your mother's day is filled with joy. I really am so grateful for you. Without you I wouldn't be on a mission. I wouldn't be turning into the man I need to be, and I wouldn't be ready for life. Without you I would be nothing. I know that sometimes getting me ready for a mission was like pulling teeth, but I'm grateful you didn't give up. You are the most Christ-like person I know. Thank you mom for helping me down the right path! You are a great woman and an even better mother. I know why Dad married you. It's because of your unwavering faith in Christ. Thank you for helping me gain that as well. I am grateful that I can be with you and dad throughout eternity. To be able to be one big family. Thank you for being my mom. I will never be able to repay you, but I will try! Happy Mother's Day! Love Elder Ralph
And then my sweet husband wrote me the most beautiful letter. On the back he wrote, "An Awesome Mother is Someone who:  Love's Unconditionally,  Gives up her time,   Gives up her sleep,   Picks up her kids from the movies at 2:00 in the morning on Mother's Day,   Stays up to watch movies with her daughter. . .just to hold her in her arms,    Goes and visits her own mother to spend time with her,   Makes her husband feel wanted, special, and a part of  her world,    Keeps a journal so her kids will remember and have special memories,    Goes to the store all of the time,   Takes care of the kids even when they feel they don't need to be taken care of,   Will go do things for the kids just to do things together and spend time together,   Loves holidays and makes holidays special,   Goes to church even though she hates being in public around a lot of people,   Sacrifices her own wardrobe so her kids and husband can get clothes they want,   Constantly cleans dishes and kitchen multiple times throughout the day,    Fills the house with love,   Fills the house with joy, laughter, craziness, and a sense of calm,   Fills the house with special aromas with all the great meals prepared almost daily,   Spends hours at a time doing homework with the kids,   Spends 2 hours with a kid in her lap doing ABC Mouse,   Reads scriptures and has prayers every night,   Teaches her children. . .at least until the 3rd grade when her kids become too smart,   Teaches the gospel because she is the ultimate example of heaven.   Wow, I have the perfect wife and mother of my children. Life can't get any better. I will always travel the road of life with you and follow you into eternity with love in my heart for the girl of my dreams.  Your one and only Pill"

It was the best Mother's Day for me! All of these sweet sentiments and thoughtfulness. Even notes from sister-in-laws and sisters. Deborah sent me an email that said, " It is said: "Mothers hold their child's hand for a moment and their hearts forever." Today we celebrate not only our moms but all the special women in our lives with whom we have shared moments and times. So today I celebrate you! Happy Mother's Day Love Deborah" and then Jill sent me a text that said, "Happy Mother's Day!! You are THE best mom! You are so fun and hilarious. You are full of patience and love. You are able to put everyone at ease and make them feel special. I love you."  Rachel sent a text of flowers and "Happy Mother's Day", Ellie, Elena and Alisa all wished me a Happy Mother's day as well!  It was the most beautiful weekend!! I sure do love my LOVES!!!!