My Special Mothers Day

A family portrait by Lance

Michael moved to California 2 weeks ago to start his new job with Johnson and Johnson in Milpitas and try to find a house for us!

I went down that first week with him and went house hunting every day to try to get a feel for the area and the neighborhoods, schools, wards... etc. So, Cosette and I spent every day driving Michael to work, house hunting, nursing every 3 hours, stopping at random shops to recharge my phone battery and call people to set appointments, getting Cosette out of her car seat, and then back in the car again until we picked Michael up from work in the evening. We then showed him the latest finds, and then drove 45 minutes back to Walnut Creek where we were staying with Uncle Dick and Aunt Bonnie.

Dick and Bonnie are SO generous and offered to let Michael live at their home with them for a full MONTH while we are in transition. While I was there they fed us dinner every night, and even took us out for a really nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and showed us around town. They are such sweet and loving people. We also got to spend time with their daughter Lisa. She knit a little hat a few months back, and gave it to Cosette! It is so adorable and fit her perfectly! Lisa is so thoughtful. It was so nice to be able to spend some quality time together.

Lance and Afton stayed home in Highland and were so SPOILED as they were watched by Aunt Collette, Grandma, and Nana the entire time I was gone. I don't know what I would have done without all of their help! I feel so lucky to have family that is so generous with their time and for them to help us out for an entire week... wow... that is A LOT of work! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!


Afton created this picture of her Daddy!

So this is Michael's second week living in California and the kids keep asking "when is Daddy coming home?" I tell them, "Daddy is in California working and looking for a place for us to live."

Yesterday Afton looked around the house and asked me again, "Where is Daddy?" I was about to answer with my typical response when Lance said, "Afton, Daddy lives in California now, remember? He is going to find a house for us." "Oh, okay." Afton said. They sure do miss their Daddy.

Today is Mothers Day and I have been sad to not be with Michael today. Michael knows how much I appreciate the "sentimental stuff" and sent me a thoughtful eCard today... My eyes filled with tears as I read it. It just feels so good to know that he appreciates me, and that he acknowledges the work it takes to be a Mother.

From my wonderful husband...

Dearest Camille,

I am so sad that I am not with you on this special mothers day,
So an eCard from your hubby I will use to say
You are my soul-mate, wife, mother, and friend,
So grateful I will have, with you, an eternity to spend.
You are so beautiful both inside and out,
I love you! I love you ! I love you I shout!!!!

Thank you for the meals, the cleaning, and shopping you do
The sleepless nights, the diapers, and bath times too.
I am so grateful you are responsible and kind,
But most of all being an amazing mom is at the front of my mind!

You bless us each day with your smile and your laugh,
You stretch each dollar so far, I'll show you the math.
I miss you so much, while I am here in the Bay,
Your protection and safety is what I pray for each day.

You mean everything to me, this you should already know,
For ever and ever my love for you will grow!

Happy Mother's Day honey. I love you so much!

Your lucky Husband,

Michael

I have the greatest husband! We have learned so much about each other over the last 6 years of marriage and our relationship continues to get stronger and stronger. I am so grateful to know that we will be an eternal family. I can not imagine an after-life without my precious family that I love so much.

I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have a loving husband, healthy children, and an understanding of my purpose in life. Motherhood is an experience that I learn from everyday. I can feel the Spirit trying to teach me how to become a better person as I deal with the day-to-day activities of raising 3 small children. It's no easy task, and I definitely am not able to change overnight, but it is such a blessing in my life to learn from the promptings I receive, to help me become more Christlike.

I am so grateful to be a mother. I truly can not express how fortunate and blessed I feel to have my children and to be entrusted with these precious little spirits that are straight from heaven. Being away from Lance and Afton for a week really reminded me how much I NEED them in my life! I love my children SO MUCH. I truly can't imagine my life without Lance, Afton, or Cosette.

For Mothers Day today, although Michael was gone, I was still definitely acknowledged and pampered! My mom was so thoughtful yesterday and brought a plate of scrambled eggs, a mango, a muffin, some orange juice, and a special note over to my house so Lance and Afton could surprise me today and give me a special breakfast. They couldn't wait to give me the note, but they "hid" the food in the fridge so they could give it to me in the morning.

This morning I was getting the kids ready for church and, as always, in a hurry to get out the door. The children had just gotten out of the bath, I had finished blow drying my hair, and putting my makeup on, and I was about the feed Cosette before I got on Lance and Afton's clothes and ran out the door.

Lance suddenly remembered about the "surprise" and said, "Mommy! Stay here! I have a special surprise for you, and you can't see it. Don't come out!" He ran out the bathroom door, closed it, ran out my bedroom, closed those doors, and went into the kitchen. At this point I knew I had to make a choice. I could either go tell Lance that we didn't have time for a big breakfast right now and put him off until after church, or I could let him continue on with his plan and be very late to church and take our time enjoying the special surprise. I decided that if there was any day to be a patient and loving mother, today was the day. I knew Lance would be heart broken if I didn't let him put together his sweet surprise and that rushing out the door would ruin the whole morning. So I waited patiently in the bathroom while he set everything up (which took quite a while). He put 3 place mats on the kitchen table, with a plastic bowl and spoon for he and Afton, an "adult" bowl and spoon for me. He got the plate of food out of the fridge and brought it into me while I was still in the bathroom. He was BEAMING! He was SO HAPPY to have a surprise for me and said, "Mommy! Mommy! Come in the kitchen!" He excitedly took my hand and lead me into the kitchen to show me how he had set the table special just for me.


This is a picture Lance drew of me!

I knelt down on the floor to be eye level with him, "Oh Lance! You are the best! Thank you SO MUCH!" He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the cheek, "Happy Mothers Day Mommy, I love you."

My eyes were filled with tears... even though I knew exactly what the "plan" was and I wasn't surprised, I was so touched at his thoughtfulness and what I sweet boy he is. Lance is a very loving little guy and even at the age of 4 he is melting my heart!

We all sat up at the table and I said a little blessing on the food and thanked Heavenly father for Mothers Day, that I am a mother, and for such sweet children. I got a little emotional during the prayer and after we said "Amen" Lance said, "Mommy, you are crying because you are happy for all the nice things I did for you, huh?" "Yes Lance," I said and kissed him on the forehead, "I just love you children so much. Thank you." He just smiled.

I am so blessed.