God could not be everywhere, and so he gave us mothers - Jewish Proverb

I started celebrating Mother's Day yesterday. Some friends and I went out for a fun outing. First, we ate some lunch, and then cruised the streets of downtown Walnut Creek. The Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association in collaboration with Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce had organized an event that they called Flower Stroll to celebrate Mother's Day. We visited all of the stores that participated in this event, and while we were able to see what they had to offer, we would receive a flower from each of them. An the end of the event, we had a beautiful bouquet, and had enjoyed a beautiful walk with friends while at the same time looked at the stores without the pressure of buying anything. I shared some of my flowers with Gillian, but my bouquet still looks pretty.

While visiting these stores, I happen to see this sign and I felt inclined to take a picture of it. I just thought it was so perfect for some of us.

While I was gone with my friends, Elijah and the children went out shopping for mom's presents. Every Mother's Day and birthday, Elijah takes the children to get presents for mom. When they come home their eyes sparkle with excitement and they can't wait for me to open them. This is my favorite part of the whole celebration. I just love seeing them so happy and eager to please me. Yesterday was no exception. Even though James wasn't feeling well last night, he kept telling me how excited he was for Mother's Day. After they went to bed, Elijah and I watched a movie, An Education, which I liked very much. I don't think Elijah was very keen about it, but, nevertheless, he stayed and watched it with me. That put us to bed kind of late, and when this morning the children woke up early to have their dad help them cook breakfast for mom, I felt bad forElijah. I had no doubt he was exhausted. So, Elijah, I really appreciate you watching the movie with me and taking care of the children this morning while I rested. After breakfast, the children couldn't wait for me to open their presents. I was very grateful for their thoughtfulness and love. Charlton's gift came later, when after church, while the older kids were watching church movies and Elijah was calling his mother, he took a four hour nap, which enabled me to rest as well. Best gift ever, everybody!



I'm grateful for the blessing of motherhood. When I was young, I didn't give it much thought. Marriage and motherhood were things that I knew would happen one day, but were not subjects I contemplated much. And then, I met Elijah. One time, during the time we were getting serious about our relationship, we happened to be in the temple at the celestial room. He looked at me for a moment and said "I know you are going to be a great mother." I hadn't thought much about children actually, and if I hadn't been in the temple, I'm sure I would have been terrified of thinking of children so quickly, especially for me. But I was in the temple, and I felt the spirit strongly there. I knew then that it would be a blessing to be a mother, and that if I ever were one, I would do my best to be a great one. I've tried to keep that goal in mind as I raise my children. Motherhood hasn't come easily to me. I often struggled with the idea of staying home and just reading nursery rhymes and playing play dough with my little kids. It just wasn't me. So, I came up with the idea of doing things with my children that I like and I am good at. Elijah supplemented the part that I didn't feel like doing. Amongst all of the things that Elijah and I have strived to help our children learn and do, the greatest achievement for both of us is having instilled in them a desire to choose the right and a thirst for the word of God. I will never forget the scenes of Gillian, then 6, reading the scripture stories to my boys, while I laid down to rest after teaching seminary and feeling sick from my pregnancy. The scene of them sitting in a chair with Gillian in the middle reading God's words, without being asked, will forever stay in my mind, and will always make me want to be a better mother. It is moments like these that make motherhood all worth it to me.

I also want to thank my mother for being an amazing mother to me. I'm grateful for the many things she helped me achieve, but above all for her faith in me. Thank you, mother, for always telling me to aim for the sky. I want to thank my mother-in-law as well. I'm so grateful she raised a son like Elijah, who is faithful, righteous and full of integrity. Thank you, mama, for your example of humility, kindness and charity toward all.
What a great heritage my children have!