Motherhood

This year I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I didn't feel the guilt I usually feel about all of the mistakes I've made while mothering, but instead I felt tremendously happy and grateful for the amazing, beautiful people that I get to share my life with that are my children! Many people have commented on how "brave" I am for having a 5th child. I don't feel brave at all, I feel greedy. I just love all of my little munchkins so much I want more! My friend Jenny posted on her blog, "No matter what your situation, and despite your failures, your children love you and count on you, and to each child you are THEIR best mom ever." I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband who is ALWAYS there for me cheering me on. We are a team and I couldn't do half of what I do without him!

Church was really great. We had an all-sister Sunday in Relief Society that was fabulous and an awesome Sacrament Meeting as well. Our last speaker is the cutest little lady in the world. She is so passionate about life it is contagious! She speaks several languages, is into music, dance, and was a fabulous painter. I say was, because now she is blind. That doesn't seem to stop her though, she is so vibrant and full of life. She spoke about how grateful she is to be a mother and a grandmother. She also spoke of the love she has for her mother and grandmothers who have passed on and how she looks forward to being reunited with them in heaven. She also spoke of her love for our Heavenly Mother and how she can't wait to see her again. This is something Mormons believe, that other Christians might not. We believe that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother that are both the parents of our spirits. As their offspring we have the potential with our spouses to become gods and goddesses and create our own spirit children. It was just a very uplifting and rejuvenating meeting.

I too am so grateful for my mom and the example she is to me. I'm also glad to have a step-mom that is so dear to me too. I miss my mother-in-law, but see glimpses of her in my daughter and I know we are all a family forever. I have many grandmothers that are all precious to me. I hope when I am a "grammy" that my posterity will feel that way about me.

One of Leonard's colleagues from Taiwan was in town for training so we had her over for dinner. It was so wonderful to see you Shannon, and thanks for the cookies and peanut nougat (I'd been craving them!). By the way, you look really good with 4 kids (tee hee!)