Simplicity In Celebrating: Mother's Day

Sometimes lack of plans (expectations)  =  simple gratitude and a peaceful heart.

Have you found that to be true too? Again, I did this Mother's Day weekend. A couple years ago I wrote about my high expectations and I vowed not to do that again. Thankfully, I may have found my sweet spot for Mother's Day weekend after keeping it simple last year and again this year.

We kicked off the weekend with Field Trip Friday with the kids. I hope I can get around to write about that another day. 

Saturday morning started sunny and bright with plans to meet my mom for coffee. I invited any of the kids that wanted to join us to come along.

Of course, they all did.

That was just fine too. A cup of coffee, smoothies, muffins and time with Mom/Grandma are always a nice treat.

'Cuz my mom is pretty awesome, as I've said before. 

As my Gianna now says to me, "Mom, you're the bomb." So is my mom.

Afterward, we headed home to take care of some odds and ends around the yard. We also had a visitor, our favorite seminarian came out for a few hours to hang out. ALWAYS a bright spot to the day for my kids when he stops over.

We also opted for going to Saturday evening Mass not so I could sleep in on Mother's Day, but just not be rushed for one Sunday morning out of the year. I know, it's the little things.

This morning I woke up bright and early as always, but couldn't get back to sleep. I hung out in my jammies for a while and then decided to use my time wisely to workout. I hopped on the treadmill and tried my newest app, Running Interval Timer, pounded out just under 3 miles in 1/2 hr and called it good. 

Considering I hadn't even had a cup of coffee in my veins yet, that was a good workout. It seemed to set me on the right path to head into my day.

The kids and Reed made a delicious breakfast, as always. Again we went for Patty's stuffed french toast recipe (can't go wrong there), bacon and eggs.

The rest of the day was filled with rest, peace, bliss, with lots of time with my kids and husband. 

And kisses. 

My kids got me a Mary garden statue I stumbled upon a couple weeks ago online. If you knew how I've been looking forever for the "perfect" statue, this was a most welcome gift. I was kind of picky all this time, didn't want Mary too big or too small, she needed to have features, not the classic garden Mary statue, I preferred her to hold baby Jesus, etc, etc. 

So I was beyond thrilled when I found this statue here and highly demanded suggested it for Mother's Day.

She's perfect. 

While plain now in my barren garden, she will be adorned with so many blooming flowers this summer. I can't wait to officially have a Mary Garden in my yard after all this time of waiting.

As the afternoon wound down, one of my favorite plans of the day came to fruition. 

You see, Patty and I had devised a plan to take our friendship to the next level. The level that is beyond the typing/commenting/texting kind and on to the see-inside-my-crazy-life-in-real-time-and-hear-my-voice next step. I was so giddy!! My kids were excited to see her kids and hear their voices as well.

I almost put on lipstick for you, Patty. lol. 

We got ourselves all techie and gave Skype a whirl. It's an amazing thing when there is no distance when you see those faces on the screen. As if the miles between Minnesota and Texas are not so many at all.  And yes, she is just as sweet and amazing in person as she appears when she writes. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Patty. It totally made my Mother's Day to finally 'meet' my sweet TX friend.

The afternoon finished with roasted hot dogs and cake at my in laws, just down the driveway. Some time of visiting with family and just hanging out by the picnic table.

As the day closes I'm ready to put up my feet and rest a bit while I write all of these wonderful memories on my Mother's heart.

It was a good day. I hope you all had a very memorable one too.