Sunday, May 11, 2008

Motherhood: True Character Building.


I know that I would not have been the person I am today without the joy of experiencing motherhood. It truly is the most brilliant form of character building and the most pure way of developing and understanding God's gifts to us. I never realized that I could take care of two babies at once, or that I really didn't have the patience I thought I had. I have learned many many - many lessons while raising my children and I expect their are many more in store for me.

My wonderful weekend began with a nice relaxing evening Friday. I finished baking and frosting 50 cupcakes for a mother's day breakfast the primary presidency was putting on for our ward. I've made cupcakes for almost every event and I was asked by our primary president to please bring as many as I could make! Craig took the girls out for a daddy/daughter date and to our little dollar store to let them pick out a present for me. They stopped in for some gelatto on the way home. While they were out I ran four miles! I've exercised 40 - 60 minutes, M-SA!


The breakfast was a lot of fun but we headed out a bit early to go into Vermont to dine at Outback (they don't have anything like it in Montreal!) We don't mind driving two hours when it's been months since eating nice fattening meal of Alice Springs Chicken! Craig said that we had to make a stop in Plattsburgh first; when I questioned why, he was very coy about it and said that he had to make a stop. OK? Anyway, we went to do some grocery shopping while Craig went on an errand. Long story short - he was buying my mother's day/birthday present.


On the way back we found this beautiful tree blooming in Vermont on the Champlain Lake Island region - what do you think? That evening we began cleaning our office and three hours later ended up changing our desk around and re-organizing the whole thing - we went to bed around 2:00 a.m.! The next morning I was treated to two little girls very excited about giving me the presents they had made at school and their dollar store finds! We stopped at a park to take some photos before church; I can't say it went all that well, as my Cici was a bit grumpy. I have been practicing with the primary for the last month to help them sing the song Mother, Tell me the story; they sang this in primary and some children did a presentation. Poor Nini was roped into a speaking part, without time to practice, and just froze. The person helping her had to say her part - it all happened so quickly; everyone after the meeting complimented her on being brave and that seemed to help her get over the shock of being up in front of everyone.



The mummy bandage!


We hurried home to enjoy some peace and quiet after the church services were over, made dinner, and had then everyone let mommy take a little over an hour nap! While Nini was running around the house playing, she stubbed her toe making it bleed. We made the mummy bandage, wrapping toilet paper around her toe, and placing two eyes on the bandage. She wore it for awhile and forgot all about her little booboo!


And lastly, to announce my mother's day/birthday gift - my husband's secret meeting in Plattsburgh was to buy this Nikon D40 camera - let's just say it was quite the shock and I am still on cloud nine! Nini got a hold of our day to day camera and snapped this photo of me taking pictures of what ever I could find! Forgive me for those blinding white legs! And now...to ensure true spoilage this week, Craig gave me a gift certificate at Christmas for a spa. I finally booked an appointment tomorrow for a Vichy massage. It sounded really relaxing in the brochure - we'll see though!



Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all you wonderful mother's!
How was your weekend?

17 comments:

Elise said...

Hi Michelle

You're so right, motherhood certainly does give you persepctive, an appreciation and an understanding that is unprecedented prior to having children. The lessons I've learnt about myself since having my daughter are remarkable. To think that my nearly 20 month old, has already taught me so many valuable lessons about life is a beautiful thing.

I love the first picture you included in this post. It is a beautiful photo.

What a productive Friday night you had. All that baking and frosting -amazing. Plus a 4 mile run. WOW!!

The photo of the tree in full bloom is just stunning. What a beautiful surprsie this must have been to come across.

Surprise gifts are the best aren't they? I'm looking forward to seeing loads of photos taken with your new baby.

Hope your Vichy massage is as relaxing as they advertised.

Love
Elise.

Amie said...

Those cupcakes are SO cute. You have such a knack for making things welcoming...

The camera is a fabulous surprise. I hope you had a great day.

Marie said...

How funny! Dirk got me a new camera for Mother's Day too. Mine is a canon, and I have had fun looking at the new gizmos.

You are an amazing gal, by the way. I'd have been happy to whip up a few cupcakes, I'd even smile through fifty. But I'll tell you right here, if I was filling a massive order like that I certainly would not have decorated each individually and made them cute. Wow.

Lauralee said...

awesome pictures.. the tree is beautiful.. and the cupcakes.. are cute!

what an awesome gift of a camera! how fun for you!

Carolee said...

Sounds like you had a great Mothers Day weekend!! Your cupcakes look so cute, a nap is priceless and how exciting to get a new camera!!

Nikki said...

Sounds like a fabulous and busy weekend! Glad it was all good. So fun to get a new fancy camera! Happy Mother's Day!

Bren's Life said...

What a Great Day.. That camera looks so nice. I bet you'll be taking great pictures with it...
My legs are way whiter then yours!
Isn't it Great being a mom...
Glad you had a Great Day.

Chrissy, said...

Happy Mothers day! I got a camera too! Canon 40d Jason picked it out I don't know much about it. But I'm taking a photography class in June. I wish we could take it together! I love reading your blog you are so sweet, real, and uplifting!

Melinda said...

What a great gift! That camera look so nice. I am sure you will have a lot of fun using it. I am glad you had such a great day.

Melinda said...

What a great gift! That camera look so nice. I am sure you will have a lot of fun using it. I am glad you had such a great day.

Nicole said...

Michelle, the picture with your girls is so precious! I love, love it!
Congrats on your new camera. Money well spent. Craig did good this Mother's Day. :0)

jenny said...

You are a saint for making ALL of those cupcakes (I probably would have only made 20. Congrats on the new camera. I can't wait to see all the photos you will be taking!

Tasha said...

Those cupcakes are amazing!
Happy Late Mother's Day!

Tasha said...

Those cupcakes are amazing!
Happy Late Mother's Day!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I like the picture of you and the girls in the park! You're all looking so pretty! The tree is beautiful! WOOHOO for the new toy, I mean camera! awesome of Nini to get that shot of you trying it out! :)
Happy Late Mother's Day!

Amanda :-) said...

I have to give you 10/10 for Effective Use of Time while Craig and the girls were out. I'd probably have made myself a coffee and got hugely distracted by something wasteful.

Our UK Mother's Day was back in March, so it's lovely to 'relive' it like this. Your pictures are superb and you're looking good!

And I LOVE the Mummy Bandage, and will absolutely copy that idea!!

crystal said...

Oh how I love-love-love the title of this post! So true. That photo of you and the girls under the blossoms is GORGEOUS.

Your present is fantastic! Have fun using it!