Happy Mother's Day

I had a beautiful day of being celebrated. Brian did a wonderful job preparing a special day for me with our kids. I woke up to a big breakfast of fried eggs, cinnamon rolls, bacon, raspberries, coffee, and mimosas. The kids were so excited to give me the cards that they had decorated for me and Brian read me a sweet interview by the kids. He asked them the same questions separately and then recorded their answers for me. It was sweet and super funny to read their responses! I love being their mama. 

We watched our church sermon online and there was a surprise for me! Our Kids Ministry Pastor Jeff Zaugg, is good friends with Brian and he asked him and other dads to record videos of their kids saying what they love about their moms for Mother's Day. It was fun to see my kids sharing what they love about me. 

This Mother's Day was bittersweet for me for the first time. In the past I have always loved celebrating Mother's Day with my amazing mother. For many years my sisters and I would treat mom to Caribou Coffee and pedicures at the nail salon. I am so incredibly thankful for all of the time I did have with my mom and for all of the beautiful memories that I will have of her forever. I know that her legacy will always live on in me. I am the kind of mother that I am because of all of the love that she poured into me all those years. I am so thankful that I have hope that I will get to see her in person again. I love her forever and I am so blessed to have had the best mom ever. 

My sisters came over yesterday afternoon and we painted our nails in honor of mom. It was so helpful to be together for the afternoon.

Brian ordered a Mother's Day special bundle dinner from T-Box and it was delicious! It was great to have a day off from cooking and cleaning!

Last night Brian and I showed the kids one of our all time favorite movies for the first time, The Princess Bride. We skipped the scarier parts. They loved it and it was fun for us to see a movie we have not watched in years. I love our sweet family time together. 

Greta wanted us to wear our matching headbands.

Daddy got Greta down for a nap. I love watching my kids sleep. They are the sweetest!

Beginning of May

It had been over three years since we had given the boys their bikes and they had outgrew them. We surprised the boys with new bikes and they are excited to have new ones that fit them. Greta got her bike just last summer. It has been fun going on bikes rides with the kids. I am thankful that we have the cul-de-sac for the kids to ride around safely. 

Greta loves making pictures for our family and for her friends. 

Bedtime, she looks so cozy.

I have been baking a bunch since we have been sheltering at home and I do not think the kids mind.

 The boys being themselves.

Eli and his friend Luke have been writing letters to each other. 

The kids caught their first turtle! I am glad they are growing up like I did by woods and ponds to explore. 

They love to create habitats for their creatures.

My sweet Greta girl.

Asa caught a big bass!

Greta is a beautiful artist. 

The other day the boys were playing in the woods and they came running into the house. They were calling excitingly for me and they were thrilled to give me these pretty marsh daffodils. They are so sweet.

The kids found a baby turtle the size of a quarter!

Our kids love to play with the Wellmans. We are so blessed to have them right next door! 

Greta and Nels are best friends. They remind me of Mom and her best friend when she was a little girl, her neighbor friend David. Greta told me that she and Nels pretend to be a Mom and Dad. They play so well together!

Asa playing with Lyida. 

Eli and Hans are great buddies.

Greta and Nels playing house together. 

Yesterday I received through the mail our science and history curriculum for next school year. I am excited! The kids saw it and asked if we could start now!

Greta makes the sweetest cards for me.

Greta and I flying a kite together.