Summer is here!

I have been waiting for this day to arrive where I can say summer is here. I am ready and excited for the summer fun and nice weather. Ryder has officially graduated from pre-school--he will graduate again next year.  He is silly because when he said his prayer, he prayed that he could go to preschool even though he didn't always want to go. I wanted to kick off the summer by doing something fun and memorable. We had a cousin reunion on Rick's side in Logan on Saturday. It was nice and fun and Ryder loved every minute of it. He even got to go on his first plane ride in a small 6 seat plane. After that, we decided to go to Idaho to see my family. I can't begin to tell you how good it felt to be home. I know I have said this before but I miss Idaho and being home and seeing my family. When we were at my parents Ryder said to me " mom when I grow older I am going to live in Idaho". He never wants to leave when we are there. Words can't explain the special bond that Ryder has with his Grandad. It touches my heart watching them together. I was also able to see my great friend -- Nicole :)

Ryder is thrilled that summer is here. He loves to play with his friends all day long. I am going to try and plan fun things to do this summer. Rick and I had just realized that all our weekends are full in June. It feels so good to be in a good place in life and I am truly thankful for that. Rick just asked me today if I ever wonder where life will take us. I do wonder that, but I now know to expect the unexpected. Life has been full of love and heartache but I have learned that now matter how you plan out your life you never know where it will lead you but to just trust in the lord. I hope you all have a great summer!

Mom

I hope that it does not seem too cliche to write a post on being a mom on Mothers day. I have been thinking a bit lately about being a mom and especially my own mother. Just the other day I was telling Rick that I really do miss going home and I miss my mom. My parents fortunately come this way often. Three of my brothers live within 50 miles of each other. I just miss home, I know that may sound silly but I do. My parents have a lilac tree in their backyard so the fragrance of Spring reminds me of home. I wish I lived closer so I could hang out with my mom and take Ryder over to the house I grew up in more often. I love my mom. I call her almost every day and I know one day I will miss it--for now it is one of my greatest treasures. I love her for being there, listening and understanding but most importantly for being my mother.

It is my hope that Ryder will have fond memories of me. I was telling Rick today that there is not a greater blessing than being a mother. There is just something so tender and loving about it.. I just love when Ryder says "mom". He is getting so big that it went from calling me momma to mommy & now mom. My heart does ache at times because Rick and I did not expect to have just one kid. I am thankful that I at least get to be a mom to Ryder.  I was also lucky to have married Rick and have a wonderful mother in law. Pam, is truly wonderful. She had stayed with us for a bit and I will be honest I miss seeing her around.  I am thankful for this Mothers Day so that I can reflect on being a mom and show appreciation to my mom and my mother-in-law. The last couple days Ryder was so excited to give me a mothers day present, he said he had it hidden in his room. This morning when he woke up he said he had something for me & he ran into his room, opened his closet door and brought me one of my own stuffed animals. It was funny but yet so tender.
I hope everyone had a Happy Mothers Day!