Mother's Day 2015

I had a simply wonderful Mother's Day.  Alfredo cooked both breakfast and dinner with help from the girls.  Alfredo bought me two beautiful blouses and a pair of shoes.  The girls made me cards and notes and small gifts at school, in Primary and in Activity Days.  They are such sweet girls.  

We played Clue together, the girls were helpful and played well with each other virtually all day.  We had dear friends over for dinner.  I had a nice visit with my mom on the phone.  It was a lovely day.

I am so grateful to be blessed with so many amazing women in my life.  The quote by Margaret Nadauld has been on my mind throughout this day:

Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.

I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by so many women who are kind, tender, refined, faithful, virtuous, and pure.  I was raised by one of the kindest, most patient, most forgiving, gentle women I have ever met.  My mom is intelligent.  She sews, plays the piano, works full time, serves faithfully in callings and always thinks of others first.  She rarely complains and is always a great listener.  Her faith is strong, and she is a wonderful grandmother.   I am so thankful for her.   I also have wonderful grandmas.  They have both passed away, but I was fortunate to have them both live into my adulthood.  My paternal grandma lived near us throughout my childhood and was an integral part of my life.  So much of who I am today I owe to these two great women.

My sisters Suzy and Becky, my mom and I ...taken 2009

My grandma Marj Bills holding my cousin's daughter and Michelle.

In addition to wonderful family members who have blessed my life in countless ways, I have so many other wonderful examples in my ward that are amazing mothers and faithful daughters of God.  I have dear friends of other faiths who also support me and help me to be a better mother. I have wonderful college roommates who I am still in touch with that inspire me.  I am so thankful for the countless ways that others touch my life and help me.

Of course, I am especially grateful for the three girls who have given me the privilege of becoming a Mother and for my husband.  They are my greatest gifts.  I make lots of mistakes, but they forgive me anyway.  I lose my patience, but they are patient with me.  Despite my imperfections,  they love me...and I love them more than I ever knew was possible.  Being a mother is hard but amazing, exhausting but exhilarating, the most challenging but most rewarding thing I have ever done.  So, so thankful.