Mother's Day 2017

  We arrived back to our children and home friday evening from Hawaii.  We are still kinda on Hawaii time and have a feeling this week is going to be rough.   I haven't edited a single pic, but hope to get it done this week as I completely caught up to the day before we left on my yearly photo albums.  I've been focused!!

    Mike made our traditional Mother's Day crepes with fresh homemade ricotta and fresh berries for breakfast.  This year we had strawberries and blueberries and I put a little of my homemade marmalade on top.  YUM!!  We snapped a picot the kids and I before church and all of the children were smiling, but I wanted another one with Mike so we did this one after church. Unfortunately Joel was too tired to give his big grin, but it's okay.  Such is life.  I was feeling very grateful for my husband who gets me and I rely on to do this mothering thing.  We really are better together than we ever could be separate and this year I couldn't imagine a Mother's Day picture without him.  As you might recall, last year I didn't have a choice!

    We were able to celebrate with Mike's parents as they were still in town from our trip.  We were so fortunate to be able to get away and have peace that our children were being well taken care of.  It has been a while since we have been with Mike's mom for Mother's Day so that was special too.

  For dinner we had an impromptu gathering at a friend's house and this was about the extent of pictures taken.  The moms got to eat poolside by themselves and the dads took care of us all night.  It was pretty amazing!

  At church, our pastor finished up a series on work and this sunday talked about the definition of success.  Without intention, we will define success by the standards of the world...fame, fortune, perfection, etc.  As a stay-at-home mom, I want to be successful.  Getting all of the lunches and snack packed and the kids off to school on time is one success, but that gives me about zero fulfillment.  Does playing one more card game, reading one more book do it though?  As a task-oriented person I want to be successful and accomplish something everyday too.  Hence, feeling extra good about being caught up on my photo albums.  I was so proud of myself...like, I am so awesome for that!!  Good job, me!  Somehow it is trying to fulfill me in a way that being organized simply can not.  I don't have any conclusions or answers here, but the sermon had me thinking. When all is said and done, am I stewarding my God-given talents as a way of loving God and loving others?  At the end of my life I want not the world, but God to say, "well done!"  I am not sure what it looks like, but I do know that it is at least the measure I am aiming toward.

Happy monday, friends!