12 on the 12th--May 2019 Edition

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1. Sunday mornings are especially rough for Whitney, she is dead to the world even with her room being bright and me making lots of noise.
2. Mother's day goodies on the counter.
3. Alium in bloom.
4. The lilacs did great this year, we can smell them from the front yard.
5. Mother's Day photos with the kids, always interesting
6. Ditto
7. Ditto
8. We had Randy and Ferris join us for this one.
9. I found this in my photos and thought it was kind of cool.
10. Gift cards from the family.
11. The books I'm reading, one for book club and one for fun.
12. Hunkering at the end of the day enjoying my cute toes.

Mother's Day Weekend

On Saturday evening we gathered at Lori's house (hence JoJo is in this picture) to celebrate with our mom.

We had shredded pork sandwiches, fruit, salad, chips and queso and Carmelitas for dessert.

Landon did homework upstairs and Whitney and the Maher girls played a game downstairs (Robyn's kids weren't there).

Robyn and her boyfriend came a little late, but her kids were with Jared.

Adam and Amy's girls all made cards for my mom, which was mighty sweet.

My mom cried when she opened the card I made for her (victory is mine).

Here's a better look.

After church on Sunday we braved the cold wind to take our traditional Mother's Day photos. Landon had already changed out of his church clothes so I had him put his shirt and tie back on, and I put on flip flops (I didn't wear those to church).

It is super difficult to get any sort of decent photo because of all the silliness involved.

More weirdness.

Can you see that Whitney is pretending to lick me, ew.

Pretty much we end up with a shot like this.

Landon grabbed my phone and took a bunch of pictures of the two of us, this is my best angle.

Things came to a screeching halt when we went inside and Whitney had me read this poem she wrote for me out loud. I know she was going for funny, but it pretty much crushed my soul. I ended up crying for a little while and then took a long nap. I'm not a fan of Mother's Day because there's just too much emotion going on for me.

Landon made me this Jimmy Fallon-theme card and wrote a bunch of thank yous to be read like Jimmy reads his thank you notes on the show.

Miscellany

Now that the weather is nicer lots of kids are riding their long boards to school; of course they don't fit in their lockers so we let them keep them in the nurses office...we don't love it.

This lovely ceramic project was found in the hall last week. I thought it was hilarious! I kept it on my desk for a little while before having an office aide deliver to the ceramics teacher.

Someone turned in this little notebook with the random musings of a 7th grade girl, too cute.

My visiting teacher gave me this bookmark as a little boost during last week's camp stress.

Bookclub gathered Friday night to celebrate Jana's birthday.

The YW sold corsages for Mother's Day so I had a whole lot of orchids at my house for day.

Dandelions are pretty right?

Michelle and I met for lunch and pedicures on Saturday! It was an unexpected treat (i.e., I sent a text in the morning and things actually worked out) and made Mother's Day weekend great.

Whitney had her last soccer game of the season and the best thing about it was the cat on a leash sitting next to me.

Our family gathered to celebrate Mother's Day and Adam entertained us as usual.

12 on the 12th--May Edition

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1. Landon working on his Eagle Project paper work.
2. Our lilacs are in bloom and smelling wonderful!
3. Whitney reading by choice!
4. Randy putting cinnamon rolls and bacon in the oven.
5. Perusing the Conference issue of the Ensign.
6. Counting the money from our Camp Fundraiser (we sold corsages).
7. Landon wrote about on Facebook.
8. Church.
9. I changed my blog banner and background color.
10. Mother's Day photos.
11. Reading in the cozy.
12. Surivor finale!

Mother's Day Rewind

On Saturday evening everyone gathered at our house (except my dad and Andrew) for a Mother's Day celebration. Lori and my mom had gone to a Quilt Expo most of the afternoon, then came here to meet up with the rest of us.


We gave her our gifts and talked for a bit (Adam had a headache and his eyes were bothering him, hence the sunglasses indoors).


Adam made this hilarious card for my mom which lovingly mocked her habit of sending us all kinds of inflammatory and crazy emails. (click to enlarge it)

We had to explain Adam's card to her.

But then she saw why it was so funny.

I gave her this framed notice regarding the Relief Society (which I bought at the downtown Deseret Book), which felt especially fitting for her since she's currently serving as the Relief Society President in her ward.


We had Randy take a photo of us together before we went out, and oh my goodness this should be my "before" photo.


