Mother's Day

Mother's Day just gets better and better. I have been in a 'cleaning out' mode lately, some may call it nesting, and I was clearing out an old drawer and found a handkerchief I had been given on Mother's Day a year before I became pregnant with Alyse. Memories came flooding back of the pain of that day! We had been trying, unsucessfully, for over 2 years to have a baby. There were obvious problems and I was losing hope. I remember crying through the entire sacrament meeting and feeling so empty as the speakers talked about the incredible joy that is felt in being a mother! I could no longer believe that I would ever have a child of my own and the pain was so intense. All my life I had wanted a family, I longed for the day that I would feel a baby kick and move inside of me and I wanted nothing more than to look at my sweet baby and see pieces of Russ and snippets of me looking back. To feel that 'joy' that everyone talked about and know that this special person was ours. Now years later after waiting so long for this blessing in our lives we not only have our sweet Aly in our family but will soon be welcoming our baby boy and my joy cannot be measured! I am certain that I needed to go through that trial to truly appreciate my beautiful little girl and to see the miracle in getting pregnant with this baby boy so quickly! Words cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity to raise these children and have them call me mother. This is not to say I don't have my days of frustration and exhaustion, they are often, but I just have to remember how blessed I am and all perspective comes flooding back! Last mother's day I couldn't imagine a day ever being better! I had a very sweet little baby, she was not able to call me 'mommy' yet however it was such a joy to just hold her in my arms, to finally be a mother. This year my cute little munchkin again was in my arms, but by her choice not mine, we spent the day hugging, cuddling, and simply being with 'mommy'. She was so cute stroking my face and saying "mommy, mommy, mwah!" I have never felt so loved. Our little man was wiggling and kicking (letting my know he was there) and I enjoyed just sitting there taking the time to enjoy this phase of pregnancy. He got the hiccups for the first time, at least that I have felt (Al used to get them all the time-it was the only time she moved in my belly) and it was so fun just watching my belly bop up and down with each hiccup! Russ made me dinner, took care of nap time, took us on a Sunday drive, and to the park where Aly enjoyed a little independence on the slide (check out the pics and video it is too cute!) He also spoke and sang in his mom's ward, went to work in the morning, conducted the ward choir, and taught sunday school! I know his day was incredibly busy and he still found the time and energy to show me just how much he cares. I am so lucky to have such a sweet husband! What an amazing day! I can't wait for next year!

Pictures from our visit to the park, during our drive Aly asked for 'up please' from her car seat so Russ took us to a park in Santa Clara. Alyse was so excited to have a slide she could go up and down all by herself (the slide at the park next door to us is WAY too steep for her to even think about it for a couple of years still!) She didn't want to leave and cried when it was time to get back in her car seat. I think we will be visiting this park again!

Here is video Russ took of Al going down the slide (for the millionth time) while I sat on the grassy hill and watched! It was so cute seeing them hang out together at the park, there is nothing cuter than a daddy taking care of his little girl, nothing!!! I could watch the two of them all day!