Happy Mother's Day!

I would like to start this post by honoring two very special women in our lives, my mom and my mother-in-law. God has blessed me with both of them.

My mom has always been there for me and we are so much alike in many ways - we just seemed to "get" each other. She welcomed Robert into our family from the beginning of our relationship and she is a wonderful grandmother, always willing to watch the kids if I need her to, and often asking to see them if it's been too long. Thanks, Mom, for all you are and for all you do!

Sharon is the best mother-in-law I could have ever hoped for. First, she raised an amazing son, for which I will alway be grateful. She has always treated me like one of her own and made me feel loved. She will always take the kids for a weekend when Robert and I need a little time to ourselves. And she pretty much keeps my kids in clothes - and cute ones at that! Thank you, Sharon, for everything!

Mother's Day is supposed to be all about moms, but I also need to brag on my husband. He has proven again this past week what a wonderful person, husband, and father he is. He was under a tremendous amount of stress with work this week. He has been working on a particular project for almost a year and a half; challenges and issues have continued to come up that have prolonged the project. He needed to complete the project this week, or there were going to be some serious consequences involving potential legal action from the client. In addition to this work stress, his father, Joe, had surgery in Texarkana on Monday to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung, as well as a portion of his lung. His recovery has not gone as well as expected and he needed someone with him around the clock. Because of his work situation, Robert was unable to be there. Robert's younger sister and Joe's siblings took turns staying with him (a big thank you to them for being there!). Robert worked extrememly hard and finished up his project on Thursday night (hallelujah and praise God!) and left Friday morning to help out with caring for his dad.

After spending a mostly sleepless night in the hospital, he came home Saturday afternoon and almost immediately began preparing for Mother's Day. He made a marinade for the wonderful pork roast that we had for lunch today and made lemon-molasses bread that he served me in bed this morning, cut into heart shapes. When he finished those preparations, he took time to play a Pokemon game with Cullen that we had given him for his birthday. Robert's dad is doing better today and even asked that no one stay with him tonight. Depending on how that goes, Robert will either go back tomorrow or sometime later in the week. I have just been amazed with my husband this week and how he has continually put others' needs before his own. We've had a wonderful day today relaxing and spending time together.

Robert took this picture of me and the kids this morning before church. See that beautiful family portrait in the background? That's my Mother's Day present - I love it! The kids also gave me some very special handmade gifts that I will treasure. I have been blessed beyond anything I deserve and am grateful that I get to be the mother in this wonderful family!