Mother's Day Weekend

Last weekend was my first "official" Mother's Day (even though I think last year should technically count!). I told Ryan that I didn't want flowers or special gifts, just some good quality family time and maybe a little time to myself if possible. :)

Saturday we went to lunch at Subway and then walked over to a frozen yogurt place called The Frozen Frog. We had never been before and it was sooooo yummy. The best part about it to me was I could pick exactly how much I wanted and exactly which toppings. Here is an obvious difference between Ryan and me. I put a tiny portion of about 15 different things in my yogurt where he just picked 2 and stuck with those. I guess opposites do attract! Later that afternoon I received another gift in that Ryan took JT with him to run errands, and I got to stay home ALONE!!!! Yay! That almost never happens. That night after dinner Ryan surprised me with a Mother's Day cake that he and JT had picked out for dessert.

The next day we went to church and then to eat at Shogun which is one of my favorite restaurants here. Everyone knows that I do not like vegetables, but I LOVE the ones that they cook for you. We keep trying to figure out the secret but no luck yet. James started off enthralled with watching the cook but when it got to the part with fire and flames he kind of freaked out. Ryan ended up having to take him out for the rest of the lunch which was so sweet because that meant I got to eat my lunch in peace and without stress.

That afternoon I got the greatest gift ever- a nap. Back in my LBK (life before kids) a Sunday nap was one of the highlights of my week. Ryan and James also gave me a sweet card and a bluetooth! Haha I know that's not what most people would want for a gift, but I had been asking for one so I can talk on my phone while strolling, working in the house, etc.

Being a mom has been the most challenging and rewarding adventure of my life. I remember being pregnant and telling Ryan that the responsibility of raising someone felt so overwhelming. How was I ever going to be able to do it? And especially do it right? Knowing that every decision and action you take is molding a human life makes for a challenge that can be daunting. It is the one job in life that you really don't want to mess up, and there are no do-overs. Yes, thankfully children are forgiving and every day is a new day to start again but you can never get back yesterday. That being said it’s amazing how God gives you more patience and love than you ever thought possible, how He gives you enough grace to make it through each day while you are just trying to do the very best that you can. Being a mom makes you more than ever depend on Him for wisdom and guidance. I have realized that I will never know enough or be able to do enough for James, keep him safe at all times, and always do things “right” but that is why we need a savior. As much as Ryan and I love James we will always come up short. Only Jesus can fulfill our deepest needs and at the end of the day I'm more thankful than ever that the load isn't completely on my shoulders. And believe me, the mother load is a heavy one! I can give it to Him and that gives me such peace. I am also so thankful to have had my mom, mother-in-law, and many “mom “ figures who had been such awesome examples to myself of what a great mother looks like.

Thank you Ryan for embarking on this parenting “adventure” with me and for making Mother’s Day weekend so special for our family. Thank you James for blessing my life in more ways than I can count. From the moment you were born our lives have never been the same, and we wouldn’t change it for anything. The joy of being your mom is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I will forever be grateful that you are my son. I love you!