Mother's Day Wishes

I wanted to send love and thanks to the moms in my life who are each unique and amazing women--my own mom who has a rare dual gift for storytelling and listening, my Grandma Dinah who loves and nurtures every plant and animal and person she meets, my Grandma Cannon who I think must be the most organized person I have ever met and who raised eight children (I wonder almost daily how she did that), and my mother-in-law who loves to help and give to others. Motherhood can certainly be tiring and demanding, but it's also one of the most rewarding callings in life. It's the simple things that I remember most fondly from this year--my weekend jogs with Caleb when we can talk without interruption, spotting Sierra at school and seeing her face light up as she runs over for a hug, and holding onto Madeline's babyhood just a little longer as we cuddle in her in a fleece blanket. Hope all you moms had a happy Mother's Day and realize what a wonderful job you're doing. And mom, I hope to give my children the joy and love you have always shared with me.

On Mother's Day, Ted pampered me by cooking both breakfast (oatmeal) and dinner (pancakes). Each of the kids also made a present--Caleb a drawing of me that looked a great deal like Aunt Jemima, Sierra a flower pot filled with Hershey's kisses, and Madeline a hand-written letter that I suspect Daddy may have helped her compose. I spent the day pulling apart the kids' closets and switching out the winter clothes for summer ones. It felt like a day off because the weather was beautiful and I didn't have to do any dishes.

Me and mom

Me and Mom

Grandma Cannon with baby Jennifer, mom, and me

Grandma Dinah, Grandpa Frank, and their dogs

Grammy reading to Sierra and Caleb