Mikayla's End-of-year Program

I got to be a special guest at a rehearsal for Mikayla's end-of-year program today! We are actually going to miss the program on Friday because we are leaving for California on Thursday, so Mikayla's awesome teacher let me come to a rehearsal. It was very, very cute. Mrs. Thompson has been a great teacher for Mikayla this last year. She loves school and I think that Mrs. Thompson has been a big part of that.

Sleep-up Friday Nights

The girls love the MacCabe family tradition of "sleep-up" (appropriately named because when we were kids and all slept in the basement, sleeping upstairs in the living room was indeed "sleeping up"). They get to have a special treat, make beds on the couch or floor and watch a movie on Friday or Saturday nights. And, just like my mom used to do, I threaten them regularly that they need to behave or they will lose their sleep-up privileges. Thanks, Mom and dad, for the great traditions!

Gweny's preschool had crazy hair day. It made Gweny cry...and cry...and cry. She absolutely did not want her hair to look crazy. She wanted it to look beautiful. Then, she realized that her teacher would have crazy hair and she cried some more. Then, she realized that her friends would have crazy hair and she cried even more. I eventually talked her into letting me do this to her hair. Not crazy. At all. Then, on the way out of preschool, I picked her up and gave her a hug and she whispered "Crazy hair day isn't so bad." Silly girl.

Here are pictures of Mikayla doing some book reports.

New and Interesting Things

LJ is learning new things everyday. He is starting to notice things that he used to ignore. He's starting to figure things out and is getting to a point where he will sit and be interested in something for about 30 seconds.

LJ has become very interested in Jasper, the cat. It's a good thing that Jasper is tolerant and de-clawed.

He is also VERY interested in our Iphones. He sent his Aunt Leeann a text message that said "OpepeprorsIAmdlxp.,8 ooo_," Then he called her and chatted with her for a few minutes while I was busy not paying attention to him.
He has also developed a very special relationship with his sisters. He freely gives them hugs and kisses, without them asking for them. He sits on their laps and cuddles up with them. He gets excited when Mikayla gets home from school and seeks them out to play when he hears them in another room. I wish I had a picture of him with Mikayla, but I only have one of him and Gweny.

Speaking of Mikayla, I feel bad that I haven't blogged and posted a lot of pictures of her. It makes me sad, but she's just gone all day. ALL DAY! I miss her while she's at school. There just isn't time during the morning flurry before school and then, by the time she walks in the door at around 4:00, the camera is put away and homework/dinner/bath time/reading time/bedtime begins. New goal: Take more pictures of Mikayla...even if its inconvenient.

My Happy Mother's Day!

I had such a great Mother's Day this year. Mikayla bought me flowers and made me a beautiful ladybug pin at school. She made me breakfast in bed all by herself again this year. And just like last year, we sat on the bed as I ate my delicious chocolate muffin and we talked about nothing in particular, but its becoming a tradition that I very much enjoy. Gweny planted a bright yellow flower for me and bought me some delicious chocolates. She said, "Happy Mother's Day!" and gave me hugs all day long. LJ gave me lots of kisses and snuggles.

I always appreciate Mother's Day. I know that most moms probably do. But for me, it isn't about the "day off" or needing to feel appreciated. I remember back to a time in my life when Mother's Day rolled around and even though I celebrated and appreciated my own mother, the absense of children in our home left me crying through Sacrament meeting and eventually, avoiding church altogether on that day. I remember one Mother's Day, I stayed home because I simply couldn't bear to go to church and watch all the happy mothers with their home-made gifts and smiling children. A sweet sister in our ward, Wendy Myers, remembered me and brought over a bouquet of flowers and let me cry on her shoulder for a minute before she said, "Give it time. Heavenly Father has a plan for you."

And boy did He ever! I have 3 very different children, who came from 3 sets of parents. Each one is so necessary to make our family whole.

Mother's Day for me is a reminder of how blessed I am...How very, very grateful I am to get to be a mother...How lucky I am to have such wonderful children...How blessed we are to be an eternal family. How blessed am I to be able to experience motherhood! I love my life and my children.

A Conversation with Gweny

In the car a few days ago:
Gweny: Mommy, when am I going to get married?
Me: When you grow up.
Gweny: So, like, tomorrow?
Me: (Long pause) uh, sure. Who are you going to marry?
Gweny: Daddy
Mikayla: You can't marry daddy, Gweny. He's already married.
Gweny: No, not when mommy dies.

Feel the love....