Mother's Day

I would just like to take a moment to say that I *love* Mother's Day! Well, I wish it could be a better day for my mom though. My brother and I can't always get to their house for the day. It's a lot easier for us but we were just there for Easter so we couldn't make another trip. Trav's mom has his brothers and sister so she's able to spend it with family but we haven't spent a Mother's Day with her since the first year we got married. OK, all that said, I had a wonderful, amazing, fantastic day.

My only real request was that I not have to make *anything*. I do love cooking and making wonderful things for everybody but I wanted a day off. OK, my other request was that we have Publix subs because I haven't had one in a *really* long time. I love Publix subs, mmmmm. And I wanted to be outside. So I guess I had three requests. I really, really wanted to go to Fall Creek Falls to go hiking. But I really felt like we should be at church. That probably sounds odd but I don't really like to go to church on Mother's Day. It probably stems from the fact that I've heard no less than two dozen sermons on the Proverbs 31 woman and how we should be like her. But when I was a single mom and in college it really didn't apply and was just really painful. So I'd take Amanda to the beach or something. So we got to church late. Even though I knew I was supposed to be there I still drug my feet. And the service was amazing. Pastor Dale had some great insight and felt that God wanted to set people free and bring healing and that's what we went after. Then he preached about drawing from the well of living water. It was so appropriate and beautiful and I was so thankful that we went. Oh, and helpful too. There is no way to be what Proverbs 31 says we should without drawing from that well.

Then it was on to Publix and the zoo! The weather was overcast and perfect for walking around. We decided to do the loop around the animals in the reverse order that we usually do so that we could spend time looking at things that we usually whiz by because we've gotten too tired to see the rest of it. So we let the kiddos go to the petting zoo.

And the playground. We really had a fabulous time climing the rope, um, thingy. At the top of the enclosure there is a slide that is, of course, really tall and really dark. It was so fun. And the second time I went up there was a man standing there and he asked me "do you think our big butts will fit down that thing"? To which I replied, "well, my big butt just went down so you're probably OK". But later on I really wished that I'd slugged him. Who says that to a woman? Even if she has a big butt you still shouldn't say it. OK, I'm over it now.

I was also treated to the most wonderful presents. A night of babysitting from Amanda plus a Starbuck's gift card, AN ALTON BROWN DVD COLLECTION from Trav (! I had to shout it because I'm soooo excited), and a handmade, handpainted plate from Chloe. She made it herself in art class at school. I will treasure it always and proudly display it, even when she's 45. I really have the most amazing family ever. I am ridiculously blessed.