Mother's Day

I love, love, love being a Mother.  I love my children who bring me so much happiness and joy.  I love the way Motherhood stretches me beyond my capacity and causes me to grow in ways I never could have imagined.  I love how just when I feel like I've reached my breaking point, I feel a miracle happen as heavenly help comes and lifts me up and carries me through.  I love being part of the miracle of forgiveness, for when I mess up, the quick and heartfelt forgiveness that comes from my family amazes me.  I love the laughter we share in a family.  I love the fun times we have together.  I love the bonds that we share.  I love snuggling with my children, kissing them goodnight and hearing them tell me they love me.  I LOVE being a mother--their mother.

On Mother's Day, though, although I appreciate all the sweet things my children and husband do for me, I love the time to honor my mom as well.  She is a wonderful, beautiful person who is everything someone could hope for in a Mother.  I feel her influence daily as I raise my children and apply the values she instilled in me as a child that have continued to shape and guide my life.  I think about the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever."  I can only speak for myself, but I hope my mom knows how much I believe these words and am so grateful for her living her life with faith in every footstep.  

This Mother's Day was destined to be a difficult one for all of us, but most especially for my mom.  Mother's Day marked one month to the day since her Mother, my sweet Grandmother, returned Home.  Mother's Day takes on a different meaning when your Mom is in Heaven.  So there was sadness, but also gratitude for the life my Grandma lived and the love she shared. 

So with those things in mind, I had begun thinking about what gift I might be able to give to my Mom.  And in one of those little moments of inspiration, I knew the perfect gift.  Several years ago, my grandma gave me a quilt top she had made years before.  She had made quite a few quilts in her lifetime and this was one of the last tops she had made.  She knew she wasn't going to ever put it together into a quilt, but she knew I enjoyed sewing and had even made a quilt on occasion, so she gave it to me to put together.  But small children and a  busy life left me putting the project on hold.  Until this year.  

So after picking a cute fabric to go with the top, and putting the whole thing together, I finally had it ready for my Mom's Mother's Day gift.  A quilt sewn with love by her Mother and her Daughter.

 So here was the big reveal, as my mom pulled the blanket out of the bag.  ( I know she will hate these pictures, as she tries to avoid being photographed like the plague.  But she's my mom and I think she's beautiful no matter what.  And since I've had more than my fair share of pictures taken of me with a mouthful of food or a 9-month pregnancy picture taken at the beach from behind, I'm pretty sure we can consider us even. :))

Cory and I wondered if she'd recognize the quilt top when she saw it and we both felt like she would.  I think its safe to say we were right. :)

 It was a blessing for me to be a part of putting this gift together.  I love you, Mama.  Happy Mother's Day.

And my awesome brother, Ethan, used his amazing art skills and made an beautiful picture of my Grandma using words and quotes that describe her.

Yes, simply amazing. 

 I don't think in just one day or with just one gift you can adequately say "Thank You" for the love of a wonderful Mother.  So I hope that she knows, not just on this day, but everyday, how much we love her.