This is Hilary week. The week that contains both Mother's Day and my birthday. So the family has to be nice to me for the whole week. :)
Mother's Day Recap:
Brian rolled over, grabbed our clock and said "It's 7:45!" We usually try to leave for church at 8, which means having everyone up by 7. There were three kids to get fed, dressed and ready, and no, we didn't lay out their clothes the night before this week. By some miracle, we were out the door by 8:15 and made it to church on time. Granted, the poor children only had a graham cracker to sustain them until after the service, but we were on time! And to further extend the miracle, both of the big kids sat nicely through the whole service. Other than one potty trip for Hallie, we got to sit and enjoy the whole service without having to take the children out for correction. Another Mother's Day miracle, I assure you. Our church has a tradition of giving carnations to the moms on Mother's Day (big, beautiful ones, with several blooms on each stem). One family representative goes down to the front and brings the flower back to present to the mom. Last year Brian did it, but this year, Hallie was thrilled to be able to get my flower. She was so proud to bring it to me, and I have to admit, I was proud of the growth in her this past year that made her reliable for the task. It wouldn't have been possible last year, and this year, I am confident either of my older children could have been trusted.
After church, Brian directed the van to Fred Meyer, the only Seattle's Best Coffee location in town, and my current personal favorite. I took the baby (R) with me to get cards and gifts for my grandma (6 snapdragons) and my mom (well, ingredients anyway. She insisted what she wanted was homemade baking powder, so that's what I got her. I needed more baking soda to make it.) And Brian took the big kids to find gifts for me. Sam bought me a pretty pink azalea, and Hallie got me a dozen pink-tipped yellow roses. And Brian... he met me back at the car with an iced grande breve vanilla mocha with whip!
The next stop was Cascade Pizza for some baked chicken lasagna for lunch! Brian chose the restaurant not only because I love their lasagna (and he loves the veggie grinder with turkey), but because of their free spaghetti for kids! Unfortunately, these days that's only kids UNDER five. Bummer! There was only one of those with us. So the big kids shared a small sausage pizza.
When we got home, the kids gave me very sweet cards and bookmarks they'd made for me a few days before. I'd seen them cutting and pasting and heard them whispering. I heard just enough of the whispering to know they were working on cards for Mother's Day. They did a great job of tucking them away to give to me on the proper day!
The afternoon was spent mostly in the yard, enjoying the sunshine. Sam and I took a trip to Joe's Garden to get the rest of the plants needed for our garden, and I got those in the dirt just in time for the rain clouds to roll in. (I'll take pictures of the garden to blog soon... it's a bit different this year!)
For dinner that evening, Brian fed the kids, then got take-out from Olive Garden for the two of us, while we relaxed and watched a movie ("Then She Found Me", which is an adoption story of sorts, and was pretty good.)
The only thing I'd change is the hurried wake up... and getting that coffee much earlier in the day! But I can't and won't complain. It was a blessed day just how it was.
I was thrilled to hear about your observations of Hallie's growth from last year to this year. YAY! Fruit. You're already reaping a harvest for your diligence as a mama! Great job, Hilary!
Posted by: Stacy | 05/13/2009 at 12:03 AM