Mother's Day

These are the questionnaires the primary teachers have the kids fill out for their own entertainment. If you can read it, you can't help but notice a "theme" here. Something to do with me and bed? It appears that Gabe thinks I really like my bed. Which I do. Don't get me wrong. But to me it seems as though I'm never in it. Perhaps Gabe just sensed my desire to be there more often? Either way, Gabe and I went over this one after he gave it to me. I mean...he's almost 12 and he still doesn't know how old I am? Turns out, he knows exactly how old I am and was doing me a favor with his answer. When we got to that question, he looked at me and with a twinkle in his eye said, "I nailed it. Didn't I, mom?" Man, I love that kid! He for sure got one right...one of my favorite things about him is his sweetness.
Speaking of sweetness...
My sister Jodi brought a new friend. I think she is kind of sweet on him.
My parents with my two sisters. I love the way dad is looking at Kelli. He looks at all of us that way. He loves his girls and they love him.
It was mom's birthday. We get to celebrate her birth and her willingness to give birth to all of us on the same day. She is truly an inspiration to me. She manages to work full time helping and healing others and then making a conscious effort to be present in the lives of all of her kids and grand kids. She is one of the most positive, energetic, fun, inspired, and dedicated women I know. I couldn't be more proud and grateful to have her as my mom!!

And then there's this boy...my most handsome, sweet and tender brother. (It really is very masculine to be sweet and tender, Erick. Don't let anybody tell you different).
...and these are his mothers. :)

You will often find Jodi mothering one of Kelli's......
And Kelli mothering one of mine....

...because that's what we do as women. We mother. We nurture. With or without children of our own, it is our inherent nature. And I couldn't be more grateful. For the many "mothers" I've had in my own life. For the many "mothers" that have rallied around and nurtured my children throughout their lives. And most especially, for the gift and blessing of being a mother to my four wonderful children. What an honor and privilege it is for me to be entrusted with their care. They are, without a doubt, my most valued treasure.