Mother's Day

  

Once upon a time I was in a grocery store. I had E, Duke and Sprout with me. I was also pregnant with Redd. We were standing in the check out line when a woman looked at me and said "Haven't you had enough. Do you know how hard we have worked so that you don't have to do this? How can you waist your life like this?"

I looked at her shocked. I didn't quite know what to say. I responded with a "Yeah, they keep me on my toes." She proceeded ask me if I worked and to say other things to me which I don't quite remember but it essentially summed up to be I had betrayed my sex by being a stay at home Mom.

I have thought about that woman a lot and while it may surprise you, I look back on that conversation and smile. Little did she know that THIS is the life I prayed for. Ever since I was little ALL I have wanted to do was be a mother. 

I know that this role is not for everyone and that is okay. But for me, there was never any other goal I wanted to achieve more. Never have I ever been so loved, needed or stretched. 

I love the sticky hands, the dance parties and the snuggles. I love my chats with E, playing battles with Duke, shooting hoops with Sprout and showering Redd with kisses. 

I love the crafts, the knock-knock jokes, silly conversations and the messes. Not every moment is glamorous or happy. The hours are long and some days I end up crying in the shower but this is everything to me.

This tiny humans are my whole world. They are the reason I get up every morning (most days before I'm ready) and they bring such JOY into my life. 

 I am so grateful that I get to spend all day every day with them and that they call me Mama. 

My Mother's Day was perfect. All I wanted was to get some pictures with the kids and that is what we did. We set up the tripod and Jakob clicked the button and we ended up with some pretty cute shots!

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and loving on my babes. Jakob made some dinner and I felt so loved.

 E colored me a picture and she worked really hard on it. It was beautiful!

We took a selfie with our matching glasses. I just love this girl. It was a beautiful day. Happy mother's day to you and yours. I am so thankful for the women who helped and continue to support me.

Mother's Day

I am one lucky Mama! These kiddos are my entire world and while at times I lose sight of that, I am so grateful to have them in my life. Each child is special and unique and I can't imagine my world without them. 

These three keep me on my toes, they stretch me and they make me a better person. They love unconditionally, they make me laugh and they love being together. And while our family is still young and growing, this is the life that I prayed for. This is what I wanted since I could remember. When I was growing up, people would ask what I wanted to be when I got older and I would always say "A Mom!" I want my children to be my world and while I could be better, I have no regrets about my career choice. This is where I am supposed to be. 

With these three my heart is complete and I cannot wait until November and we complete our little family. I look forward to our many adventures. I can't wait for the camping trips, the road trips, dance classes and all the music concerts and sporting events. This is my happy place. Thank you for letting me grow and rediscover the world with you. - Love Mama

Mother's Day

The greatest joy in my life is being a mother. These three are my world, my joy and hold my whole heart. Each child has it's own piece. They have stretched me, shaped me and love my unconditionally. We have shared sleepless nights, lullaby's, snacks, and snuggles. We have laughed until we cried and cried because we hurt. We have stumbled and we have fallen but we always forgive and stand back up. We love and we cherish and we try to savor the fleeting moments. Motherhood is my greatest challenge and accomplishment and I treasure these three and their Daddy more than my heart can hold. Thank you for letting me be your Mama and helping me grow.

 

I had to sneak a contraband picture of the kids singing. This was the first time (aside from the program) that both Duke and E got up and sang. 

E made me this little bowl in school. 

It was a wonderful mothers day! To my Mama, Mom Tobler, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins, Teachers, Friends and all of the other women who have shaped my life thank you for teaching me to be strong and fierce. Thank you for standing by me, supporting me and some days lifting me up. I have been so blessed to have such incredible women in my life!!!

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day I woke up to delicious breakfast and Jakob let me sleep in, which may have been the best gift of all! I came out to the kitchen and found so beautiful flowers and a letter. Exactly what I wanted. Jakob also said that he wasn't sure what I really wanted as a gift, so i got to decide. What a thrill. What should I get? A bosche? A Vitamix? A steam mop? An Insta Pot? So many choices!

