My "grand" Mother's Day Week - Day Four

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! The big day arrived and I was feeling so much better! We started the day by going to church (http://www.hudsonchapel.org/).

Andy has become a true southern gentleman since moving to the South, and wears his distinctive bow ties. At least they are "distinctive" up here in the North! ("Is that your son from South Carolina over there, the one with the bow tie?")

Deacon is checking out the murals in the nursery area...

It was one of those glorious sunny and mildly warm days that you wish could last all year long. After church, the guys got busy fixing our lunch.

and minding the kids...

while more family and our friends, the Meybaums, arrived...

And all I had to do was sit around and enjoy them!

Everyone is still laughing about my comment when I sat down to eat the yummy grilled burger & corn on the cob: "so this is what it's like to be a man...you sit down to eat, and food suddenly appears!"

I can't believe I've been a mother for going on 30 years! Seated is Great-Grandma Stager, who has been a mother for 61 years, Ellie & Joanna each for over 3 years, and standing in front of the bookcase is our dear friend, Jennifer, who has been a mother for 5 years now!

In addition to a wonderful "day off" and a fabulous cookout, I received these gifts: A book from Andy, handprints of two of the kids embroidered by Ellie, fruit of the vine from a local winery, as well as the hand made necklace & earrings (by my niece, Sarah), compliments of Sam & Joanna.

This very special dandelion bouquet came from Elylah!

Later in the day, we all visited my mom at her condo...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

My special mom has six children (and one in heaven), twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren (and expecting the 8th any day now!)

I'll not forget this Mother's Day anytime soon! Honestly, I think it may have been the nicest I've ever celebrated. Wonder why that is? Maybe I've finally come to realize what a gift each day is in it's own merits, and deserves to be cherished. But most of all, it's the LOVE that encircled the whole day! Thank you, each and every one of you, for making this day so memorable and special for me. My heart is overflowing with pride and gratitude! Thank you especially for the gift of your time spent with me. I hope you know how much I've loved being your daughter, mom, and grandma. I've had the best job that was ever created, and I'm not at all ready to retire!

Tomorrow: a fun day at the zoo!