Happy Mother’s Day!

She loves to decorate for holidays, loves to watch Hallmark movies, irons EVERYTHING, can’t figure out technology to save her life (she still has a flip phone!), and is the most indecisive shopper you will ever meet . . . and we love her! 

Her name is Patricia, she goes by Patti with an “i”, but I used to like to call her Trish during my teenage years. I’m sure she loved it. When my brother and I were in grade school, my mom went back to school to become a dental hygienist and worked until I think a year before I got pregnant with Lucy.

It’s a good thing she retired, because her five grandchildren keep her BUSY. If there’s a sporting event, Oma is there . . . and if she’s not there she’s somewhere else feeling guilty about it!

She’s constantly thinking up ways to solve problems and is definitely a toddler whisperer! She has more patience with my girls than I will ever have! 

I definitely get my love of family traditions and decorating from my mom, but I can’t quite get myself to her caliber! Oma is famous for “having way better decorations than you do, mommy” and for letting the girls wash their play dishes in her sink. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!!

Grandma Rita

aka My Mother-in-Law

I definitely hit the jackpot as far as mother-in-laws go! 

When her children were young, Rita went back to school to be a teacher. She taught elementary school for many years, so she totally understood me and my job from the moment I met her. 

Rita retired and got herself four grandchildren in the span of two years!

Grandma Rita is famous for going crazy with presents at Christmas and birthdays and has had to learn better self control at the store. 😉

She is a great grandma, mother, and mother-in-law . . . and I don’t just say that because she often takes my side over Matty’s!

If you’re a grandchild looking for someone to cuddle with or someone to sneak you a treat or an extra big piece of cake, then Grandma Rita’s the one to go to!

Happy Mother’s Day, Rita!

Carla

aka Sister-in-Law #1

Carla married my brother, and now they have these three crazy kiddos! Carla worked full time until about two years ago, and I honestly don’t know how she did it! Actually, I do . . . she never slept! I think she’s gotten better now that she’s not working, but Carla seems to require the least amount of sleep of anyone I’ve ever met!

Carla is Emmy’s Godmother and loves my girls BIG! When we visit or do things together, she practically ignores her kids to play with mine!  😉

Because she’s such a veteran mommy, Carla is my go to person when I have a parenting question. Here we are at Greenfield Village. Carla called me last minute and “strongly encouraged” me to get out of the house with both girls after Emmy was born. She helped me through my first big outing with two kiddos, and we both were exhausted afterward!

She’s a great mom, she bakes and sells amazing cookies, and she’s aways ready for a selfie!

Happy Mother’s Day, Carla!!

Sarah

aka Sister-in-Law #2

Sarah and Brian got married on the exact same date we did . . . just one year later. They struggled with infertility the same time we did. They had Tommy five months after Lucy was born, and Eleanor came along three months after Emmy. I think we’ve gotten pretty close. 🙂

Sarah works full time and manages her family without ever complaining. Like ever. She also is uber patient, and I don’t think I’ve ever once seen her fly off the handle with one of her kiddos. Sometimes when I’m having a really bad day I think to myself, “Why can Sarah always be so calm and I can’t?” No joke!

She is Lucy’s Godmother and is always so patient when Lucy wants to talk her ear off or “help” her with Tommy and Eleanor. 

Aunt Sarah is great at keeping the peace by feeding the kids nonstop snacks on the boat. FYI: Don’t EVER suggest ice cream for dinner, though, because Sarah is not down with that!

Happy Mother’s Day, Sarah!!

And, finally, a quick shout out to the mamas who are doing this journey right along with me. Between us, we have FIFTEEN BABIES IN FOUR YEARS!!! That is nothing to sneeze at. Our kiddos are all in preschool or playgroups now so we don’t get together with our kids as much, but you better believe we live for our Moms Night Outs! 

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Whatever your Mother’s Day looks like this year, I hope there is a little bit of joy. If you’re struggling to become a mother, if you’re struggling as a mother, or if you’ve lost your mother, my hope is that you cut yourself a little slack on Sunday and give yourself some time to relax and just be happy. If there’s a baby shaped hole in your heart, I pray it’ll be filled one day soon. If you’ve lost your mama, I’m sure she’s smiling down on you today. And if you’re in the thick of motherhood like I am, I hope your husband makes a few decisions for you today so your brain can take a rest . . . and a few mimosas on the side wouldn’t hurt! 😉

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

We’ve got this!

XOXO