Mother's Day 2017

Mother's Day was lovely this year.  Church was nice, and all the ladies were given a beautiful rose and a little Toblerone chocolate bar.  Afterward, as I was waiting on the couch for my family so we could leave Cadence came running towards me holding a present she'd made for me at nursery.  She wouldn't let her dad help her carry it and she had the biggest smile on her face.  She was so proud and excited to give it to me.

I can't wait to frame it and hang it in our home.  I love it!!

When we got home from church, the boys insisted I sit in my favorite spot on the couch.  They got me a drink and a snack and found me a show to watch.  Ashton made me a buzzer so I could get their attention whenever I needed anything.

They also got me a cute clock for my music room, and a Doris Day, Rock Hudson movie - love!!  Bowen made me a cute card with a poem he wrote, it goes:

I love this lady named mum.

She is so wonderfully fun

She's texting her sister,

who's such a good listener.

I can't believe she is my MUM.

It was so nice to have a relaxing afternoon.  I even fit in a little nap while Jason and the boys prepared dinner.  When Jason makes me dinner I always know I'm in for a treat.

Bowen set the table like a fancy restaurant and before I knew it I was being served a delicious dinner.

First course - crab salad canapes with smoked paprika.  Jason has made these for me before - one of my favorites!

Second course - Caesar salad.  Jason makes a delicious homemade caesar salad dressing.

Third course - Carrot soup.  This was so delicious - I could have eaten the whole pot.

The wait staff was just excellent.  Bowen would kiss me everytime he'd come over to the table.  I told him I was going to have to speak to management about the sexual harassment I was experiencing at this restaurant.  He laughed and said "but you're my mom".  I hope he never gets too old to kiss me!

Main course - steak with mushroom reduction, rice pilaf, asparagus, and roasted pear and onion.  It was superb!

Cadence was originally going to help serve but she decided she'd rather eat.  I can't say I blame her.

Her favorite was the crab salad.

Dessert - vanilla pudding, strawberry, and chocolate ganache parfait topped with whipped cream and a chocolate strawberry.  I was so full but still managed to finish it - I couldn't help it, so yummy!

I have an amazing husband to pull off such wonderful surprises for me.  Even amidst a small disaster.  As he was preparing dinner he was taking a plate away from Cadence and his hand was a bit wet and it slipped from his fingers and the pyrex plate shattered into a million pieces all over our island and floor.  He even had to throw away food that was on the island.

I missed seeing my mom on Mother's Day, but I hope she knows how much I love her and what she means to me.  

I am so grateful to be a mom.  It is all I ever really wanted - to be a wife and mother.  I will never take for granted what a miracle my children are (including Kenneth).  I am so blessed!  

Shrek Jr the Musical

Bowen is a natural performer.  He loves to sing and play instruments.  He loves being on stage.  Several months ago it was announced at school that they would be having auditions for the school play.  They were going to be putting on "Shrek Jr the Musical".  Bowen decided to audition and was given the part of Peter Pan.

Bowen went to rehearsals 2 - 3 times per week from November until last week. He didn't complain once.  Finally the week of performances arrived.  He had an evening performance on Monday night (which I went to), and then a day performance for the school on Tuesday, and then his final performance was last night.

Bowen's grandparents and Uncle Mitch came up for the performance.  They all came early to our house for a supper of homemade salmon soup and buns and then we headed over to the school.  It was a really cute play.  The kids had worked so hard and did a great job.  Bowen has a great voice and the few solo lines he had were right on pitch. He had a couple group dance numbers and a few spoken lines as well.  He did an awesome job.

We went for blizzards after to celebrate.  This has been such a great experience for Bowen.  He loved rehearsals and the performances and is already excited to audition for next years play.

Well done Bowen, we're proud of you!!

9 Years

Tuesday, May 2nd was the 9th Anniversary of the stillbirth of our little baby boy Kenneth David.  I can't even fathom that it has been 9 years already.  The details of that day are still vivid in my mind.  Tuesday was a good day.  I can think of Kenny now and not have the same level of sadness.  Of course, I wish he was here with us, but I know he is safe and waiting until we can all be together again.  I'm grateful family and friends acknowledge him and are so supportive to our family.  I've done a lot of healing in the last few years.  Being able to have another child has helped me a lot.  Not only to have Cadence in our family which is a huge blessing, but I always kind of blamed myself for Kenny's chromosomal problems.  Having Cadence has lifted that guilt.  Knowing it was just one of those things, sometimes problems happen and it is no one's fault.  I know that we were meant to have Kenny and to go through this loss.  It has taught me many things that I am grateful for.  This experience has brought us closer as a family and for me personally has brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior.  What a sweet reunion we will have someday.  Momma loves you baby boy!!