Mother's Day 2016...Thank You Mom!

It's Mother's Day!

Cards, Wildflower seeds to plant so we help the Bee's make our world Bee-utiful, 12 chocolate covered strawberries...but only one left! Hot coffee and handmade writing paper!

I was gently woken at a civil hour which in and of itself was a huge treat. I found all my family sitting at the table patiently waiting to serve me breakfast. They made homemade waffles served heaped with oranges, ricotta cheese and drizzled with honey, a warm coffee to savour and chocolate covered strawberries. I felt like truly spoiled! This NEVER happens in my house. It was peaceful for at least 30 minutes (a record for our littlest to have sat that long without causing some kind of distrubance). I was joyfully presented with little gifts and cards of appreciation from these three. It was certainly a good morning  and I sat there thinking that I was truly blessed. 

Not all of my Mothers Days have been happy ones. Some have been downright sad and full of despair. The sermon today was about the biblical perspective on Divorce and I was overwhelmed by old memories of that time in my life... time when I had nothing. No husband for he left, no son for the said husband took my child and moved him far across the country, no money for I was single and working and trying to save money just to see the child who I was separated from by forces that were not my doing. I had not cheated in the marriage, I was at school (university) so the court ordered the child to live with his father who looked stable and was getting remarried quickly. It was a time in history when the court of law sided with the father's who had been underdogs (today siding is not longer allowed). I was alone that Mother's day with nothing. Nothing to show for the stretch marks on my abdomen. Nothing to show for 3 years of marriage except that I was paying child support. It was enough to make even a hardened heart despair. It was the polar opposite of where I find myself today. In that moment long ago I couldn't have imagined how full my heart could feel today.

I feel blessed.  I am blessed to be where I am today. I would like to point a finger of blame though on my MOM for some of this overwhelming blessing! (Ha!). I am blessed to be a child of a Mom who is really good at mothering (and Grand-mothering). In fact if it weren't for her original love I am not sure if I would have survived the early hardship in my life. I am not sure I would have been able to create a strong bond with my preschool son from 4,083km away and end up with this as the result! He is just such a great kid; truly a lovely soul!


My mom was always there for me and I new I had to be there for him.


My mom always encouraged me to do my best and work hard to get what I wanted. My mom was quiet, kind and gentle. My mom created a life for me that I wanted to create for my child (and now children). My growing up years were full of  little things like gardening, yardwork, housework, meals that were all done together  as a family. She taught me tolerance as she tolerated my crazy love for arts and crafts, the outdoors (think snakes and salamanders, stray animals and bats) among other things (and of course Dad!Ha!). She fostered a compassion for the world and the people that live in it.

My mom was always there.


There to sew dance costumes,
  (my favorite costume!)


watch skating and dance competitions, give me constructive feedback on performances, cheer loudly, hug me when the results weren't great, encourage good sportsmanship and to cheer  that next time I was brave enough to try hard. My mom helped me be brave enough to try again. She made me practice things I hated doing. She was a good mom!

SO... I want to blame all my blessing on her! She taught me how to be a good mom by being a good mom herself!

Thank you to my Mom who is just a really special lady! I love you Mom. I love how you are with my littles. They really love their Nie Nie!

First time holding a Kitten! 

 I have this life full of blessing and Mom you are a big part of it! Thank you for choosing life for me when I am sure it might have made more sense to choose something else. Thank you for all the cuddles and snuggles that I got when I was really little so I can pass them on to my babies!
 



 Thank you for having such a big family so I could experience the joy of lots of sisters!

Sooo much drama! ...missing Alyssa of course!

Thank you for everything. I wouldn't have had this life if not for you! See what you have done! You raised me well and I hope I can raise my own the same way! ;)

Exploring outdoors and testing our balance skills

Hanging out with Sisters and Cousins

Working together at a young age

Swim Lessons...

Second Generation of Dancers! 

There is so much more that I could include but I really just want you to know that I love you Mom and all that you have done! Thank you Mom for this beautiful life! I love you!