Happy Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, complete with a Cole celebration on Friday night and a Frey celebration on Sunday afternoon. We were busy taking care of kiddos and trying to get dinner on Friday night, so no pictures were taken...boo. But I decided to include this recent picture of Nanny and Landon in honor of Mother's Day. Kay is just the best Mother-in-law in the world and loves our kids immensely. Landon's favorite playmate is Nanny and when she is around, everyone plays second fiddle!

Then there is Mom-mom, another Landon favorite! He learned to shuck corn with her this weekend. Mom-mom teaches Landon all kinds of fun things, especially having to do with gardening and outdoor life (feeding squirrels, birds, etc.). Mom-mom made a special trip to see Landon and Connor and got this great porch time with Connor too. :)

I had a lovely Mother's Day. We went to church and enjoyed a wonderful sermon about women. I made it just in time for the sermon b/c my little Connor has been sick. I let him finish his nap, had to give him a breathing treatment, then we met up with Stan and Landon who were already at church. We came home, ate some leftover grilled hot dogs with chili and prepared for the Freys. Mom, dad, Karen and Marc and Zaiya came over and we enjoyed grilled chicken, corn and fresh cantaloupe and rolls. It was a beautiful day that ended with us taking the boys the the park followed by bedtime then Stan and I worked out.

It was a beautiful Mother's Day and my husband was wonderful. He asked me what I wanted to do, bought a beautiful card and let me pick out beautiful flowers for our front porch. We spent some good quality time together and began talking a lot about our boys and being parents. I have started reading a book called, "Bringing Up Boys" by James Dobson. It has given me a lot of insight into the things that drive little boys and men for that matter. I see it as a huge responsibility to raise men and want to do the very best that I can.

I have recently started to develop a much more protective nature when it comes to my boys. It is not like it wasn't there before, but I think as kids get older, other moms and people in general, tend to feel more at liberty to chime in about your children. My friend, Virginia, calls it the "mommy mofia". I am so thankful to have the friends that I do who can listen and support me through the rough spots of parenting, while every moment encouraging me and also speaking positively about my boys. My boys are the most precious thing in the world to me (along with Stan and second only to Jesus).

I told Stan, I have recently felt like saying, "Get off of my kid!" I know it sounds crazy, but there are little subtleties that can really hurt my feelings and nothing more tender is the heart of a mommy. Yes, my Landon is strong-willed...but boy is he bright, boy is he tender-hearted, boy is he a laugh a minute. I wouldn't change a thing about him. Maybe he isn't yet potty trained for poop, but I am sure he won't go to Kindergarten pooping in his diaper. And while we are waiting for that glorious day when he decides to go in the potty, I don't want to shame him in the process.

Mothering is hard work. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am so grateful for my Landon and my Connor. Both are God's unique gifts to me, the ONE person who was chosen out of everyone else in this whole world to be their mother. I am honored. I am so blessed. I pray that I will be the kind of mother who makes my boys proud.

That Little Boy of Mine

Two eyes that shine so bright,

Two lips that kiss goodnight,

Two arms that hold me tight,

That little boy of mine.

No one could ever know how much your coming has meant.

Because I love you so, you're something heaven has sent.

You're all the world to me.

you climb upon my knee.

To me you'll always be,

That little boy of mine.

-Grace Wolgemuth