Mother's Day

Mom,
I just want to say thank you.  I think I've always had an appreciation for how you raised me and the relationship we've had, but since becoming a mother myself, I've really gained so much more respect for you.  I never realized how deep and strong a mother's love is for her child until I had my own sons to love.

I never realized how hard it must have been for you to have a toddler and a newborn and I somehow now forgive you for leaving me sleeping under the tree at the beach all those years ago.  :)  I never realized how painful it must have been to have your child yell at you, argue with you, think they are always right, until I had children of my own and I'm already dreading the moment they think they know it all.  I'm so thankful for the bond that we've always had.  The way we can make each other laugh like no one else in the world can.  The way people always think we're sisters.  The way we (used to) eat ice cream like it was our job.  The way you used to rub my back and sing me lullaby's  -  the same exact songs I now sing to Camden every night.  Thank you for all the sacrifices you made to give me the life that I've had.  I've always loved you, but I think I love you even more now that I'm a mom too.  I'm glad I have such a beautiful, strong, intelligent, passionate, giving person to model my life after.  Thank you for being the most amazing mother and grandmother.  I love you.

And to Mom A,

I couldn't be more thankful for the family that I have married into.  You, too, have set such a wonderful example for Scott and me to follow as we raise our boys.  Thank you for doing such an incredible job helping to shape Scott and make him the man he is today.  His strength of character, his work ethic, his compassion are all reflections of the incredible parents that both you and Dad A have been to him.  Thank you for making me feel like the daughter you always wanted (even though I now have to share that title with two wonderful sisters...!) and for being such a great grandmother to our children!  Love you and Happy Mothers Day!









Here are a few pictures of the amazing line of women that I am proud to call my family...
 
My Great Grandmother - Katherine Grey (My middle name and Micah's middle name are named after her!) with my Grandpa Gordon (my mom's father)...

My maternal great-grandmother, Eleanor, with her mom, Melanie, 1904...

 My Grandma Sylvia (my mom's mom) as a child with her mother, Eleanor...

My mom with her mom, Sylvia, in 1961...

Me and my mom...

My sister, Caren, Mom, Grandma Sylvia and me...

And me with my boys...I love being a Mommy!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mothers in my life!

You Have Permission to Mock Me

So I have a confession to make.  I watched almost the entire royal wedding - LIVE!  Yes, it's sad to say that Camden has been a superstar at waking up at 4:00am since we stopped letting him sleep with his binkie (transition is going WAY better than anticipated.  He doesn't even ask for it or cry about it at all...but he seems to be waking up even earlier than he used to).  Scott is usually the one to get up with Camden in the mornings.  I am on Micah-duty (which is no easy task, my friends.  We were "blessed" with two non-sleepers) and Scott is generally on Camden-duty.  I'm SO incredibly thankful that I have a husband who views parenting as a partnership.  Even though he works all day (and night usually) he selflessly gets up and takes care of Camden in the early morning hours.  This might be different if he were the one capable of breastfeeding the baby, but at the moment that is my wonderful excuse to stay in bed with the little one.  I really do have the best husband.  (Thank you, Scott)!  Yesterday, Camden was up around 4:00 and Scott tried his hardest to get him back to sleep until close to 5:00 when he asked if I'd be willing to take over.  On normal occasions, it would have taken much more to convince me, but yesterday I knew there was something wonderfully entertaining on television that I was secretly really excited to check out.  I wasn't too wrapped up in the hype leading up to the big day, but once it arrived my curiosity got the better of me.  And I have to say, it was a beautiful, wonderful wedding and a piece of history that I'm glad I got to witness. I love Kate and I love that they were college sweethearts.  I love that she is a "commoner" and is being thrust into this very public position - she seems to be handling it so well.  My mom came over around 6:00 and watched with me and the boys.  It was fun to share it with her and Scott got to sleep in for a change (until 7:00!).

A few wedding highlights for me:
- I loved how Harry couldn't resist turning around to see Kate walking down the isle and then whispering to his brother.
-  I loved the boys choir - beautiful!
-  I loved the little smile Kate and William shared when her brother was reading scripture - a little private moment amidst the billions of people watching.
-  I loved the sermon the Bishop of London gave - a really wonderful message.  You can read the text here.

-  The carriage ride, the dress, the hats (!), not one, but two kisses on the balcony.
-  When Kate and William first stepped onto the balcony and you could see Kate say, "Oh, wow!"  What a moment that must have been for them!

Ok, so I'm a total loser.  Make fun of me.  I can handle it.

Images from cbsnews.com and people.com.

One Year!

One year ago today was a scary day for our family.  My mom had a mastectomy after finding out she had breast cancer last fall.  Her surgery was successful and after opting not to undergo chemo and radiation, but instead focus on eating healthier, exercising and researching ways to live a healthier lifestyle we can happily say that one year later she is cancer free!!!  YAY MOM!!!!!  What a relief and answer to our many prayers.  Cancer is such a scary thing, and it seems to be almost an epidemic this day in age.  It doesn't seem to matter how old you are or how healthy you are...it's everywhere.  My mom has been such an incredible example to me of taking something that could have crushed you to the core physically and emotionally and taking charge of it and making the best out of a intensely difficult situation.  I can honestly say that I've never seen my mom with more energy, more zest for life, more discipline before in my life.  Thank you mom for being such a great example to me and all the students you come in contact with everyday.  Thank you for showing us all that circumstances do not need to dictate your life.  Everyone says we look exactly alike, but I hope I got more from you than just your stunning good looks!  I love you!