Courtney's 14th Birthday Party

GIRLS MOVIE AND GAME NIGHT

Courtney and a friend of hers wanted to throw a double birthday party.

So we got this theatre and game place to have their party.

1st they all settled down and watched... NEW MOON.

It was hilarious to listen to 25 girls swoon over Jacob and Edward. I thought only grown women did that!

Then we got pizza for them. You would have thought they were a bunch of teenage boys the way they ate.

After the movie and pizza they played a Wii game "Just Dance". The girls had a blast dancing to the songs and trying to time their dance moves. I don't know who had more fun... the girls or the parents watching the girls have the time of their life.

While they were all dancing Cameron got the opportunity to do the vacuuming and in all the pictures that I have of the girls doing their dances you can see Cameron in the background. If I didn't know better I would have thought he thought he was a ghostbuster!

I can't believe that Courtney is 14... time sure does fly! She is growing up into a gorgeous girl. I am proud to call her my daughter!

I LOVE YOU COURTNEY!!!

Motherhood...by Melissa

I came across his little poem just after I had Aiden, and I cried and cried! I have it hanging in my bathroom...just to remind me just how lukcy I am!

Aiden is my life now, and I have only come to realize more just how much a mother loves her children. Sometimes I find myself getting frusterated with things....and he will be testing my absolute limits, and I remember just how much I loved him; even before he was born. Now that he is older....and starting to sass....I have those frusterating times more and more....but I woulnd't trade it for ANYTHING!

Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

Motherhood....by Amy

A Second Time...

I've been wanting to post about giving birth to our second baby!

I'm amazed that I just typed the words "giving birth". Why you ask? Well, after delivering Drew via c-section I never really felt like I had "given birth". Yes, I carried the child for 9 months (well maybe 8), I suffered all the pains and joys of pregnancy woes, but I never got to "push" the baby out! So therefore, I've felt like I never really gave birth to him...some of you may agree and some of you may think I'm crazy! You can let me know your opinion on the matter if you want....:)
(Picture of Drew)

Well, this time around I was determined to watch the entire c-section...well, let me back up. My plan was to actually birth this child v-bac. But this sweet little thing decided to turn breech and was not going to budge on the subject. Also, with my previous c-section and the fact that I'm diabetic put my pregnancy full term at 37 weeks, so they couldn't induce me. Medically I would have to go into labor on my own...at 37/38 weeks....yeah right!! So hence the 2nd c-section was scheduled! Ok, so now back to me being determined to watch the procedure....I always wondered why they draped the blue cloth at my neck and everything happening from there down seemed quite the mystery, so I asked Dr. L if I could watch, you know, not hang the sheet?!! He said I COULD watch but was a little hesitant. My nurse who was listening suggested, if it was alright with Dr. L that they could bring in a mirror!! Dr. L agreed and said that was ok!! I was so excited...I was going to watch my baby be born!! I was going to really feel as if I had given birth....and I DID!!! It was quite amazing watching the two docs work their magic and me not feel a thing (except for the pressure of the tugging and pulling)! The minute they finally pulled her out (I'll explain later) not only did I feel the instant relief that my abdomen was no longer pregnant, I felt this instant gratification in the fact that I HAD GIVEN BIRTH (for a 2nd time)!!! It was quite the amazing moment! It was quite surreal actually!
(Picture of Reagan)
I'm the type of person who really quite enjoys watching medical shows...the real ones...so that explains why I would want to watch my c-section a little, right? Silas was able to get a few really great shots of the surgery...the birth of our baby girl. If you don't like this type of thing then skip down or stop right now! Oh, one thing I want to document is...it's a good thing they numb you the way they do with a c-section!!! AND it's no wonder you are so stinkin' sore afterwards! Also, I seriously thought Silas was going to PASS OUT this time. He kept standing up to watch and then he'd sit back down...now this was all happening at my HEAD so you can only imagine what I was thinking..."DO NOT THROW UP ON ME!!!" I kept asking him if HE WAS OKAY!!! LOL! I thought that was pretty funny!! When it came time to pull the baby out the Drs. had a really hard time. She kept slipping. While I was watching (& loving every second of it, hehe) I swear that at one point, Dr. L had his arm inside my belly all the way up to his elbow!!! What the crud?!! And then both Drs. put one hand in to try to grab her while pushing my belly skin up out of the way...eeewwwww you say??....you should have been the one watching!! :) FINALLY, they used this thick metal hook thing to grab her and they got one foot out first and then they were able to grab the rest of her!! Little stinker! But needless to say, I was amazed at the entire process!! I'm so grateful that she was delivered safely and that we both suffered no major trauma from this pretty major surgery!! Enjoy the pics!!

