Happy Mother's Day

Agape is a Greek word for a particular type of love.  Agape’ love is love that is based upon principle and is, by far, the noblest type of love. Agape’ love is unselfish and is more than just an emotional response.  Briana Marie

I spend Mother's Day weekend thinking about my birthmom's with my heart filled with so much gratitude.  I always think about these special women in our lives, but on Mother's Day my heart is even fuller.  This morning I put on my special mommy bracelet that both Keslie (Dallin's birthmom) and I have.  A friend made one for each of us with Dallin's birthstone on it.  I feel a little closer to her when I wear it (Dallin's birthmom passed away a few years ago.) I hugged my boys and tried to smother them with kisses; they will get more throughout the day.  I became emotional during the musical number at church when all the Primary age kids got up to sing and for the first time, Dallin was up there singing to me.  I have the rest of the day where my husband and kids will honor me... but I want to honor my birthmoms.  I wouldn't have this awesome responsibility, experience the hugs and kisses, the funny moments and hair pulling frustrating moments without these two women.  They made me a mom. They changed my life.

Kelsie and Tracy- I honor you. You are our heroes, our angels sent straight from heaven.  We love you.  Thank you for sharing your boys.

Mother's Day 2011

This Mother's Day I took many mental pictures but failed to take out my camera for some real pictures. I'm a little bummed not to catch all the fun moments.

The one and only picture from Mother's Day: First thing in the morning opening presents and wearing PJs still. Both boys are looking at the camera though and smiling! Aren't they cute???

Mother's Day started first with celebrating it at preschool. We had our students make lunch for their moms, sing some songs for them and present a flower craft. The moms got to enjoy eating a real lunch and talking to women instead of fighting kids to eat. It was a lot of fun preparing the lunch with the kids.

Saturday night Dallin walked into the house carrying roses for me that he picked out while at the store with Zane. He looked so sweet holding out roses for me and he reminded me all weekend to look at my flowers.

Sunday morning we had a nice breakfast that Dallin and Zane made. Zane was really sweet because I wanted to try a new breakfast casserole that you have to make the night before so Saturday night he and Dallin were making breakfast. I'm sure it was the last thing he wanted to do. We were also hosting our extended family's dinner and Family Home Evening Sunday night, so that meant more work on our part making our house presentable and making dinner. Zane insisted on doing most of it to give me a break. He was great and the boys made my day special. I'm not sure my mom got much of a break. While we had our FHE lesson, my mom kept the grandkids in Dallin's room teaching them a lesson so we could have an adult discussion. She survived somehow but she is a pro!

It was a great day with my boys. Mother's Day always has me reflecting even more on their wonderful birthmoms. Without these amazing women, I wouldn't be a mom. How grateful I am to them.

Happy Birthmother's Day

Two years ago I received a card from Dallin's birthmom wishing me a happy first Mother's Day. That first Mother's Day is a big deal for any mom, but it is especially a big deal for all the women who waited a long time for the chance to be a mother. When I got the card from our birthmom, I just cried. I couldn't believe she would be so sweet to think of me when all I could think of that day was her. She made me a mother. She placed in my arms the most sweetest, full of energy and love, and cutest little boy in the whole world. When I look at Dallin, I see her love and sacrifice for him. Although she has passed on (and I will forever be using this picture... man I wish I had more), she always remains with us through him. So whether you birthmoms celebrate birthmom's day or mother's day, we honor and love you.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day-- It is all about the men doing the cooking and the women relaxing. My little sister is home from college right now and it soon dawned on her that it is Mother's Day for all her sisters too and not just for our mother. She then took charge and organized the meal making sure all the men knew their duties. Good job Lindsey and thank you!

Lindsey and Jared making bread sticks

My dad and Zane cutting up meat and vegetables for the Kabobs (Zane was so touched by the whole day, he couldn't stop crying in this picture as he cut the onions!)

The boys did a great job grilling everything. The Kabobs were great!

The mothers relaxing--well someone still has to feed the babies!

Dallin playing baseball with Grandpa

My mom with her new necklace-- My friend Tiffany made this necklace with five birthstones representing each of my brothers and sisters. My mom definitely deserves mom of the year. There is no better example of Christ-like service and love than my mom. Thanks for everything!