 E made me a beautiful handprint flower and picked out a pink plant at school. So darling!

Manny made some fingerprint bee's which we adorable! So thankful for teachers who make us Mama' feel special!

But even with all the the gifts and kind words the best gift of all is being these tiny humans Mama! Being a Mama has stretched me in ways I never knew possible and there is nothing in the world that brings me as much joy as these three do. They are my heart and soul. I am so blessed to be their Mama!

Mother's Day Weekend

Kicking off mother's day weekend I got the sweetest letter in the mail from my nieces. I will be having to have a chat with them about my age however! Janet is so sweet and thinks of the cutest things. I am a lame Aunt but thank you Houston Toblers for making me feel special!

At long last we made it to the temple. The last time we went was my birthday....  almost two years ago! Yikes! It was so nice to go and the first time I have been since my Daddy passed. Things were very emotional but I managed not to bawl my eyes out like a crazy person in front of everyone. 

The KC temple is BEAUTIFUL!!! I just love it!

Sunday was low key and I really enjoyed that. We took the kids to the park and played. 

(Picture will be inserted once I return home)

For my present I bought myself a miter saw!!!!!! OHMYGOSH! I am so in love with it!! Lazer, angle cuts, the blade rotates!!! I couldn't be happier! Plus is it just perfect for my next project! (post coming soon!)

It was a wonderful mothers day and I am so thankful for the women, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, family and friends who have influnced my life. I have been surrounded by strong, brave, gentle, sweet and loving women my entire life and each and every woman in my life has left a footprint in my heart. I am the woman and mother I am because of you! I am so thankful for my two sweet and precious babies who have made me a mother. Being a mom has been my life's greatest joy, trial, sacrifice and accomplishment. My children stretch me every day and through them I become and little bit stronger and taller. I love rediscovering the world with them and they bring so much love and laughter into our home. I have been so blessed! Happy Mother's Day!

Moms

I cannot believe that this is my fourth mothers day! Three years ago I held such a sweet and precious baby in my arms and I imagined what kind of mother I wanted to be. I imagined laughter, dancing, playing outside, braiding hair, and playing dress up. I imagined reading stories, singing songs, teaching them to walk, talk, and catching them when they fell. I imagined snuggle time and savoring every moment and that is exactly what I've got. Sure there are late nights, massive messes, and some days it is harder than you ever thought possible but when I look back over the last three years those hard moments seem blurry while the happy ones are bright and beautiful. 

Being a mother has stretched and tried me in so many ways and I couldn't have asked for a better gift. My children are my world and every day I thank my Heavenly Father for trusting me to take care of them and helping me guide them down the path that would bring them back home to Him. THIS is what I was created for. Some people find fulfillment in work and so many other things but, for me, it doesn't get any better than holding my babies in my arms. I still have things to improve and I am being stretched and learning how to be a Mom every single day. 

I am the Mom I am today because so many important women in my life who have shaped me. Thank you for the phone calls, words of comfort and encouragement, your helping hands & your hugs. Thank you for making me laugh until I cry, for telling me when I need to improve and always pushing and encouraging me to be the best that I can be. I have amazing Mom's, Grandmothers, Sister-in-laws, church leaders and friends who set such amazing examples of what it means to be a mother and a woman. I am blessed. Happy Mother's Day. I love you all to the moon and back!

Mother's Day

 Let me tell you, I am BIG into holidays. And what is better than a holiday to celebrate you? It was nice to keep things low key since we are in the final stages of our move. I woke up to find this.

 Have I mentioned how cute Jakob can be when he puts his mind to it? Yup, I totally cried. Stupid, simple, perfect and thoughtful things like these mean the world to me. I'd take this over something purchased any day.

I am so beyond blessed to be a mother to two beautiful children. It is the hardest job but it has the greatest rewards. Rediscovering the world with my children every day is such a joy. My children are my world and I couldn't imagine life without either one of them. They have such unique personalities that add such light into my life. I was at a YSA conference once upon a time and President Russell M. Nelson was speaking. He said; If you don't want to be stretched then don't reach to be a parent. I couldn't relate to this more. Being a mother has stretched me and forced me to grow in ways I never knew I could and it's only the beginning. I am so thankful for a husband who helps and supports me. For the wonderful father that he is.  It was a wonderful Mother's Day.

