Happy Mother's Day & Thank You!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you beautiful mommies out there! I forgot to take my camera to church this morning so this is the only decent picture I got for our Mother's Day Celebration. The kids went with my parents today right after church to go visit my grandmother. So I got to spend the day at the lake with my husband and that's exactly what I wanted to do. Yep, I got a day off on Mother's Day, just Mommy and Daddy ALONE on the boat at Lake Grapevine! But last night was great! I really cleaned up on Starbucks stuff and that was fine with me! Jeremy is always so creative with gifts on this day. Since I became a Mom, He has learned that this is the perfect day to be sentimental! I plan on writing something about my gift that I received this year so until then I will keep you in suspense!

I pray that each of you felt special today, that's what it's all about! This morning Josiah said, "Happy Mother's Day Mommy! Happy Mother's Day to me too. Okay Mommy? Say it to me too, Mommy." So I did! Happy Mother's Day Josiah and Ava Beth. You are the greatest gifts in the whole world and my life is better because of you and of course your Daddy too!

Oh and I want to say thank you to my best friends in the whole world. You women have helped me in my journey of being a Mommy. Thank you for always being there for me. Each of you teach me so much and I love you more than you know. So, in no particular order, here it goes!

Courtney, you encourage me in ways that no one else can. You met me when I was a new Mom and expecting another one. Instantly, I knew we would be friends. You are the BEST cook I know and I just pray that I can cook almost as good. I wish you still lived in Texas so we could meet at Grapevine Mills to eat at Corner Bakery and then shop till we drop! But now even though you are in Indiana, I still get to talk to you almost everyday. I love nationwide long distance! I miss you so much and I love you.

Kelly Ann, my friend since eighth grade. You balance me out so well. Thank you for taking care of me. That's what you do, you take care of me. I am so glad that we are getting to raise our boys together. We have more babies to have and that is gonna be so fun too! What a precious woman of God you are and one of the most amazing listeners I have ever known. I love you Kelly Ann!

Rebecca, I miss having you across the street. I miss calling and asking to borrow the ketchup AND OTHER THINGS! I am soooooo thankful for you and you have taught me everything I know about taking care of a newborn! When Josiah was colic, you would hold him for me so I could take a bath. I can say anything to you, anything!!! Also, I love how you laugh at my jokes. You know that I love to be funny and you laughing at me really makes me feel great! Okay Betty Sue??! I DON'T miss Little Elm but I do miss YOU!! I love you Aunt Rae Rae!

Lo, (Laura) you are one beautiful chica and a great friend too! You talked me into Karaoke on the cruise, you went down the water slide with me and you yelled, "Jim, hey over here!" while we were watching that Las Vegas type show on the cruise! That was funny! And you make me laugh more than anyone because you are so dang funny! I love you Lo!

Kathy, you say all the right things at all the right times! You make me feel like an awesome Mom, wife, friend, daughter, everything. You are my fairy God Mother and I love you so much. I am so blessed to have you in my life. My kids adore you!

Mom, Mom, Mom, you did things right. Look at me! I turned out pretty darn good! You are a wonderful Mom and wonderful MiMi. I call you a million times a day and each time we have something new to talk about. You do my hair for free, you always buy my lunch, you give me stuff all the time and you make me feel beautiful. If it weren't for you Mom, I would not be the woman I am today. Thank you for your constant Godly example. I love you. YOU ARE MY HERO!

Diana, I was twenty years old and you made me try out for the praise team at FC. You even went with me and I made it! You have always been my big sister and loved on me even when I was an annoying twenty year old. In Salt Lake City I lost my ski poles and cried and you told me "Buck up Mandi, it's not the end of the world." I got mad and said "Don't act like my Mom." You said, "Well, I'm a lot older than you so get over it! God put me in your life for a reason!" You are my spiritual rock Diana! I love you!

Charlene, thank you for being my gracious, kind, forgiving Mother-in-law. I have not always been easy to love but you refused to do anything but LOVE me. I know I sometimes struggle with believing it, but I really know that you love me like your own. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandmother to my babies. And thank you for my husband, you are a great Mom. Oh and THANK YOU SO MUCH for our date nights. You are always willing to take the kids for a while when I need a break. You are a hard working, amazing, Godly woman and I love you.