Mother's Day Bad Attitude

I have been trying to convince myself that it was okay that I didn't post about Mother's Day, but I now realize that I was just having a pity party for myself...and it needs to stop NOW!! So, I will get it off my chest and BURY IT!

Paul is such a great husband and he does so much for me and our family. That said, I guess everyone of us deserves to "miss the mark" sometimes. I was eagerly anticipating a sleep in Sunday morning (Max and Nora get up about 5:45am). Of course I tried my best to pretend I didn't hear Max in our room asking (loudly) if I could come downstairs and make him some chocolate milk. (I have relieved myself of any guilt about morning and evening chocolate milk by mixing the Ovaltine with chocolate protein powder)

When I realized that Paul really wasn't going to get up, I rolled out of bed, put on my flip-flops, and headed downstairs to get the routine chocolate milk and the "Moses show." (The prince of Egypt - a great show for kids and adults - a Sunday pleaser - great soundtrack) The kids got up one by one and by 8:30 were starving. Begrudgingly I got them cold cereal. We RARELY have cold cereal. Not because I don't like it, I actually love it at about 9:00pm. My kids just happen to love eggs, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, cream of wheat, toast, bagels, etc.

Anyway, I didn't feel the need to put myself out. At about 9:00am I decide to call my sweet Mom since she was leaving for Florida later that day. (More about my wonderful mother after this story) I think Paul may have heard me wish her a Happy Mothers Day, because he wandered down the stairs just seconds after I hung up the phone. He proceeded to give me a very cute face and give me my Mother's day gift (in a Christmas bag I had saved in the guest room).

It is a new heart rate monitor. Mine went "ka-put" a while ago and I just haven't prioritized getting a new one. I do love it, and hopefully will do it justice and wear it out too! I guess you could guess the rest, but it didn't get much better. Sunday is always crazy getting everyone ready, and trying to maneuver naps - or lack thereof. I did myself a big favor and when we got home from church I put the two little ones down for a nap and then went straight to my room and took a nap for 2 hours. It was SO GREAT!! I figured Paul would guess what I was up to eventually. Dinner was whatever the kids could scrounge up because again...I wasn't going to put myself out. So, I need to remember again to LOWER MY EXPECTATIONS. I also want to say one more time that although he dropped the ball BIG TIME this year, Paul is the best and I wouldn't trade him for ANYONE... NO KIDDING!!

This is a picture of my Mother in EXACTLY the same stage as I am right now. She is holding my brother Brian who was number four in five years. He is about the same age in this picture as my youngest is now. She went on to have two more (thank goodness...I'm #6), she is a better woman than I am!

Now, the real reason I was feeling guilty for not posting on Mother's Day....my wonderful, joyful, happy, positive, friendly, outgoing, loving, spiritual, compassionate, giving, beautiful, practically perfect Mother Helen Ward Poelman. How I was so blessed to have her as my Mother I will never understand. She is with me everyday as I wonder what she would do in my situation. I am not half the Mom of little kids she was, but I am trying to improve everyday. I love you Mom. I also have the love and support of Paul's wonderful Mother Mary. She cares so deeply for her family, and everything she does is with the goal of improving every one's situation. She gives, and gives, and rarely thinks of herself. With the examples of these two Mom's in my life I feel like I can handle anything (at least that's what I'm telling myself). Right here is a great place to pass on my new favorite quote. I found it hanging in my cousins house along with a picture of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley who said:

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us...If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

I know that's not a Mother's day quote, but I think it brings comfort to all Mother's in any stage. Finally, I will sign off with a few quick notes about how grateful I am to be a mother. There is nothing more important to me than my family. The kids that I have been given are so amazing and bring me more joy, pain, wonder, excitement, growth, introspection, and LOVE than I could ever imagine. I love being a Mother!