{I don't know how good I got it}

What a weekend! After I got over my very own pity party, I realized I have so many things to be thankful for...take that back. I have so many PEOPLE to be thankful for. Things are just that. Things. I suppose I take the people I'm closest to for granted, all too much.

My sweet mother (and father) gave me a book for Mother's Day titled "In Praise of Stay-At-Home-Moms" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger...you know, Dr. Laura. Honestly, my first thought was, "Geesh, Thanks Mom, are you trying to send 'subliminal' messages?" But that thought lasted only a moment when my husband asked if there was a sequel titled "In Praise of Stay-At-Home-Dad's". I was rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably. I'm so grateful for my mother, and her willingness to put her family first. I can hardly wait to get back into my growth-zone, of being a Stay-At-Home-Mom, and LOVING it!

I've devoured this book, and it has brought me back to Earth. If you need a pick-me-up, I encourage you to read this book. Dr. Laura in NO WAY puts down mothers who work, for whatever reason, but instead, she shares wonderful stories of those who have been there, done that, and ultimately are doing what I so badly want to be doing right now.

Okay, diverted train back on track, I am SO thankful for my loving husband this weekend. It was a rough and stressful weekend in our household (thanks, Stevie, for putting up with us), but together we made it through.

Just a few highlights:

• I taught my first class on eating on a budget, "Eating Healthy on the Cheap" and really, what I had to say could have been said in 5 minutes or less. However, I had to kick a dead horse for 40 minutes. That said, I think it went relatively well. (Why do we women have a tendancy to beat ourselves up?)
  
• We had plans to go visit my family for Mother's Day, but at the last minute decided we needed to show some tender loving care to a family member who so desperately needed to know she was loved.
• We had plans to go visit my family for Mother's Day, but at the last minute, felt prompted to stay for our own personal church meetings, not knowing exactly why (Ryan's calling is flexible, and mine is Scouts on Tuesdays...so why not go to church with my family or Ryan's?) ...We are SO glad that we heeded those promptings and were able to be at church to help out a friend who had a family emergency. We are also grateful that her Mother's Day wasn't totally ruined by a visit to the ER and that her daughter is doing well. (thanks, mom and dad, for being understanding.)
  
• Ryan's mom's kitchen is FINALLY in the FINISHING stages of remodeling. Let's just pause with that one, and take a big, deep breath.
• I was able to listen in on my little brother's phone call from Cambodia. What I mean is, I called my dad's cell phone, and he put it on speaker, next to the family phone, so my brother and I could talk, thousands of miles apart. He is one of my many heroes. We are all so thrilled and excited (He's never met our sister-in-law or our son, Taylor) to be able to see him return honorably from his 2-year LDS mission. I cried as he bore his testimony to us in Kamae, the Cambodian language which has been a struggle for him to learn. I'm like a proud mama...or sister. :)
  
• I have the most beautiful boys (husband included) in the WORLD! My darling, sweet, considerate, handsome, worthy, understanding, gentle, thoughtful, caring husband and father of our children, and our rambunctious sons. Man, I must'ive been doing SOMETHING right in May of 2003 to meet that man. ♥♥♥
• Our Children. Oh, how I miss them, and think of them in every meeting, during every class, and with every phone call I'm on. It's a wonder I get anything done at work. Despite the fact that I like my job (really, if I were forced to provide for our family, THIS is what I would do), I miss my children and husband terribly. I am looking forward to the day that my 'job' is done, and I can return to do the work that goes unnoticed, the work that is sometimes dreaded, and the work that only a mother can do...Love her children, no matter what.

A brother in our ward said it best on Sunday, when he said something like this, "Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's who have borne children, who are raising children, who have raised children and can enjoy their grandchildren, and especially those who cannot have children, but serve in Motherly roles as Sisters, Aunts, and Friends."

I love you, MOM!

__________

...in case you were wondering, once again, I made a hasty call, and I'm NOT going to go private at this time...thank you to all who showed support in the matter...you're on my 'list' should I make that decision again. :)