Mother's Day....

It's funny how Mother's Day changes. When I was young, it meant being really well behaved and making my mom breakfast. Later...maybe in my early 20's, it meant more. I started to realize that some of those awful rules and punishments may really have been for my own good ;)

On my first Mother's Day as a mommy, it was kind of fun but still seemed to be about my own mom. Now, it is such a mix of emotions. I have such a respect and love for my own mother - I have always respected and loved my mother but this is different. A new found understanding of what life is really all about. It really is hard to put into words. It's crazy to finally "get" just how much my own mom loves me and all of the sacrifices she's made for me. All I can think is "WOW, what an amazing woman she is!" Our lives have not been easy, our family has bounced up and down with personal and health issues through the years but there has never been a question of love. Never.

I want to be more like my own mom. I want Ayla to remember going to the movies on a random Wednesday night and having popcorn for dinner. I want her to laugh when she sees pictures from "back in the day" when I pushed her and her sibling up a huge hill in a wheelbarrow(we were NOT small kids). I want her to remember family vacations. When she gets older, I want her to realize what a labor of love being a mother is. No doubt, this is the hardest job I've ever had in my life but nothing could be better.

Today has been an amazing day. We met my parents at church and then had brunch reservations at the Prestige(YUM). Ayla got to give my mom {insert gift here, but later Grandma Carol hasn't gotten hers yet} she was very excited about it. Darren, Ayla and I hung out at home. Ayla and I napped together and I loved having her snuggle right in, she fits me perfectly. I'm certain that God does that on purpose. I got great presents and gorgeous flowers from Darren and Ayla, but really, they don't even matter. I just love being a mom and having a fantastic husband. I am blessed.

Darren snapped a couple of shots of Ayla and I before naptime. The sun was in our eyes and Ayla was being silly but I love them anyway....me and my little miracle.