Mother's Day Hike

I apologize because May's posts have been all over the place.  I know it has driven those of you (like myself), who appreciate how nicely the whole chronological order thing works, crazy.  But alas, the month of May has been all out of order and  rhythm on here.  So much like real life. 

But we press on.  And back it up two weeks to Mother's Day. 

If you are going to keep in sync with one thing in the month, it should be Mother's Day, right?  Actually, the blog is not a true representation of that, because I was blessed to spend the weekend before Mother's Day with my wonderful mother-in-law, the weekend after Mother's Day with my amazing mother, and actual Mother's Day with some other pretty awesome moms.  So, everything was covered and good and one of the best parts was that I got to spend much of the day out in the woods, with MY BOYS.

When Mother's Day is just around the bend, I often forget that now, I am the mother, too.  I spend a lot of time leading up to the day thinking of ways to honor my mom and the other moms in my life and sometimes I forget that now, people actually make a fuss about me on that day, too.  Oh, I LOVE being a mom!  Love it!  It was not something I chose on my own, but an incredible gift that was given to me.  And those are the best gifts. I was probably too selfish to have chosen the role on my own, but God knows exactly what we need, when we need it, and so wonderfully lavishes it on us.  He knows our true hearts, even if we don't.  For that, I am the most grateful.  Most, most grateful!

I know Eric will probably laugh when he reads this, because I have been feeling a little overwhelmed in the mommy department lately.  And his has been the ear for which my venting has fallen upon.  I like to think that he knows my true heart, too, and that even on my hardest of mommy days, there is truly no other role I was made for.

Besides being Eric's wife, being Caleb and Sethie's momma is my greatest joy! 

Even though I knew I would see her the next weekend, I still missed not being with my mom on Mother's Day.  But it was still a really special day! I woke up to breakfast made just for me.  Caleb even cut my strawberries into hearts.  Then came the gifts and homemade cards. I can never get enough of the boys' cards and drawings. Really.  Keep them coming!  I also love how Eric knows me so well and really gets me.  And in the process, he still likes me.  I really am one of those people who actually means it when I say, please don't get me any thing fancy or froo froo.  At least during this season of life.  Please spend your money on something I will use.  Like on a daily basis.  I do like flowers, though, even if they do die.  But I am just as satisfied with the $5 bunch of roses from Wal-mart as I would be with the $50 bunch from wherever.  Actually more satisfied, because I know that our budget isn't taking a big hit.  I am frugile to a fault, which I think must make gift buying difficult or maybe it makes it really easy.  But Eric ALWAYS does good.  Real good.  This Mother's Day, I was gifted with new shower faucets in BOTH showers.  Woo Hoo!  And a really, really cool spice organizer.  Thanks Honey!  And Boys. 

After breakfast and a little serenade by Caleb (Seth was just not feeling it), we were off to church and then small group, where all of the hubbies brought their wives' favorite snacks.  Eric nailed it again.  He showed up with tiramisu, which brought laughter from some of my friends.  Tiramisu?  A snack?  Why, yes, it is.  And it was very tasty.  I don't kid around about snacking, as many of you know. 

Then it was on to Radnor Lake with the McLaughlins and Durhams.  It was an absolutely beautiful day and I couldn't think of anything else I would have rather done than hike the day away with some of my favorite people. 

One of which was a brand new mommy herself, Sami.  Oooh, that Liam is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen (aside from my own cuties).  He did very well on his first hike nestled up against his Grammy (and our Tante). 

And we had a great time walking the trails, climbing on old trees, and even seeing a few deer.  Luckily, the hike took place before the cicada invasion, so we didn't have any of the red eyed creatures flying into our heads during the trip. 

The boys even got an impromptu guitar lesson when we stumbled across some musicians along the trail. 

Early on in the hike, Seth found an interesting mushroom that he becme very fond of.  The fact that we wanted him to get rid of it only made him want it more.  However, when he discovered that if he was going to take the fungus home (which he was very determined to do..at first), he would have to be the one keeping up with all day, he soon lost interest in it and pitched it.

The day ended with my boys taking me out to Chuy's for dinner.  YUM!  The only actual demand request I had for Mother's Day was to not have to cook and my boys made good on that.  I even devoured three bowls or their salsa, which I love, in honor of the day.  And since I am the only one in this family who eats salsa, I can't deny that I did all of the devouring.

It was a good day!  Praise Jesus for moms!  And for the little ones who call us mom!