Happy Mothers Day

Whether they're happy or sad, I am so thankful for these 2 beautiful boys that make me a mom!!

We've been wanting to go camping before we send all of our stuff with John's mom next week, but with John's finals and me going to NYC last week, graduation this week, moving boxes and junk every where, garage sale, Jonah wasn't feeling well... we decided we're running out of time. So, for dessert on this beautiful mother's day, we just roasted smores on our propane grill.

I just wanted to write a little about what makes my life so great as a mom!!

Darling, observant, hilarious Jack. Who keeps me laughing and loving 3 year old boys more and more every day. Who challenges me to be patient because of his constant questions, demanding answers, and his strong willed and independent "I want to do everything by myself" stage. He has a very strong drive to be in control over most situations (especially when surrounded by other kids his age) and is very particular about how he wants his shoes tied.

I love his attention to detail. He listens very intently with any explanation I have to offer. You can see the wheels in his head turn as his soccer coach tells him the details of a specific drill, then he goes forth doing the drill perfectly based on what she has told him.

I love Jack's attention to detail in combination with his bluntness. Telling me "Mom, I don't like your toes painted blue. Will you paint them red like Ethan's mommy?" What 3 year old notices his friend's mom's toe nails?? AND cares enough about them to tell ME that he doesn't like mine? Silly Jack.

Jack loves to greet and leave everyone with a hug. As his friends are walking down the sidewalk to go home he yells out our front door, "Wait... I need a HUG!!!" The continues to squeeze them so tightly around the neck that their little eyes look up at me and say, "Help!!"

He is stinkin smart. Too smart for me to handle sometimes! He was choosing M&M's out of our candy dish and I told him he could choose 3 because he was 3 years old. He looked up at me with 5 M&M's in his pudgy little hand and said, "But Mom, someday I will be 5!"

I love that Jack calls me "Beautiful Momma" (and I do give his Daddy credit for that one). For example, "So Beautiful Momma, when is dinner gonna be ready?" I love my Jackers!!

Sweet, Happy, Loving Jonah. Jonah is the happiest little boy. He has been smiling since he was 5 days old. His wide, open mouth smile would greet any figure willing to look at him for 1/2 a second and his entire body would leap to any open arms. He loves to pat me on the back when I pick him up out of his crib. He's an excellent sleeper, has always slept on his tummy, and finally slept through the night at about 11 months old (4 months before Jack slept through the night). Jonah giggles and lunges forward with a wide open mouth anytime I tell him "Give mommy kisses".

He wants so badly to be like his big brother. He follows him around all day in hopes that Jack will share just one shiny little car with him. When Jack does (after some convincing and persuading on my end) Jonah clutches it tightly in his hand and beams with gratitude.

His first word/sound was "Momma" and whenever the front door opens he runs as fast as he can toward it and says, "Bah bah" (bye bye). He LOVES to give high fives and will eat anything I put in front of him (except meat, which he chews and chews, but inevitably eventually spits out). His 100% go to thing if all else fails is a bottle. He LOVES his bottle and his entire body rocks back and forth and grunts until I hand it to him.

Believe it or not, this little boy can throw a mean temper tantrum! It is set off when he doesn't get his way, or a toy is taken away from him. It usually happens when he's extremely tired or bugged by older brother Jack, but he will throw his head back, lay completely sprawled out on the floor, bury his head into the ground and cry. I can't help but laugh sometimes... he's pretty cute when he's doing it.

He was 100% a momma's boy until I left him for the first time last weekend and went to NYC. Jonah has since then fallen in love with his daddy and John is THRILLED!! Jonah has the best facial expressions and always keeps us laughing. I LOVE my Jonah Bug!!

I'm also thankful for MY mothers in my life. First of all for my wonderful mother in law, Suzanne. She has taken me in as another daughter and I am so thankful to know that I can count on her for anything. She has raised such a wonderful son and for that, I am eternally grateful. Since John was a little boy she has instilled in him the importance of respect, manners, and hard work. John knows how to treat a lady and appreciates good cooking! Suzanne LOVES her grandsons and would do anything for them. She has come after each of their births to care for me and baby, provide meals, take little ones when I needed sleep (sun up OR down). When I married into this family, she welcomed me so graciously with open arms. The past 5 years Suzanne has introduced me to fun new sewing crafts (bought me my first sewing machine), delicious recipes (sweet chili), and an appreciation for books/reading and for nature! Her love for the out doors has brought us on many memorable family camping trips and adventures. Thank you Mom Gochnour for being such a wonderful mother-in-law to me and a wonderful mother to your son. I love you!!

Last but not least, I am thankful for my mom. I love when people say I look like my mom! That is a HUGE compliment and I hope I look half as good as she does when I'm her age. She is loving, thoughtful and genuine. Her discipline is inspiring. Waking up at 4:45AM, 5 days a week, for YEARS on end has been not only a good example of discipline, but of good health. She has taught me how to make bread (gave me my Bosch & wheat grinder) and how cook with lots of veggies (in way my husband and kids will like them). She would give up anything for her children to be happy. She amazes me at how much she can get done in one hour. She never wastes time and is constantly looking for ways to serve others and come closer to Christ. She has taught me so much about the scriptures, life, and mothering. The assortment of books in her library on strengthening family relationships, rearing children with love, and coming closer to Christ, testifies to me not only the importance of educating our minds, but filling them the most important things. She truly lived, "Teach your children correct principles, then let them govern themselves". I'm grateful the confidence she secured in me by trusting me from a very young age. I am thankful for her giving heart, her love for her children and her trust in the Lord. I am so thankful for my mom. I love you!!

Happy Mother Day everyone!! Whether you're a mother or not, thank you for the positive influence you have had on my children.