Sorry I missed last week. I was actually with my mother, which was fitting given it was the day before Mother’s Day. My sisters were there too, which made it all the better. Anyways, this year’s Mother’s Day was wonderful. There was quite a bit of drama in our church congregation over what the traditional gift to the women should be. Peoples’ opinions ranged across the whole spectrum from hating the day to best day EVER…and Neil had to make the decision in the end. He opted to send a beautiful letter to all the women celebrating what it means to be a woman and how motherhood is a central part in that, regardless of where you fall on the spectrum. It was perfect. But in the midst of the drama, I had a chance to think about what my opinion is and I had some really nice moments of clarity. Point is…I’ve made my peace with the day and was able to thoroughly enjoy the people who make being a mom the best job in the world.

Wednesday before the day I got to teach the young men at our church how to decorate a cupcake. One of the boys stoleborrowed his sister’s cupcake machine. It worked a treat to make small cupcakes…except Garyn and Charlie pulled them out a tiny bit too soon. We had lava cakes instead! But the frosting was yummy and the boys had fun. There was even enough batter for a few cake waffles to use up the left over frosting. We won all the things, and each mom (there are only 3 of us) got a box with 6 baby lava cakes

Saturday (day before the day) was full of things that made me so happy. We finished the garden wall, went and got me basil plants (I got sweet basil and Thai basil but they didn’t have lemon basil. Boo. But I found something called “Pineapple Sage” which is exactly what it sounds like only with leaves that look more like a mint. I’m so excited to see what happens with that one.) and I made pink soap! I love making soap. Because I’m weird. Then I got to go have dinner with my favorite womenfolk.

Breakfast was delicious (courtesy of Naomi) despite the picture saying otherwise and Corra picked the flowers and arranged them especially. Milking happens no matter what, and that’s convenient because I happen to like milking goats.

Big epic dinner with aunts and cousins and grandparents. Oh my. And epic cake.

Love this lot. They’ve taught me everything I know about motherhood. I’ve got a fair bit to go, but I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made.

Then there is this guy…who needs no introduction. He grilled eleventy-seven hamburgers for the family dinner while I took a nap. If that doesn’t say love and devotion I don’t know what does.

So the thing about being a mom is that I couldn’t do it alone. First off my kids are 50% his. Second off he does all the stuff that makes it possible for me to focus on being my best mom self…you know like making the money and taking over teaching math (among other things). I’m grateful he is neck deep in the parenting shenanigans and loving it as much as I do.