Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a wonderful day for many and a difficult day for many.  I feel so blessed to be a mom to two beautiful and healthy children.  However, I also know how difficult the day can be when a loss has been suffered.  As one who has suffered a miscarriage, I know the feeling of that loss.  But, I don't know the pain of that loss when you have carried a child to term and suffered stillborn or lost a child.  I also don't know the pain of infertility.  Of a couple that wants a child so desperately but is unable to conceive.  My heart aches for these women for who Mother's Day is so difficult.  But for each woman, I lift prayers up for you and pray that you were still able to celebrate the gift that today brings!  For this day that you have been blessed to live another day with health and happiness.

My parents were here last weekend and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend relaxing and visiting.  Saturday evening my Auntie Lee joined us for a bbq.  The weather was sunny and hot.  It seems that we skipped Spring this year, going from Winter into Summer.  Sunday was another sunny and hot day so while the kids jumped on the trampoline and played in the yard, we sat on the deck and just soaked in the sun.  That evening we met Auntie Lee for Vietnamese supper.  Dad then flew home but Mom stayed until mid-week.

Monday evening was a beautiful night for ball and nice that my Mom could come and watch Jaret play.  Tuesday was special as it was Kirra's Mother's Day Tea at pre-school.  Wonderful to have my Mom be a part of that celebration.  Kirra couldn't have been more proud to sing her songs with Mom and Grandma there.  Tuesday night Mom and I went out shopping and then we had a later supper at Joey Chinook where the two of us celebrated an early Mother's Day.  Wednesday morning was Jaret's class chapel so Mom was able to come with us for that.  Jaret was excited about his chapel and even participated in the songs and actions - which is big for him as he is not one who likes to be front and centre.  It was hard to see Mom go as I loved having her here.  But, I am hoping to visit in early June as she has knee surgery on May 22 and could probably use some extra help.

It was a nice Mother's Day, starting off with a run by the river.  I was got up early and went for a run by myself.  I ended up doing just over 11K and it felt wonderful.  I felt like I could have kept going.  Although I said earlier that we skipped Spring, Spring was definitely in the air.  The smell of the trees flowering.  The sites of geese as they flew overhead.  The sound of praise music mixed in with my running tunes.  The feel of the breeze on my face and the feel of how great my body felt as I ran mile after mile.  I think I have become addicted to running!  Following my run, I picked up Starbucks for the family and arrived home to waffles with whipped cream and fruit and a side of bacon.  It was delicious!  Terry wasn't feeling great so I cleaned the kitchen and then face timed with Shea.  It was so nice to visit with her and to also spend some time giving kisses over face time to Baby Brecken.  What a treat!  I just can't wait until their visit this summer where I can get real cuddles and give him kisses.  The rest of the day involved taking it easy and a short walk down at Prince's Island with the kids.  The river valley is so beautiful in Calgary and it was relaxing to just stroll the paths with the many other families that were doing the same.  I got spoiled with some special handmade gifts. Kirra made an adorable flower arrangement for me at pre-school.  The flowers are made from her hand being traced.  The tag says, "These aren't just flowers, as you can see.  I made them with my hand, which is a part of me.  They come with lots of love - especially to say I hope you have a very Happy Mother's Day!"  And Jaret made me a cute little picture where he is pointing to the moon and the note on the back says, "Mom, I love you to the moon and back no matter what."  Such sweet gifts from two caring and loving children.  Life is good!

I really feel blessed.  I feel blessed to be a MOM!  I am fortunate to have two healthy and beautiful children and I pray that God will continue to guide me to be the very best Mom that I can be for them.  I also feel blessed by my Mom.  I am so grateful for the love, support, and encouragement she has given me since the day she gave birth to me.  I can imagine that raising me wasn't always easy, Mom and I see from how picky my son is to how stubborn that my daughter is that I am getting that back now.  Thank you for being the Mom that you have been to me.  I am blessed by my Mother-in-law and that she accepted me as her daughter even before Terry and I got married.  Thank you for your love and for the many prayers you have raised up for us and the encouragement that you give us.  I am blessed by my Grandmothers.  Thank you Grandma Martha for being there for me - from times I was a little girl and you baked me Black Forest cakes for my birthday to my university days when you would make supper while I came over and did laundry and we watched figure skating together to the visits we have now when I am home with my own family.  Thank you Grandma Mary for the influence you have had on me over the years and the love you showed me from a young age.  I still remember when Mom and Dad traveled and you took care of us.  I am not sure you knew that Lisa, Kyla, and I woke up late one night to make mushroom soup.  Not sure why we decided to make soup in the middle of the night?  And to the many other women who have influenced me in my life, my mentors and my friends, thank you for being such an encouragement and for being a source of strength.  I am truly blessed!  Happy Mother's Day to all of you!