Mother's Day 2025

Mother's Day is not a favorite day of mine, but I've grown to be okay with it by realizing it's a chance to thank my own mother for all she's done for me. Lowered expectations that my children will suddenly be super kind and not fight the entire day in honor of me has also helped. However, they did try. And of course, all their sweet gifts and cards made me feel loved. Michael let me have the entire afternoon to myself while he took the boys out on visits to ministering families delivering flowers.

The yearly display. The items have grown so much that I can only put out a sampling each year.

Clayton had a special program to share with moms--he sang with his class and was such a cutie.

Mmm-mm, eating peanut butter pie together at Jimmy Madison's the night before mother's day was definitely a highlight.

I feel so honored that Benjy feels I am really good at driving. 

Beautiful tulips from Michael along with a yummy omelet.

Henry's sweet bouquet.

Robbie informed me I was a true member of the Church... (maybe my teaching seminary brought that up?)

He also made me a heart . . . 

. . . of gold.

And watching Michael play with the boys on the trampoline while I wrote in my bullet journal finished the day off well.

What a blessing my own mother (and mother-in-law) is to me--I hope I can be the same for my children. Because it sure is a hard job, one that I'm completely inadequate and over my head to fulfill. Definitely feeling overwhelmed these days. But I'm trying to focus on the Savior's ability to help me and trying to forgive myself. It's easy to correct my kids when they demean themselves and try to help them re-frame negative thoughts, but within my own mind it's super tough for me to convince myself that my negative thoughts aren't necessarily truth. Definitely the quest of a lifetime for me.