Mother's Day

I just love Mother's Day. Not only because I have an entire day devoted to truly enjoy and remember what a blessing it is to be a mother but also to let our mothers know how much they are loved and appreciated. 

So here's to our mothers: Thank you for holding our hands when we weren't brave enough. For comforting our sorrows and bearing our burdens. For cheering us on and sharing in our triumphs. For reading us stories before bed and exploring the world together. For teaching us it's okay to fail and long as we tried our hardest. Thank you for your never failing love, patience, and wisdom. For listening to our troubles and bandaging our scrapes. Thank you for the pillow flights, camping trips, and the late night homework assignments.

Thank you for teaching us about our Savior so that we might return to live with him again, for your never failing faith and understanding. Thank you for teaching us to be independent but always being there when we'd call you. Thank you for all of the lunches, dinners and snacks.

 Thank you for not only being a mother but a friend, coach, and teacher. For pushing us to be more than we thought we could be. Thank you for the hugs, the laughter, and all of the joy. Most importantly thank you for leading the way and showing me how to be a mother. I hope and pray that I will be able to fill your shoes as I raise our children. We love you more than words can describe!

Here are just a few reasons why E loves her Oma! 

And let's not forget Gramma.

I have been so blessed to be a mother. There truly is no greater calling. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for blessing me with the opportunity of raising sweet Ethnie (and all too soon little Duke.) This is life's greatest joy and I wouldn't have it any other way!

My First Mothers Day

 It feels very strange to be welcomed into the realm of motherhood. In Sacrament they asked all of the mothers to stand and I felt a little unworthy to be standing with such wonderful, strong, and spiritual women. I pray that one day I will feel up to the challenge to rise with these women as I raise our little family.

It was a wonderful Mothers Day! Jakob got me some beautiful lilies! It was exceptionally special since Jakob has only gotten me flowers once before when we were engaged. I'm glad that these had roots so I can enjoy them much longer! 

 It is so wonderful being a Mother to such a sweet and precious little girl! It is such a sacred calling and I wouldn't trade it for the world! Every time I look at our sweet baby I am overwhelmed with love and joy. Ethnie just glows, I am just enchanted by her. While in moments of quiet reflection her sweet smile pierces my soul in a way only a Mother would understand. Even though she cannot talk yet, it's in these quiet moments that we have our most important conversations. It's a conversation that does not need words, that consumes your entire being and fills you with the most pure and precious love. 

 I am so thankful to be a mother. It is such a blessing, even though it is not easy by any stretch of the imagination it is most definitely worth it! 

 Ethnie wanted Daddy to feel loved as well so she shared her smiles and some kisses with him.

 After church and a much needed nap we went to Mom and Dad Toblers for dinner. (Thanks Dad, it was delicious!) It is so wonderful having Mom back in Vegas! I missed her dearly, but I suppose I have to share her with the other Tobler families. :) Her card this year was from the "Grand kids" I had a vision and it simply wasn't coming to pass. Thankfully Grandma didn't even notice all of the flaws!

 Each letter featured a Grandchild and had a little note from them. She seemed to really like it. :)

After dinner we went out to the pool to dip our feet in and "check the water." It was a very warm 98°F! Let the swimming begin!! Poor Mom was fighting a cold but she looked beautiful even though she didn't feel so hot!

Little Peanut was coming down with a cold as well and just wasn't happy. Poor thing, she did seem to enjoy the water but she wanted to eat, sleep and cuddle more. Next time we'll get some better pictures :)

I hope all of you mothers had a wonderful mothers day. Thank you to all of the women who are such an example for me to follow. A very Happy Mother's Day to my Mother and Grandmother in Canada. Thank you for all of the hugs, kisses and laughs. I have been so blessed to call you mine. xoxo