mothers day

Today was mother's day. This second picture was taken right before we went to the Quail Botanical Gardens, which was after I was served a delicious play-dough meal and given a lovely finger-knit necklace (by Paxton). Charis made me a recycled art car, and Caleb got me a cute little coin purse from Not For Sale (they sell things made by people taken out of human trafficking situations- it's awesome). As I type I'm listening to the record they gave me, She & Him - Vol. One. Good gifts. We walked to the farmer's market and had lunch there : vegan chilli! One thing I really like about this picture is Paxton's hair. He spent a long time combing it - with a comb. He was intreguided by this skinny hair brush that could make his hair lie so flat. Needless to say, I don't usually brush his hair.

Every year we go to Mothers and Others, a luncheon at my mother in law's church. Charis adores the event. She loves getting a new dress from Grams every year. She loves buying the raffle tickets to win a basket, which she never wins. The thing I think she loves the most is telling her brothers about all they missed. Every year Paxton bemoans the fact that there isn't a Fathers and Others, and he asks several times a day about why there isn't one. So sad and cute.

This year I have felt very grateful to BE a mom. In the past I've felt grateful for mine and Caleb's moms before, but this year I'm unusually glad to be the mommy of these 3 kids. I'm not sure why this year has been more this way. But I'm happy for it - I think I get easily bogged down in the small difficulties of daily mothering life and my gratitude level is usually kinda low. Maybe because my kids are getting bigger and aren't as hard as they used to be. But I think that Jonas is one of the funniest, cutest kids I've ever known. Paxton still melts my heat daily; he's such an endearing child. And Charis, oh Charis. My first born, and only girl. It's tough sometimes, but I love her so much. She is so beautiful and smart; so full of ideas and spirit. God knew I was supposed to be these people's mom. I didn't know it, but He did. And I'm glad today.