We went to California Pizza Kitchen (it was my mom and Amy's first time going there) for a tasty dinner.


Robyn was freezing, so she put on my mom's hoodie and then modeled the very short sleeves for us.

We got these scrumptious, yet small desserts.

It was nice to go out with just the girls because it was a different dynamic and felt like a treat. I think this should be our new tradition.
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Sunday--Mother's Day

I do believe this was my most, non-mental Mother's Day so far! It helped that we celebrated with my mom the day before and that I actually had a gift for her that I was excited about, but really I was in good form this year.

I just found this video on my camera today.

They woke me up (at 9:30) with breakfast in bed, and had wisely brought my camera with them.


The kids both made cute cards for me and had gifts they'd made at school. Randy gave me 2 (woohoo) gift certificates for pedicures! They also made me this breakfast of champions.

Whitney's card included this removable award.

Whitney also made me a coupon book at Activity Days which includes coupons for a hug, an uninterrupted bubble bath, a foot rub, a back rub and a breakfast. She also made me (at school) a cute key chain with a #1 mom charm hanging from it.


Landon made this nice, standing picture gift at school. I can't even tell you how thrilled I am that he's NOT wearing shorts or his BYU or Michigan shirt in this picture!!!


I found this sweet poem Landon wrote for me sitting next to the computer keyboard (where he knew I'd see it!).


Landon typed up this sweet message to put into our typewriter. He sure knows how to boost my ego.


It's our tradition to take pictures for Mother's Day and Father's Day after church.


We never know what level of cooperation we're going to get with the kids, so we've had a wide range of expressions over the years.


This year Whitney looked scruncheled and silly in most of the pictures.

This was Landon's most cooperative year so far.

A rare, artsy shot by Randy.

Ahhh a sincere smile from this crazy girl of mine!

It was a good day for us both at home and at church. I am thankful to be a mother, feel the weight of this responsibility but feel committed and hopeful about it.

**How was your Mother's Day?
What would be a good gift for you?**

Comment Window Tidbit: Today is the 12th and I forgot until I saw Amy's blog this morning. I hope you're all documenting your day for 12 on the 12th!

Sunday Thoughts

One of the biggest things I took away from Women's Conference this year was a renewed desire and commitment to be a better mother. Being a mother is serious business, and I can't imagine anyone seriously thinking otherwise, because as mothers we have the ability to make or break our kids' spirits, direct their paths, guide their minds and hearts, and largely influence what sort of person they will be. Granted, there is a whole lot out of our control despite our best efforts, but what I see more and more it that motherhood does indeed take conscious effort.



Here are some of my notes on this subject:

• Be vigilant about spontaneous teaching opportunities with your kids.
• Share your testimony while working together in the yard and in the house, those lessons are memorable.
• Testimonies begin with those spontaneous moments of expressing gratitude.
• Our journey will involve sorrow, afflictions and indescribable joy.
• We must know who we are and that we were valiant spirits saved to come to earth at this time.
• We should lead, guide and enforce the rules.
• Have the courage to tell your children "NO!".
• Think about what your children are learning from you.
• Do we model modesty?
• We can change the world by changing our hearts and our homes.
• We build ourselves incrementally.
• Teach your children repentance so they don't think all is lost when they make a mistake.
• Make sure your children know that you love being their mother. (I did this last week during Family Home Evening and found it quite touching and liberating.)
• All that we do is worth it!
• Being the keeper and creator of our homes is a precious gift.
• It is a child's natural instinct to imitate their mother.
• As mothers we pass on our attitudes and skills to our children.
• A mother's example and training lasts a lifetime.
• Satan can't replace a mother's influence.
• How do you feel about your children imitating your example?
• We should teach our children to love God.
• We must teach our children values, rules and absolutes.
• Angels can guide us and protect us in our role as mothers.
• Prayer is an important part of being a mother. Our children need more prayers to help them face the world.
• Lovingly teach your children respect, obedience and work.
• Work with your kids to teach them to love it.
• We are entitled to receive revelation on behalf of our children.
• We should listen for promptings about them.
• Cultivate righteous habits at home.
• Stay close to the Spirit so we can hear promptings and receive guidance as mothers.
• Motherhood requires laser-like focus.

Happy Mother's Day!!

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: I taught the 3 year olds today in primary, oh my goodness, I have a new appreciation for those teachers who do that every week!