Mother's Day

May 14, 2023

I had a very nice Mother's Day this year.  It is always good to feel loved and celebrated.  Parker called the day before Saturday.  I was a little stressed when I saw the call come in.  He had been sick the previous two weeks, and he only calls on Mondays.  I was worried he was in bad shape.  

Well, he was calling to wish me a happy Mother's Day, and we had the best visit!  I was making shirts, and we just chatted for almost two hours.  Usually we have a group call.  That can get a little chaotic.  It was really nice and less confusing/complicated to just chat one on one.  I can't wait to see my boy in two months!!!

Erin gave me flowers and a large Hersheys candy bar.  Both were appreciated.  We gave her a large bag of TruFru chocolate covered strawberries.  Her mom sent over flowers too.  So thoughtful.  I was surprised and felt a little badly that I didn't do anything for her.

Tanner wrote a sweet note and included a coupon for an ice cream date.  I need to redeem that soon for sure.  He's a busy boy and any excuse to have some one on one time will work in my favor.

Aub wrote a very sweet card and gave me the prettiest necklace.  I've worn it several times and have received many compliments.  

Brian gave me a card and some of my favorite candy bars.  He usally takes care of dinner too, but I can't remember why that wasn't needed this year.

On Sundays, my dad doesn't have caregivers, and I try to relieve him for an hour or two.  Kerry goes over during and after church, and Brit and Ang usually make time as well.  Chris' Sunday schedule is a little more complicated with his current calling as Stake President so it doesn't work as easily for him.  But I digress.   I went over to be with my mom and had a tender experience.  She was a agitated (crying and upset), and I was able to hug her and hold her.  She calmed down enough that we were able to shuffle over to the green couches.  She stretched out and laid her head on my lap.  We had a calm 15 minutes on the couch as I spoke softly to her and rubbed her head.  As I care for my mom, it just makes me think about all the times she has been the one caring for me.   I'm so grateful she is my mom.  

I also told the kids how this made my Mother's Day.  Tanner got a little grin, shook his head and said he would lay his head in my lap for 15 minutes while I rubbed his head if that made me happy.  I know he says he has no idea what to get me when holidays roll around.  (A universal kid-parent problem I think.)

To round out my Mother's Day, I wanted to share some of the sweet book Brinley gave me.  I loved reading what she appreciated about me and hearing about some of her memories.  It made me think that I've done alright as a mom!  Here are a few pages:

The Carlsbad Caverns trip was the funniest thing.  We were going cooped up Covid crazy, and we headed to explore the caverns.  We got there before 3:30 pm, and they were sold out for the day.  What?!  The funniest part was Brinley was still so happy about the trip.  You can read more about the trip here.  Last summer, we took another go at the caverns and had a great time.  I think our first trip will always make us laugh though.

This love of learning made me happy.  When I read it I exclaimed, "I got this from my dad!"  We had a good chat about some of the things I remember him learning throughout the years: photography, speed reading, computer stuff, parenting books etc.

So many fun memories, and I loved reading some of the things she remembered and appreciated growing up.

She teased me on some of the pages.

Happy Mother's Day to me!