Mother's Day

I can't help but be extra grateful this Mother's day... grateful for the darling child I already have and the new one growing within. To top things off the weather has been most pleasant and my beautiful husband has been incredibly attentive to my needs. I have felt so loved and appreciated and life is better than good, I dare say it is near perfect. 

Sitting in church today I felt drawn to the women that have yet to be blessed with their own children (some of which are far too old now to ever receive this blessing) and I felt a sense of gratitude towards them. Despite their longing to be a mother these women have refused to let the void they must certainly feel inhibit them from spreading motherly love. I thought about how each of them has uniquely impacted my life and my child's life and then my thoughts roamed... Do these women know just how special they are? Do they realize that they need not carry a child to impact one? Do they realize that without them, mothers everywhere wouldn't be as successful? I know for certain that I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for the examples of certain women. In each phase in my life I can think of one or two women who helped carry me through. I have been VERY blessed to know and love these women and I think its only fair to acknowledge them this day...

I am grateful for my mom for teaching me how to love with hugs and kisses and to keep a clean home.

I am grateful for my mother-in-law (sounds too formal - just plain 'mom' sounds better) for teaching me the importance of staying true to your convictions and remaining involved in your child's life well after they have 'grown'.

I am grateful for my Grandma Janis for teaching me to give, to laugh, and to serve.

I am grateful for my Grandma Marlene for encouraging me to 'branch out' and discover my true potential.

I am grateful for my Aunt Marilyn for teaching me to love God's word and to share it. (Still working on this one - but the example is there and I am grateful for it.)

I am grateful for my sisters and their talents. They inspire me. 

I am grateful for my close friends for supporting me and loving me despite my flaws.

All of these women enrich my life. They have and still do encourage me to be better. I have become the woman I am today in part because of them. Furthermore I am the mother I am because of their motherly ways. Happy Mother's day ladies!!

May play at Fidalgo Bay

Gotta love sunny days in Western Washington!! Bright green vegetation, sparkling sunshine and almost always a nice cool breeze. We were lucky enough to get such a day over Mark's weekend and so we ventured outdoors to soak it all up at one of our favorite places in Skagit County - Fidalgo Bay.

Just us girls hamming it up.

Mark assisting "Mr. tough Guy" across the bridge. Parker's fear of water is his Kryptonite.

Gracie, AKA "Queen Cheese"

Pic of mom and dad taken by Gracie... not bad at all (except for Parker's head near Mark's crotch).

It's a boy!!!