Moms…Our Own Special Day!

And then it was Mother's Day. The year is really moving fast and I'm not keeping up very well. R.B. celebrated another birthday, the boys went on a Father & Sons (some of the boys anyway) and May is only 9 days old.

I had such a nice Mother's Day this year. I am putting in pics of the flowers I got from Robert (above), Jamie and Summer (below) and cookie flowers from R.B. & Stacie. (Also below) Grumpy said to pamper myself a little, so I did. I got a new top to wear with skirt or pants, got a manipedi and what could be better than that?




Received some nice cards from Grumpy and and the Armstrongs and of course some chocolate. It's just not a proper Mother's Day without chocolate. Jade & Jeff got me a cute T-shirt and a camisole and I got to go to lunch with Jade and Tawna on Monday. We went to cheesecake factory and of course got some fried zucchini. Oh, and some key lime cheesecake and there were noodles involved in the middle of lunch somewhere. I got calls from all my kids and I love any day that happens.



After church we rounded up the kitchen and went to cook dinner for Gramma Dorothy. She requested Richard's Beef and Bell Peppers. We added another veggie side of Broccoli, carrots and pea pods as well as homemade spring rolls. I hadn't made any spring rolls for many a year and thought it would be nice to do some. Below is Grumpy slicing and getting the meat, onions and peppers ready to cookl.




My turn to cut and chop carrots, zucchini, garlic, green onions and cabbage for the spring roll filling. Into the pan to cook with a little soy sauce and then Robert helped me roll them up.





Robert and Grumpy finished deep frying the spring rolls while I got the sweet & sour sauce on to cook. It wasn't my usual recipe, but one I got off the internet. Mine is packed away somewhere and I think I like it better. But the sauce was fine for dipping. Next time I will make my own hot mustard too, the stuff I bought was not up to par.





Meanwhile, back at the stove Grumpy had finished the veggie side dish and we were ready to dish up and enjoy.



We had some sparkling grape and cranberry juice to honor the special day ( I love the stuff) and dinner was served.




Gramma and I managed a little fruit for dessert, because we all know there is always room for dessert, right? Fresh strawberries dipped in sour cream and then in a little brown sugar. One of my all time (non-chocolate) favorites.



We convinced Gramma to take it easy and put her feet up while we prepped and cooked. We both enjoyed cooking for her in her home and letting her know how much we appreciate her. All our mothers are just so wonderful. Each one has her own set of talents and abilities that make her the best mom for her family.

Funny how that works out.

Where did April Go So Fast?

I can't believe we are starting May. April was just not long enough. I look at my little calendar I keep at my computer and I see that it was a busy month, it just went by so fast. I went to Taya's to stay with the kids while she and Kevin took a much needed trip together. It was nice to be able to do that and the kids were very good. Emmy and I had a small difference of opinion one day, but she's 2 1/2 and I'm not. She is pretty stubborn, but I've had longer to practice the art of stubborn. Madison was visiting her Dad in Az, and Kaitlyn and Daron were a lot of help with the two little girls. I know Taya and Kevin had fun…they came home exhausted and sore from the snow mobiles. I had to miss Devlin's bridal shower, but Sydney assured me it was wonderful. She got the group gift she wanted and I am very glad for her. She wanted a KitchenAid mixer. She will love it for the rest of her life. Taya and Kevin brought all the kids to Az the next weekend for a baby blessing. Grumpy took Kaitlyn and Daron to the airport as they went to spend a week with their mom for spring break. He had a nice visit with them while they waited for their plane to leave. Then it was Devlyn's wedding. Not that I did anything to help there, but it was a wonderful day for the family. Easter was that same weekend and we didn't do a traditional Easter at all. Still, it was nice to have BBQ hamburgers with those that could come to Tawna's and spend some time together. A couple of down days and off to Tawna's to stay so she could go to Women's Conference. I loved going to women's conference the years when I attended, so was really glad to help out so she could take the time to go. Tracy, Papa and I went to a Luncheon sponsored by the Chandler Historical Society yesterday. Mark Schnepf gave us the heads up a month ago. It was really nice. They honored several families and individuals that had been part of the area and contributed to the communities of Chandler and the area for at least fifty years. The Schnepf family was one of the families honored. It was really great to see lots of our aunts, uncles and cousins together. We really have a great family. It was considerate of Mark to let us know so we could participate in that.

Not such a hectic schedule at all. I guess what made it fly was the fact that we are looking for a house. Lots of time on the computer and then looking. Driving all over creation and trying to find a good fit for us. A house is such a big decision and I want to get it right this time. Location is the hardest thing for me. There are lots of houses to see, and lots of areas to consider, so maybe we'll be lucky and find the perfect fit. It's time.

Home from Church today…again. I really need to get that figured out. I hope my Heavenly Father really does understand my heart because I am having a hard time with it. Not with my beliefs, but coping with so many feelings inside that keep me from wanting to be around lots of people. Not something I have ever really had to deal with before in my life. I'm sure that with the love of my family and knowledge of the gospel I will be able to work through this. It's just really hard right now. This too will pass as I know I will eventually figure it out. I just hope everyone will be patient with me while I am getting my head screwed on straight again.

Or maybe it never was on straight. Food for thought.