Last Day of School

Today is the official last day of school.  Lily Grace just turned in the last of her remote assignments. She finishes having received all A's and High Honors every nine weeks throughout all of elementary and middle school.  She has put in so much hard work.
Gracie, daddy and I are so proud of you!!!  You are amazing!!!  We can't wait to see all you will accomplish in High School.  We love you Gracie Cakes!!!

Hole in One on the 7th!

Late yesterday afternoon, Matt and Lily Grace went to play a round of golf.  About an hour after they left, I got a very excited call.
On the 7th hole, Matt hit a hole in one.  
According to Gracie, there was quite a bit of excitement around the hole, at the hole behind them and back at the clubhouse.  It's my understanding that Matt put on quite the excited show when it happened.  Ha!  Ha!
The clubhouse is giving him a plaque and of course, he saved that ball.  
While the tour still won't be calling, he can say he's done it.  Way to go Matty! 

I think Gracie was just as excited!

7th hole with a 4 iron for 168 yds

8th grade Surprise!

Today has been a special day!  Gracie has just two weeks of school left and they're starting off in a big and fun way.  
While this is a memorable year for Covid-19, quarantine and remote learning, the 8th grade teachers along with the school made sure that today was memorable for a special reason.
The 8th grade teachers started out early this morning in the pouring rain and visited each 8th grader, rolling up with horns blowing and big smiles.  They brought along a celebratory yard sign, a class shirt and a scapular blessed by the Bishop.  It was so sweet and fun!  
She's had great teachers.  These two ladies are among two of the best.  She and I adore them.  Mrs. B teaches algebra and Mrs. J teaches Science.  

Mother's Day!

Several years ago, my mom came to visit when we were still living in TN and Lily Grace was a baby.  If I'm not mistaken, it was one of the few times that Matt and I actually seized the moment and went out to dinner.  While we were away, my mom folded and put away a basket of laundry I had waiting for attention. Several weeks later I happen to reach into my pajama drawer for a tank top and to my surprise, I pulled out a baby onesie. Apparently it had gotten mixed in with my things when she put away my white tanks.  I remember smiling and holding the onesie to my chest.  I'm not really sure why, but for some reason, I just folded it and put it back.  I liked it being there.  

All these years later, it's still in my drawer and every now and again when I reach in, I'll grab it by mistake and just like the the first time, it still brings me a smile.  I even sometimes find pause and enjoy memories of Gracie as the happy baby who wore this.  

It just so happens that I came across it last week and it stuck with me as Mother's Day approached and I reflected on being a mom.  

I'm blessed, plain and simple.  I'm blessed beyond anything I imagined or deserve.  Being a mom is absolutely the thing I am most proud of.  It is a grace that drives me to be the best me I can.  This Mother's Day weekend, I received gifts and acts of love.  When Matt arrived home Friday afternoon, he and Gracie kicked into gear.  She made every meal we ate for the entire weekend and Matt cleaned it all up every time.  I also received something I wasn't expecting and it's probably the best part. 

I woke Sunday morning to a beautiful card made by the sweet girl who wore the onesie years ago, only now she's a teenager.  This card, is like that onesie, it will bring a smile to my face for years to come.  You see, I worry.  What mom doesn't? One of the things that I give considerable thought about is making sure LG know how much she is loved.  I know that she hears me say I love you every day. I'm always trying to show her in everything I do (even in the no's and you can't LG- ha!) and while she says that she knows I love her a lot, it's important to me that she genuinely feels it deep in her heart.  I want her to know my love is unconditional and genuine.  I want to make sure she knows that it's more than just words. And there it was.  The words she wrote on the back of that card reflect a sentiment that truly left a mark on my heart. A mama couldn't ask for more. 
Along with those words, I watched Gracie work tirelessly to put me first this weekend and to bring a smile to my face.  She truly did that and  so much more.  She and Matt will never fully know how loved they made me feel because there are no words.  From the bottom of my heart, I am blessed. 

Matt thank you so much for helping Lily Grace this weekend and for making me feel special.  You are truly a wonderful man and I love doing life with you.

Lily Grace as I tell you so often, you are the best part of me.  I wake up excited to be your mama every day and I go to bed grateful that God chose me.  You are an absolute blessing and I love you more than words.  Thank you!  I am so proud of the girl you are and the big heart you let guide you.  I love you!  

24 months onesie once worn by the 14 year old who handmade these beautiful cards

"Every good and perfect gift is from above...."  James 1:17