Happy Mother's Day...one day late

The official holiday is over. Allow me to wish you a belated Happy Mother's Day! I hope yesterday was a fun day for all moms out there. Isn't it fun to have a day devoted to us?

Of all my roles and responsibilities in life I must say being a mother is one of my favorites. It is exhilarating, exhausting, fun, frustrating, rewarding, overwhelming, and soooo much more. I have learned so much since becoming a mother. I have learned that I would go to hell and back for my children - and felt like I was on that path a few times. I have learned I am a "mother bear" and would take on anyone or anything to protect my kids. I have learned that being a mother has absolutely nothing to do with sharing DNA. Mothering is being given the blessing of parenting a child entrusted to you through God's plan for your family. I have discovered that a lot of parenting is learning as you grow with your children. I have learned that mothering 5 children is an adventure of a lifetime! Remember those "my child will never..." or "I will never do/say..." statements? Yeah, those comments come back to haunt us don't they?

At the end of my life my desire is that my children will know I loved them more than life itself and tried to lead them to a life of living for Christ and fulfilling God's will for their lives.

Our Mother's Day weekend highlights consist of a Cincinnati Children's Choir concert of Katie's, Zack's high school baseball end-of-season tournament, Katie's Freshman dance, and the little ones swimming in the freezing cold pool. My family gave me a beautiful card, trees and flowers for the pool area, and my always favorite Barnes & Noble gift certificate. They know what I love! I also received adorable handmade cards from the little ones and precious gifts made at school.

Due to the baseball tournament being on Mother's Day weekend Zack's coach gave each of the players a huge chocolate bar and insisted they give it to their mom along with a hug. Chocolate and a hug from my 17 year old son - awesome!

I'll share a few pictorial highlights:

Zack - our baseball player



Katie and friends before the dance

Our girl


Of course no holiday would be complete without at least one child having a fever. Yeap, Gus mystified us with a come-and-go fever throughout the weekend.

23 days of school left! Wahoo!!!
33 days until we leave for Guatemala! Holy moley!!!