Mother's Day at School/My Birthday/Mother's Day

Those two celebrations happened on the same day this year, which made for a super busy day for this momma. 

First stop, Taylor's classroom. Taylor rubbed lotion on my arms and hands, brushed my hair, gave me a super cute hairdo, put a tattoo on me, and served me a muffin and a drink. It was fun to see him in his element.

Second stop, Logan's classroom. I was late showing up to his party (because I can't be in 2 places at once). But Zoey's mom was so nice to let Logan put nail polish on one of her hands, while Zoey put nail polish on the other. Logan painted my nails, brushed my hair, and also served me a muffin and a drink. It was super cute and sweet.

Since we were already there, Kendall and I surprised the boys by crashing their lunch. They were both really surprised and excited. But Logan's excitement quickly wore off because he just wanted to sit next to Zoey. And Taylor wanted to sit next to his friends, too. On the bright side, their friends' excitement didn't wear off. They all wanted to sit by me and Kendall, take pictures with us, and rub my belly. Haha.

Finally, after the boys got out of school, we went Kendall's classroom for her Mother's Day celebration. The kids sang a couple of songs, then we ate... yes, you guessed it, muffins! Muffins for Moms. Kendall was very thoughtful and let her teachers know it was my birthday, so everyone also sang Happy Birthday to me.

After William got off work (I told him not to take the day off because I would be running around all day), we went to the Food Trucks for some yummy dinner, then picked up some ice cream on the way home. We put some candles in the ice cream, then the kids gave me some gifts that they had picked out at the store with William. It's one of my favorite traditions, to see what the kids picked out for me. William admitted that they had needed to direction, so I wouldn't end up looking like a clown, but I think they picked really cool necklaces that I'm actually going to wear :-)

Just 2 days later was the official Mother's Day. William had the day off, so he and the kids got up super early to bring me breakfast in bed (and we still made it to church by 8:30). It was a great surprise that I didn't expect, because we had to be in church so early, and because I slept right through the cooking noises (this pregnancy is making me sleep very deeply).

So. That was our weekend. But I want to talk a little about how blessed I feel to be a mother, so here comes the mushy gushy stuff.

Dear Kids,

I love you! I really can't say it enough. And I really can't describe this selfless, endless, pure love that I feel for each of you. I'm guessing it's the kind of love that Heavenly Father has for each of his children, each one of us.
My whole life changed when I became a mother. I graduated from college, but never went to work, sacrificed my body to carry you, my friendships to be home with you, and my hobbies and talents to spend time with you. I've learned to put your needs ahead of mine, and I will continue to do it as long as I live. I did all this because I love you. And I would do it again. And again. And again.
You've grown up so much already. I know you still need me, but in many ways, you don't. You have all become independent and self-sufficient. You just don't need me as much as you used to. And it breaks my heart a little. I miss rocking you to sleep. I miss kissing your booboos, I miss being your favorite person in the world.
I make mistakes. I'm far from perfect. I lose my sh**. I yell. I say things I don't mean. And I immediately regret saying them. Then I wonder if my words will mess you up for life. If they will affect you, change you, make you insecure. I am so grateful for your forgiving hearts, your sweetness, and your innocence. I am grateful that you still love me, no matter how many times I screw up. I wish we could all stay little and keep these qualities as we grow up.
I thank Heavenly Father each day for trusting me to love you, nurture you, protect you, teach you, and guide you to become the best young men and woman that you can be. I hope I teach you by example. I hope I teach you to love and serve, be kind and patient, and so many other things. And I secretly hope one day you'll want to become a little more like me, the same way I still hope to become a little more like my own mother.
I want you to know that I love your daddy. Marrying him was the best decision I ever made. Because of that decision, and because we love each other, we were blessed with you. I am so grateful for our family. Each one of us holds a special place in our family, like a puzzle. My ultimate hope and goal is that our family will always be united. That we will always trust and love one another day. That we will always have each other's back. That we will always want to come back to one another.
Sometimes we drive each other crazy. Often times we whine and complain. Sometimes we argue and hurt each other's feelings. We have bad days, like every family, I'm sure. But then I look at you, playing with each other and sharing your toys. I see you serving each other and cuddling. Your laughs are contagious and I want to remember them always. I want to remember us cooking dinner together, playing board games, reading books, riding our bikes on the street, snuggling on the couch while watching a movie, and doing our chores on Saturday morning because that's just what we do.
Those are all memories that I will cherish forever. Even as you grow up and reject my kisses because your friends are watching, I will always love you, and you will always be my babies. Some days my heart breaks when I watch you and realize you're not babies anymore. But I also look forward to seeing you become the people that Heavenly Father wants you to be. I love you, and I hope you will always remember me saying those words to you, even when you're tired of hearing them.