Mothers and Some Smiling

This is a two for one post...

Mothers:
I am grateful that I have been raised and nurtured by a Mom who  gave everything and wanted nothing in return. My Mom deserves anything that she desires, but I know she wouldn't want it if it meant her kids would miss out, or weren't included. She has been through the fire a few times and at those moments you think how will she come out on top, but then you see her walk out of the fire with a few burns and still smiling. Mom is beautiful in so many ways, she is smart, she is kind, she is full of charity, and she is always looking for ways to serve her kids (especially me). For those who are related to me and know that I am Mom's favorite it is because I am awesome and she knows it...and I watched many soap operas, reality shows, talk shows, etc with her, it wasn't what I was watching it was because I got to spend those quality moments with her. Mom I love you, thank you for your example, thank you for loving Suzi, and thank you for being an amazing Grandma to my sweet daughter.

Hey Mom!  I thought I would also take this chance to wish you a happy Mother's Day.  I hope you are happy and doing well.  You deserve the best.  As I've taken on this Motherhood journey, I see now just how much you have done for me in my life.  Thanks for all of the great advice during my pregnancy. When others were full of horror stories, you were always there to tell me how it's actually not that bad.  Also, thank you for having the type of genetic make-up that allowed you to not get morning sickness.  I'm sure glad that passed on to me.  Thanks for the sacrifices you made while I was young.  I know working outside the home isn't exactly what you wanted to do, but you did it and because you did I was able to play soccer and basketball. I'd also like to thank you for being a good teacher to me while I was a little tiny kid.  I will never forget the times we went to Blimpees and you would teach me how to spell words on napkins.  You are a good mom and a loving Grandma.  Thanks for loving us so much! (I stole this picture off facebook...haha)

Smiling:

They say that all the hard times with a baby are worth it when you see them smile...I'm going to have to agree with that statement.  No matter how long they are fussy, if they give you a little smile in the end you forget it all and joy fills your heart.  Julia is getting to the point where we can get her to smile by doing silly things.  I like to take the approach of speaking in a high, really excited voice and smiling an enormous smile.  I may look like a goof, but she loves it and that's all that matters.  Tyrel likes to play a little running game with her one the bed.  It consists of him holding her legs and making them move in a running fashion. She loves this!  She loves it so much that Tyrel almost got a giggle out of her.  I'm pretty sure the giggle will be showing up within the next few weeks.  I can't wait. This is a big land mark I have been waiting for.  First it was waiting for the smile, next was the giggle, and after that I can't wait until she can give me a hug.  I want a little baby hug so bad!  Well, without further ado, here's her little smiley face...

God commanded us to multiply and replenish so that we might have joy in our posterity....uh yeah...true and everlasting joy is right!