Mamma Mia!

Last year for Mother's Day, I was on my own with all 6 kids.  Scott had already left to start his new job position at work while I stayed behind to finish out the last few weeks of the school year with the kids.  Those weeks were rough.  Not gonna lie.  I was so grateful last year for a dear friend who helped my kids plan a Mother's Day surprise for me -- complete with a homemade meal and award for Best Mom Ever -- and I was so grateful THIS year that my kids totally stepped up on their own!

I'm pretty sure Grace and Sophie were the spearheads behind the movement, but color me surprised and impressed when last Sunday rolled around and I was presented with a treasure trove of lovely gestures.  {And let the record show that having ZERO expectations for Mother's Day is the best way to go.}  Along with a painted "You Are Our Sunshine" picture resplendent in bright yellow handprint "sun rays," I was gifted with an hour's worth of quiet time to myself after church while they pulled everything together, and a piece de resistance gift in the form of a box filled with all of my favorite things.

As much as I loved the felt tip pens they bought me, and Grace's tongue-in-cheek gift of "Gracias" cards (since she knows I'm trying to re-learn Spanish), the thing that warmed my heart the most was the brand new journal they bought for me and then stuffed with notes from each of them, along with pictures and past Mother's Day cards that they dug up from their memory boxes in the garage.  They like me!  They really like me!!  Hahahahaha.

 Possibly the most validating thing I've ever read?  "...I just wanted to let you know that I love and appreciate you and your efforts regardless of what I say when I am in a bad mood..."  (-- Grace)

It was quite lovely to realize that not only do they actually love me, but they also know me really well, too.  It's going to be pretty tough for them to outdo themselves next year.  ;)

 Not to be left out -- Scott also knocked it out of the park with a pack of brand-new freshly sharpened pencils, along with a book and some cupcakes.  😍