My Mother's Day

My Mother's Day began with sleeping in until 7:30am. This is about two hours later than my usual wake-up time so I was very grateful to Eric for taking care of Becca and Max (our dog) so I could get some extra sleep. I felt well-rested and excited for Mother's Day to begin. You know how sometimes special occasions don't feel like they're supposed to and they feel like just another day? Well, yesterday felt like a very special day right from the moment I woke up! A day all about me! To do whatever I wanted to do! I was grateful for such a day :) A day to celebrate the fact that I am a mother. 
My husband was in a really good mood when he greeted me downstairs and wished me a Happy Mother's Day, followed by a great big hug from my daughter :) What a wonderful way to start the day!
We had a lovely breakfast as a family together out on our screened-in porch. It was a little chilly out, but the air was so fresh and crisp; it felt really great. Breakfast was delicious. Eric cleaned up and cleared the table while I got ready for the day. I wanted to look fabulous! I wanted to really feel good about myself. I took my time picking my outfit, doing my makeup, putting on jewelry and perfume...and when I had finished I looked in the mirror.....and I liked what I saw! I usually dread the mirror and avoid it as much as possible. But, yesterday I felt good about the person that I saw. I clean up nice! ;)
I told Eric I wanted to go to the local park as a family. So we found one about ten minutes down the road that Becca and I had never been to. Eric had been there many years ago when he was a student here. It was a small park and it had a playground and soccer field and baseball field. There was nobody else there, we had it all to ourselves. We let Becca run and run and run through the soccer field. She loves to be outside. She runs without purpose, just for the love of it. Eric and I followed behind her, hand in hand, just enjoying the moment. Then we headed to the playground and Eric and I took turns with Becca going down the slides. She had a blast! On the drive home we went through some neighborhoods and just toured the area. Eric and I used to do this when we lived in San Diego. We would talk about the houses that we saw and what we liked and didn't like about them. This is one of my favorite things to do with Eric. I know he enjoys it too. We came home and fed Becca lunch. Last year Eric and I started a family tradition of a photoshoot with Becca every Mother's Day and Father's Day so we will always have that day captured in pictures. So, Eric had been taking pictures at the park earlier and when we got home he took some more pictures of her and I. We got a couple really great ones :) When we were finished with that, it was time for Becca's nap, so we put her to bed. Eric and I sat down and watched TV and read the paper. As soon as I finished reading I went on the webcam with my mom and we talked for a while. I loved spending time with her on Mother's Day the only way I was able to. At least we could see each other and chat. After Becca woke up from her nap I made dinner.....cheese raviolis with red sauce....mmmmmm. Delicious! The rest of the night was very laid back. I took Max for a walk after dinner. This is my time to myself. Very peaceful. When I got back from that Eric and I talked on the phone with his mom for a while.
What a great day it was for me. Looking back, there was nothing grand that we did, just spent time together as a family and that's what I wanted. Just being together. We don't have to spend tons of money...it's about the moments and putting in the time. I am thankful for my husband taking Max on most of his walks and taking care of everything so I had to do very little that day. And my daughter who lights up my world by just being in it. Happy Mother's Day to me!