Tricked, Spoiled, and Blessed

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I was very pleasantly surprised this Mothers Day. I had thought that Joe hadn't gotten me anything. Usually what happens is I remind him of an event, suggest a gift or two (because he needs some help), and then leave the rest up to him. A few days ago, I asked if I'd have a gift by the weekend. For the last year or so, he's been notorious for getting me gifts way after the fact. Anyway, he pretty much had me convinced that my gift would be here late. 

On Sunday, he woke up and got in the shower before my alarm went off, so I got a little extra rest before church. As I was getting ready, I heard him running all around the house. I really just assumed that he was getting diaper bags and stuff ready. I thought I smelled coffee, but I was kind of hungry so I chalked it up to that. Since the girls were still asleep when I was finished getting ready (wahoo, happy Mothers Day to me!), I came in to get some breakfast. And I found coffee, donuts, and a gift waiting for me on the coffee table. Shock. Of. A. Lifetime. He totally fooled me! I got one thing I asked for and a surprise gift, too.

Rings with the girls' names on them. LOOOOOOVE!

(I asked for this. ;-))

And a Nicholas Sparks book I haven't read!

My mom also gave me some flowers, which was totally unnecessary and also very sweet. :)

Please excuse the mess that is my kitchen counter and bar. 

It's a work in progress.

I also got a flower from church when we were picking up the girls from the nursery/children's church. I was definitely not expecting anything (mostly because they didn't do this last year), so it was a sweet surprise.

We went to lunch after church, which is something we never do. Then we just spent the rest of the day hanging out around the house. It was really nice!! 

I kept thinking about things our pastor said at church yesterday, and one thing really stuck out to me. Out of all the women in the world, God chose me - specifically me - to be the mother of these girls. I don't know why, but He did. He made me the most influential person in their little lives, and gave me the ability to stay home to love, care for, raise, teach, grow, and cuddle them. It's often a pretty tough job, but it's a special one. In all, the message was a good reminder that I have a special calling and an even more special place in their lives. And I'm so grateful for them.

Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.

Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.

How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

~ Psalm 127:3-5

The First of Many

Yesterday was my very first Mother's Day. It was a happy day, but kind of surreal. Though I guess the last month and a half has been surreal. Sometimes I just really can't believe that she's here and she's all ours. =)

Joe bought me a gift from Etsy, but didn't realize it would take a while to get here so I don't have it yet. Which is fine with me. If there's one thing I've learned in this military life, it's that it's really not totally necessary to celebrate something on a specific day. It's just a day, even if it's significant. Anyway. Saturday, we did a little bit of shopping and I got a super cute maxi dress, some new nail polish and a nursing tank top. I think those will hold me over till I get my "real" gift. ;-)

Sunday morning, Joe made me some french toast for breakfast! The funny thing is that I thought I didn't like french toast until recently. =P While I was in the hospital they served it for breakfast and I figured I might as well try it since I didn't have to pay for it. I was still skeptical, but it was there in front of me. And what do you know... I liked it! And Joe offered to make it for me for Mother's Day breakfast. I gotta say I liked his better. And now I want more. Figures.

Charlotte was nice to her mommy and slept through the night again! I woke her up on Sunday morning so that we could get on schedule and be at church on time. She was very cooperative...before church, that is. I guess that's just the way things go sometimes!

All dressed up and ready for church!

It was really nice to be back at church this weekend, and especially for my first Mother's Day. Not all churches do it, but ours gave a pretty plant to the oldest mother and the mother with the youngest child. I'll let you guess who the latter was. ;-) Now let's hope I don't kill it! 

Even though we ended the day with Joe going to work, a power outage, and a very upset baby, it was a pretty good Mother's Day. And really, how could it not be when I get to be this precious little girl's mommy?

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Aloha Style

Well, my Mother's Day was certainly not what I had anticipated!

I got a text around 0830 from my mom saying my grandmother {on my dad's side} had fallen at church and was at the hospital. Luckily, my parents were with her when it happened and they took her straight to the hospital. God bless her, I think my mom waited until she knew I would be awake to text me. ;-) Anyway, so my mom spent most of her day at the hospital. I'm sure she didn't anticipate that either. And the good news is my grandmother will be fine. She's got a couple fractures and a concussion, but she's fine. And she's tough. I have no doubt that she'll be fine in a week.

I went to church, where I got to sit with Mrs. C, her hubby and mom. Then, after church they invited me to lunch! I gladly went and we ended up going downtown, eating at PF Chang's (YUM!) and walking around Waikiki. For someone who had plans of going home, eating cold pizza and making phone calls...this was a big day. Haha!! It was a really good time and I ate entirely too much food.

I all but passed out on the couch when I got home. I don't usually do that many activities in one day. Ha! Then, I tortured myself with Army Wives' homecoming...and watching Coming Home. *sigh* More on all the emotions that stirred up later.

Mom and I at the park, 1988ca. =)

I don't know why, but I really love this photo.

Mom can get under my skin sometimes, but she's still Mom and I love her. She's done a lot for me in my almost 25 years. Not to mention she put up with my psycho craziness while I was in college. I think anyone might deserve a medal for that. =P And God bless that woman for not kicking my brother out yet. Haha!! 

And just because, here's the photo Anna sent to me this morning of my cute little nephew. Safe to say it made my day.

Yes, he's wearing the shirt I bought him...and laying on the quilt I made him. =D I am one proud auntie. How much longer 'til I can hold him?!

I hope you had a great Mother's Day!