I love my little angels that I'm so privileged to be a mother to!! They truly are little miracles and I'm so blessed to have them in my life!

--
Amy Woolery
www.amywools.blogspot.com

Motherhood... by Maurita

I have been a mom since the year 2000. I was given a beautiful Angel for a moment of time to care for her and love her the best I knew how. Taylor was diagnosed with a terminal illness 1 year into her short life and the news was devastating, but we had no time to waste in giving her the life she deserved while she was here with us. She was the teacher and I was the student. Her huge spirit was trapped inside a beautiful body that was limited by the disease, but she was truly my hero. My hero, because she taught me how to love, how to step outside of the norm no matter what else and endure, how to give you what life has for you and be optimistic and at peace.
I know Heavenly Father gave me an Angel to prepare me for my boys :).
I am a better mom to them because gave me her spirit of love, understanding, and patience.

I think of her everyday. It hurts sometimes. The hurt just comes from wanting to hold her and smell her again and to feel her giant spirit around me again. But I do, I feel her around. I know she sees me with the boys and is proud of me and is cheering me on.
There is an emptiness to losing a child. It will always be there, because they were there in your physical life with you. I know life here on earth is but a fleeting moment of time and I will see her soon again, but she is still gone and I long to see her and hold her and love on her like I did for 6 years of this life.

When you are a woman and a mother I think we are given a unique gift. A gift that can't ever be described in words, but it has something to do with feeling, hearing, protecting, nurturing, acting with a deeper level of emotion.
I turned into this Warrior woman with Taylor. Nothing could bring us down, not even the disease. The Doctors gave her 2-7 years and she was 2 months shy of her 6th Birthday. We were little warriors together fighting against the earthly ailments that were upon her. Today I fight with my 3 other little warriors, and I fear, even though Taylor endured a physical fight, my boys will face more of a spiritual fight. Which make it my fight with them too. I give them the tools to make it more bearable. It's the little things we teach them like the power of our example and how we treat them.
At times I get down on myself, like we all do. Why do we do that? It's not fair to us. Why do we compare ourselves to other moms or women and say we are not doing enough or feel "less than" because of what the other women do or accomplishes.
I am really trying to see what I can learn from them and apply what works for me in my life. The moms that I meet have so many good qualities and when you focus on yours as well, you learn that nobody has it "all" together. We are all on the same path of life trying to live it as best we can and why not do it together as moms and women.
I married a gorgeous Army man. With the job, comes the deployments. We had a deployment this last year and it was truly the hardest thing I have done.
I was pregnant, had the baby, took care of 2 toddlers, the house, the yard, the bills, and more.... oh and me. It was so lonely. I missed my best friend and husband. There is an emptiness you feel, kind of like losing a loved one, but you can still have communications with them. It's heartbreaking to tell a toddler why daddy isn't going to be in his life for one whole year. I had to be the mom and the dad and at times it was exhausting.
There are plenty of amazing women that endure the Army wife life. I have learned a whole lot from these women and have learned more about me in the process.
We are all in charge of our own destiny, salvation, what have you, and it is up to us to make the most of it or least of it.
I am making the most of what life deals me.
We learn from each other and should lean on our friends more. It's good for the soul to keep relationships alive.
May you all have a wonderful Mother's day. Look at your children and see them for who they are going to be one day and be excited... because with your influence, they will move mountains. Love yourself more everyday for who you really are.

