The little ballerina

Molly had her ballet recital on May 10, and she was the most beautiful ballerina! I even had permission to put her hair up in a bun (I had to beg the teacher to talk to her about putting her hair up...but whatever works, right?) She had a lot of fun, but when asked what her favorite part was, she'll tell you it was receiving flowers! (As VERY amateur ballet parents, we didn't realize that every family had brought flowers to give to their ballerinas after the show...SuperAaron darted to the store and made it back only a couple of minutes after the start of the show!)

I apologize for the lack of quality in both the pictures and video...we were in the very back, standing on a chair, holding up the camera (not camcorder, as it's broken,) and dodging the very bald head of the man sitting in the second row. At least it's captured, right? (Both the recital AND the bald head!) Molly is front row, second from right.

Happy Mothers' Days

I just got home from a very weepy morning at Molly's school. How I was lucky enough to find such a gem of a school, I'll never know, but I am so grateful for St. David's.
This morning was Muffins for Moms (in honor of Mothers' Day). The kids work hard for weeks preparing projects and songs (the muffins are store-bought -- whew!) to present to us on this day. Molly's teachers peppered the event with lovey little quotes and thoughts -- and were smart enough to hand out tissues to everyone.
There is absolutely nothing like watching my child wiggle excitedly through a song that she's singing to ME. There's nothing like that squeezy hug after I open the custom-painted, ladybugged candle pot she couldn't tell me about for two weeks. There's nothing like hugging back that nothing-short-of-amazing little girl. I am truly stumped at how I was lucky enough I was to have been given that miracle girl. I don't know why God picked me, and I try every day to prove that I am worthy enough to have her.
So to all the mothers I know:

-- the ones who are preparing by painting nurseries, running to doctor's appointments, feeling the kicks (and heartburn), wondering the sex, tasting baby food at showers, crying at commercials, and waiting for the big day --

-- the ones who are currently chasing monkeys, wiping bottoms, unclogging (or replacing) toy-clogged toilets, Orajeling teeth, teaching manners, juggling jobs and homes, cheering at sports games and piano lessons, rushing to the ER, shushing the whining, explaining Jesus billboards, embroidering outfits, making homemade ornaments, head-butting attitudes, encouraging healthy food, and draining wine bottles at the end of the day --

-- the ones who have already changed sheets in the middle of the night, clapped for first steps, cried over handprinted art, packed lunches, kissed bo-bos, doctored the chickenpox, waved to school buses both for the first and last time, picked up failed sleepover attempts, created homemade Care Bears and dresses, encouraged better grades, praised the blue ribbons (and the white ones), driven mini-vans (and big red ones,) handed over the keys, covered ears over slamming doors and too-loud music, unloaded at college dorms, picked out mother-of-the-bride dresses and are now fortunate enough to be able to (patiently) do it all over again from a different perspective --

I am so honored to be a part of this motherworld we are all a part of, in some way, shape or form. Every one of you inspire me, strengthen me, teach me, support me, and I am so grateful for each friendship. I am constantly learning from all angles you provide me, and I appreciate all your stories, motivations, struggles and triumphs. I hope each one of you have a very blessed Mothers' Day. You are ALL doing, or HAVE done, an amazing job so far.