A Quiet Mother's Day

This Mother's Day there was no exciting shopping trip the week prior, but a trip to Mass with May Crowning of Our Blessed Mother and a quiet afternoon at home with my boys has made for a beautiful day so far. Eli is working a 12 hour shift today, and I couldn't ask for anything more. I pray that the next year finds a me a better, more thoughtful mother.

My beautiful card this year was from Aidan. Those daisies are growing from "heart seeds", he explained. The theme today is hearts.

And my flowers came from Gavin. This dear boy picked them yesterday and hid them as a surprise for today, forgetting they need water. This about made me cry. I explained it was the thought that counts, and his thoughtfulness made my day.

Mother's Day gifts are small this year because of the need to preserve the "New House Fund", but I wanted to share a shop that I recently came across that I am super excited about. The Catholic Balm Company started when a couple families got together to sell the Barbatus Beard Balm they made. They have recently started selling lotion bars and lip balms as well. Little Flower Lip Balm is named in honor of St. Therese, the "Little Flower", and comes in Citrus, Rose, and Mint. Lumena lotion bars are named for St. Philomena and come in four different scents: Chrism (as in newly baptized child), Radiance (citrus and spice), Harmony (lavender and lemon), and Fortitude (fruit and wood). They smell so refreshing and healthy. While the Catholic Balm Company is not "Traditional" per se, there is peace of mind knowing your money is not going to a company that supports Planned Parenthood, contraception, abortion, or other untoward charities or policies.

The mothers in our life also enjoy flowers and coffee (I honestly only know of a handful who don't!) and so I combined the two by putting real miniature rose bushes in new coffee cups. My dear Mama's favorite color is yellow...you can tell which is hers. :)

I thank God for the amazing gift of being a mother, and for the mothers who have been a blessing in my life. To play a part in the work of creation with God is so humbling. Today I pray especially for those who have mother's hearts, who ardently desire to be mothers.

Already today motherhood has given me a hundred reasons to laugh (or at times shake my head and smile):

"Mom, are you thinking of donuts? I'm thinking of donuts."

"Face forward, Jesus is coming!" Gasp "Where?!"

"I will listen to you forever so I can have a donut."

"Mom, why is Uncle Jim snoring?"

"What is your favorite part of church?" ... "The roof."

"Can we ride bikes in the cemetery today? I won't hug a tree!"

"Look, the leaves are getting normal on the trees again!"

"Can I have normal milk please?"

"Does Grandma have Mother's Day?"


Happy Mothers Day!