Mother's Day

I am so blessed.  I really am.  Even though sometimes all I can think about are the trials that I might have or that a loved one is going through, there are certain times when I am overwhelmed by my many blessings.
Mother's Day was one of those times.
The day before, my wonderful husband and children cleaned the house and made an awesome dinner.
(Steak is a blessing.)  :)

My amazing, hard-working husband was so exhausted from doing so much for me that he passed out after family prayer.  He is a HUGE blessing in my life.  (Don't tell him I posted this picture.)

Hello!  Breakfast in bed?  Even before 9am church?  Blessing!  (I couldn't eat very much though, cuz I was still full from the dinner.)

Richard and the kids spoiled me even more with a new video camera, clothes, and handmade gifts and cards (those are my favorites).  I won't post pictures though, as I am in my pj's in all of them.  But I sure felt loved and appreciated.

Of course, FIVE of my biggest blessings ever are Rebecca, Breanna, Katie, Jonny, and Megan. My heart is full when I ponder the great privilege it is to be their mother.  Truly so blessed!

 I can't post this without mentioning my own mom.  I seem to be missing her a lot more recently.  Perhaps because I am realizing more and more how much I really do need her and would LOVE to be able to talk with her.  (I do have lots of other people in my life that help me in many ways, but no one is quite like your own mom.)  Her influence continues to be a blessing in my life each and every day.  I love you so much Mom!

* Make fun of this picture all you want, but it is one of the few I have with just me and my mom.  I am 11 and this was at a Merrie Miss activity. So blessed to have such a wonderful mother!

Jonathan's 4th Birthday

I can't believe my Jonny boy is 4 now!  He was so excited to have a birthday.  All he wanted was a skateboard.  I'm not sure where he learned about skateboards...but oh well.  The day before his actual birthday, we had a regular Sunday dinner with family and Richard decided to make the cakes.  He is really awesome at this.  Check out this cool skateboard!  It is actually up on donut wheels.  :)  Jonny loved it!

Cousin Brandon got one too for his upcoming birthday.  Happy Birthday handsome boys!

The next morning Jonny couldn't wait for his skateboard.  So happy!

Already trying some tricks!

I took Megan and Jonny to the zoo while the older girls were in school.  It was hot, so we didn't stay long.  We rode the carousel and the "train," which is more like a slow-moving tram and Jonny wanted to get off.  Too boring.  But then Dad met us for lunch and played with him in the splash area for a bit.
Later, we took our family to Amazing Jake's.  I don't think Jonny remembers going here ever before, but he really enjoyed it.  He was so excited he got the drive the bumper cars all by himself, even though he didn't really move very much.

Here's cutie Megan with handsome Daddy.

The older girls love all the rides, but especially the Frog Hopper.  They are also great on the rock climbing wall.

We were all exhausted after all that fun, but Jonny still had some presents to open.  Here he is with his new toys on display.  He can barely keep his eyes open, but he's happy!

Happy Birthday Jonny!  We love you so much and are so glad you are part of our family!

Breanna's 10th Birthday

Well, it is now May...so Breanna had a birthday last month.  :)  Can't believe how fast she is growing up!  She had two or three days of celebrating this year!  Here she is on her actual birthday, getting ready for school with some new clothes and jewelry (of course!), curlers still in hair, eating a donut man with bacon arms and legs and a tator tot head.  Breakfast of champions!



I took her lunch to school (chicken sandwich, fries, and frosty from Wendy's).  But the kids all seem to like Megan the best.  You should see the kids flock to her. 

Breanna had her choice of where to go out for dinner, and what does she pick?  Golden Corral.  Yippee.  I think the kids just like to be able to eat whatever they want. 
Here's my cheesy boys at dinner.

And the girls...

Then we headed home to open a few more presents.  Breanna didn't want much this year. (besides a dog...our kids always want a dog, and the answer is always the same. Not now.)  So she ended up with more new clothes (always fun since she usually gets hand-me-downs), a giant teddy bear (cuz why not?), and an itunes gift card (so she can get some new games on her phone).  She was pretty happy. 

The next day was her birthday party.  She was so excited!  She invited 4 cousins and close friend, Desiree, for a sleepover.  (Becca got to have Desi's sister, Cassie, over to join in the fun too.)  Here they are eating pizza (what else????).

Breanna as a glow monster.  :)

The girls had a blast decorating t-shirts, getting pedicures, and watching movies.  They also really liked the cake balls and Dad's famous candy cake.

Breanna got more presents!  Kacy and Emily gave her 2 cute stuffed animals and cash!

Jenny and Kenedy gave more cute stuffed animals!

And Desiree and Cassie gave a gift card to Charming Charlie's.  Breanna is excited to go shopping!

It isn't a sleepover till you have a pillow fight!

Fun stuff!

Happy Birthday Breanna!  We love you so much!