Maurita Lanoue

Happy Mother's Day...

I just wanted to wish my wonderful mom, step-mom, mother-in-law, grandma, sisters, sister-in-laws, Aunt's, cousins and great friends a very special Mother's Day. It is too bad that we have to have ONE day a year the we remember these woman. That we tell them we love them. We call them on the phone, smile and send a little extra love their way. They are amazing all year round! Thank you for all you have done for me and my family! I love you all more than you will ever know! THANKS!!!

Motherhood.... by Stacey

What Did I Get Myself Into?

You wait nine months, eating everything in sight only to throw it up every morning. You watch your tummy expand and get bigger and bigger, yet you still have to go about your daily chores of sweeping, mopping and cleaning all while carrying this extra weight around. The mood swings are enough to drive away a hornet. You get kicked and pushed in the ribs until you think they're gonna break, and wherever you go all kinds of people touch your tummy, saying things like, "Well she's ready to pop," when they think you're not listening.
Then you have to drag yourself out of a warm bed sometime during the night and rush to the hospital where you get shot in the back, poked, prodded, coached to "breathe", etc. Then this tiny, round, red-faced screaming baby is placed in your arms and you think it's all going to be worth it. But suddenly it's sleepless nights and sleepless days, waking up every couple of hours to feed this bottomless pit. Your eyes are bloodshot, your whole body is exhausted and in pain.
As time goes on, there are tantrums and food throwing, peanut butter smeared on little faces, hands and in hair, grubby little fingers that want to touch everything and pull everything off of shelves, wet and poopy bottoms to wipe, toys to pick up time and time again, trading in gourmet meals for spaghetti-o's and mac and cheese, crumbs to vacuum three times a day. There's the whining, the crying, the screaming, the hair-pulling...I could go on. So, what have I gotten myself into? Motherhood, and I wouldn't change a thing! It really is all worth it! Cherish every moment, they all go by so fast!

Motherhood... by Sue

My mother is one of my best friends. She has shared with me so many wonderful attributes of what makes a wonderful mother. One of those attributes that means the world to me is her unconditional love. Realizing her children aren't perfect, she still loves us anyway (through the good and bad). Another thing that my mother has said over the years that has brought a lot of meaning to me now that I have children is, "A mother is only as happy as her saddest child!" My mother has truly been through a lot raising six children. Her children are her life! She has experienced much happiness, and she has experienced much sadness as well. I think the hardest thing for a mother is to sit back and allow her children to exercise and strengthen their own wings, to the point of where they can fly on their own. Knowing they are going to mess up at times! I love the little saying that says:
Mothers are the Angels
That Lift Us To Our Feet
When Our Wings
Have Trouble
Remembering
How To Fly.
My mother has done just that. She has been able to lift me to my feet many times as I have fallen flat on my face in life, especially as a mother. She has taught me the virtues of great faith and hope and courage. In her later years she has battled with parkinsons disease which hasn't treated her to well, and talk about a great attitude. She fights everyday to make it a good one, even trying to serve others while she is in such excruciating pain at times. She is not only her childrens "ANGEL", she is an "ANGEL" to everyone who knows her.

I love you mom, and so happy to have you as my mother.

Love You, Sue

Motherhood....

I have a mother and I am a mother so I know love.

