Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. It has been a sweet day around here. I got a shower, did my hair, and my make up! I wore jeans (a rare thing in quarantine). We had brunch, we facetimed my mom and grandma, and then Dan's parents. It wasn't the same as being together, but it was good to see their faces. We watched church online and spent the day with some friends who are like family. We grilled out and ate some delicious homemade brownies. I was given some shoes I had been wanting and some plants for our yard. We played games and listened to music while dancing in the kitchen. I didn't do the dishes and didn't have to handle any of the discipline.

Being a mom is the best job in the world. It is the thing I always wanted. I have loved babies since I could say the word baby. I wanted a gaggle of kids. I don't think I could ever comprehend the depth of emotion motherhood could bring until I experienced it. I was blessed to become a mom at a young age. I have had children grow in my womb. I have lost a child. I have waited for a child. I have loved a child who only called me mommy for a short time. I have felt joy, terror, pain, fulfillment, loss, and had so much fun.

Motherhood is messy. I have been covered in bodily fluid, cleaned Vaseline out of sheet and off walls, cut gum out of hair, done more loads of laundry than I can count. Motherhood is sticky floors and messy faces. It is paint and school projects. It is angry outbursts from a preteen. It is long talks and sibling fights. It is complicated relationships with birth moms that are not quickly explained.  It is being ok with awkward moments in public when a child throws a tantrum and you have to carry them out of there surf board style.

This mom gig is pretty much the best. These people I made are making me a much better human. They bring me to my knees daily and keep me humble. They push me to be better. They are turning into really fun young adults. I love each day with them. I am so blessed this Mother's day and every day to be their mom.

Baby girl turns 9

 How do you celebrate a birthday while staying at home? You ask a friend to make a special cake for the birthday girl.

 She got to make her own birthday pancakes, which she loved.

 She requested steak and mashed potatoes for her birthday dinner. She asked for roller blades and has been out on them every day.

 We let her open all her gifts that evening. We also went for a hike, and some friends dropped off a homemade gift. Overall, she had a great day. We are excited for next year when life might be back to our normal, but I think we did okay with our socially distant birthday.

Easter weekend in quarantine

The weekend before Easter we did lots of fun family activities. We wrote encouraging messages with sidewalk chalk.

We made our annual Easter birds nest with Peeps. This is one of the kids favorite traditions.

Getting ready for Easter we had to do our quarantine haircuts. I cut all of the men's hair. Dan was a little nervous. It had been years since he let me cut his hair, but it turned out fine.

The teenager is loving all the animal snuggles. We rarely see him without this Comfy on. Oh, the outfits of middle schoolers.

Of course, we had to dye eggs.

Even though Easter morning was very different this year we tried to keep some traditions. We dressed up and watched our church service online. We made had appetizers we love, had a big dinner, and made a fun bunny cake.