Mom

{Brace yourselves....this is gonna be mushy}
There are not enough words to describe how I feel about my Momma.

I have been sitting here trying to find the perfect way to talk about her on this special day, but...... I am having a hard time putting it all out there because of what our family has experienced over the last little while.
Her love and devotion for my Daddy as he went through a horrific time over the last year.
Her bravery as she fought every single day to get him healthy again.
Her commitment towards, not only her immediate family, but also towards her friends and acquaintances even when she was experiencing the toughest time of her life.

I am positive there is no woman stronger...
...braver...
...full of more love...
...devotion.

She is my Hero.

My new goal in this short, fragile life is to live with as much authenticity and bravery as my Mom.

And I fear that it is unachievable.
But I will try.

Even as our family travels this journey without my Daddy, I know my Mommy will make it through it all just fine.
Because she is strong...
...brave...
perfect in every way.




For my Mommy......

{Told ya.  Totally mushy.} Happy Mothers Day!!!!

Mothers Day Gift Ideas Courtesy of Moi.

Mothers Day is coming up.
I am a Mother.
Many of the wonderful, spectacular, fantabulous humans who read this blog are Mothers.
So, I am going to be all nice and do some shopping for you.
Without actually purchasing the stuff.

And after reading this, all of you can get out your credit cards, click on the links below and purchase at least one of these fabulous items for me your Mother.

If I your Mother had one of these machines, she could pretty much create anything.  Vinyl cutouts and labels, tshirt decals, scrap booking layouts.  The possibilities are endless which makes the high price totally worth it.
And Mothers deserve something that is worth alot of $$$$ because they spend their lives cleaning up poop, vacuuming crumbs, preparing meals, chauffeuring the kidlets to endless programs, clipping toenails, refereeing fights.
You get the gist.

Silhouette

What Mother doesn't love jewellery?  And better yet, you can purchase it with their children's names/birthstones or any other meaningful saying.
I want one.
I mean..umm....it is the perfect gift.

Vintage Pearl

Camera bags are my newest obsession.  And when they are stylish, it makes me feel all tingly inside.
Just sayin'.
So if you bought me the Mothers in your life an Epiphanie bag, I know you might...OK definitely would make their day perfect.
Add in a sappy card and you are in the Will for sure.

Sorry, this picture sucks. Go to the website and tell them Momma sent you.  When they ask who Momma is, tell them that I am their biggest fan and they should send me a bag because I tell everyone I know about them.  Please and thank you.
Epiphanie

If we didn't have to purchase groceries and clothing for our children, this would be my number one splurge.
As well as every other item in this post.
But anyways, I am hoping to get into photography more and every picture I see edited using this program is a beauty.
I just wish you could bring an expert home to teach you how to use it!
So buy this for a Mother who loves taking pictures.  And throw in a class that teaches the program.

Lightroom

Add in a fancy shmancy camera strap for their fancy shmancy DSLR and you might just be their favourite person in the Universe.
But I am sure you already are.
This would just solidify the relationship.

Camera Strap

Other great gift ideas for the Mothers in your life
An endless supply of chocolate and pretty flowers
A magic potion to make cellulite disappear
A private dance lesson with Maksim
Or just hugs, kisses and unconditional love because that is what she wants the most.
A "Thank You for all of the work you do to make my life better" would be nice too.And World Peace.That isnt too much to ask for is it?????

Happy Shopping!

Go here to see MANY more gift ideas for the Mothers and Fathers in your life!

Mothers

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

From one Mother to another, Happy Mothers Day.

Hug your Mom.

Appreciate all she has done.

And thank her.

It is the best gift you can give.

Dear New Mothers

Dear New Mothers,

I am a mother. To three children.

I have conquered the land of Infantdom. The land of no sleep and alot of crying.

I have conquered (twice) the unknown world of Toddlerhood. It was a rough place but we all got out alive. Now I am experiencing it again...with a girl, and if I make it out this time, I will consider my life a huge success.

I am currently making my way through the huge city of SchoolAgedville with two boys, and it could just prove to be the toughest place yet. I compare it to a dangerous crime-ridden city, where there is alot of attitude, bad words and violence. So far, I am making it through but we still have a long way to go.

Please pray for me.

As I have made my way through these deep, dark unknown destinations, I have learned alot. So I wanted to share my findings with you newbies close to buckling in and going for the drive yourselves.

First of all, I am praying for you. Praying that you get sleep, get help from others, take time for yourself and I am praying that you soak it all in. Try your hardest to remember the moments.

After coming home from the hospital, you may feel euphoric. You have just pushed a human being out of your vajayjay so you should be very proud of yourself. It was a huge accomplishment. Your milk likely hasn't come in yet so get one last look at "The Twins" before they become painful and engorged. They will never again look large and perky. Kiss those days goodbye girlfriend. Before long they will look like deflated balloons.

Secondly, you are probably very tired. Exhausted is a better word actually. Well, get used to it because you will not sleep again for the next 18 years. Sorry to rain on your "Yay is Me Parade" but a full nights sleep will not exist until your children are grown and out of the house. But by that time you will be middle aged and not sleeping due to hot flashes and bowel issues, so, well...........yeah, that's life as a Mother.

Thirdly, everything you ingest, your new baby will ingest. If you drink coffee or soda, be prepared for an over-stimulated (also known as "wired") baby. If you drink milk, be prepared for many poop soup explosions (out of your baby, not you). If you like spicy food, GOOD LUCK with that. Let me know how it goes. So for the length of time you breastfeed, you will have to eat crackers, drink water and just look at tacos and burritos.

It is ok to cry. Hormones are raging throughout your body and your body is going haywire. Yell at your husband. It is ok. He will understand.

Your baby will cry alot. Usually during the night when everyone else is sleeping. Do what I did and cry too. Or eat chocolate. Alot of chocolate.

Remember the days of putting your shoes on and going out to the mall just for the heck of it? Those days are over. You will now need to get up before the sun rises to shower, eat breakfast, get dressed, get baby fed and dressed, pack a diaper bag, get baby in the car seat. Now cross your fingers and hope there arent any poop soup explosions because then you have to start all over....

Last but not least, bring baby into your bed, cry, eat chocolate and enjoy every possible second that he/she is this tiny, because it does not last long and you will miss it like crazy.

Love

*This post has been inspired by the prompts provided on Mamas Losin It*

Mushy Mommy Stuff

I am spending the day with my favourite people in the world and enjoying my Mother's Day.

I hope you feel as blessed as I do.

xo

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never got worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and teeth every day.

Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love so much.

- Anonymous Author