From: Edna

I know what it's like to wake up in the night frightened by a storm, a loud noise, or a bad dream. I know what it feels like to scrape the skin off your knees on the rough surface of the road. I know how it feels to go to the first day of anything new. I know how sometimes you are just too tired to walk to your own bed. I know how good it smells to walk into the house when there are cookies in the oven or spaghetti sauce simmering on top of the stove. I know about broken hearts and feeling left out of a crowd of peers. I know the excitement of a prom and the need for a beautiful dress. I know the pain of ear infections and fevers, stomach aches and or sore throats.
I know how homesickness feels when you go to spend the night with a friend or a cousin and realize as you climb into bed that it isn't your own. And I know how it feels when Mom kisses the scrapes and tears away, listens to the details and emotions, is always there no matter how long it takes or how late into the night you need her. I know how it feels when somehow Mom finds a way to get that important dress for the prom.
I know what it feels like to have morning sickness ... and to hold a sweet new baby with the beautiful smell of birth that lingers with them for such a short while. I know what it feels like to comfort a frightened child, kiss a bruised elbow, see a tear streaked face when they break a toy or tear their favorite dress. I know how it feels to walk the floor with a sick child, kneel in prayer on their behalf, clean up a bed full of vomit. I know how it feels to have little ... and big ... arms thrown around me and hear the words, "I love you Mom." I know how it feels when children are disappointed, heart broken, and feel left out. I know what it feels like when they make poor choices and have to suffer the consequences. I know how it feels when they feel success in what they are trying to achieve, when they learn new things, and when they have good friends. I know how it feels to worry when they are out too late or have friends that can't be trusted. I know how it feels when suddenly they fall in love and without much more than a wave goodbye they are out the door to start a new phase of their life.
I know how much love is in a grandma's heart, how it feels to be adored by little people who don't see any of your faults, to listen to their concerts and recitals, watch their athletic games, spoil them with little treats and unexpected gifts. I know how it feels when they tell you they love the smell of your house and want to be with you even with gap of generations. I know how it feels when they hold your face in two hands and tell you you are beautiful even with the wrinkles. I know how a grandmother loves.
I have a mother, and I am a mother, and I am a grandmother so I know the best kind of love there is.

Motherhood...

Motherhood....

I am taking an idea from Cameron's cousins blog! I want to post different thoughts from different mothers that have touched my life. So throughout the month of May I will be posting these thoughts that I have received from each one of them. I have enjoyed reading Kali's blog and feeling the spirit from all the mothers that have posted on her blog. We all have our stories and we all have our different experiences with being a mother. I know that being a mother also come from the things we have learned from our own mothers. So stay tuned, and enjoy the experiences that these mothers have shared. Let me know if you would like to contribute as well... I would love to hear from all of you!!!

Here is a great quote to start us out....

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Cole had his two month check up on thursday.

Weight= 12.50lbs 67%

Height= 22.75in 38%

Head= 15.5in 31%

I had all sorts of questions and I really appreciated the Dr. taking the time to answer them for me. I can't believe how big he is getting. He is also so alert and aware of the things around him. I was a little nervous for him. He had no idea what he was in for and I finally understood what mother's meant when they said that they hurt for their child. I knew he was going to be in some pain and that pained me. The nurse asked if I wanted to to stand by him or wait out in the hall. I had a friend tell me to wait in the hall so when it was all over you can come in and be the good guy. So I stood out in the hall right by the door and when she was doing her thing I could tell that Cole was not happy with all the pokes. So after she was done I went over to him and picked him up and snuggled him really tight and he wimpered a little and snuggled me right back. He also received and oral vaccine. Now I want you to think of your most
favorite candy... now try and imagine what it was like to eat that for the very first time. Well that is what this vaccine was to Cole. I have never seen him so excited to have something in his mouth and the rate that he was smacking his lips together. It was hilarious. Even the nurse got a kick out of it. I asked her what it tasted like and she said it was just a sugar water base. It is going to be a blast watching him experience the other GOOD things out there. I guess that is one thing I love about being a mother. The joy of watching him experience something for the first time. Watching him enjoy the small things of life. How much he loves his hands and fingers and how he trys to innertwine them together. How he tries to put his whole hand in hi
s mouth. The thing that melts my heart is when I enter the room, he hears my voice and the instant smile on his face.
Cameron's cousin is blogging for the whole month of May about Mothers. I thought that was a brilliant idea. So I might jump on the bandwagon and make a couple of posts dedicated to our mother's, us as mother's and just the amazing women that have touched our lives. So keep checking back and if you feel so entitled to leave comments about your thoughts and feelings about Mother's I would love it!