Mother's Day

Receiving cards.

The girls put on their life jackets for the boat ride.

An afternoon on the lake.

Grace, our little sailor.

Faith feels a little confined in her jacket.

Daddy & Grace.

A family photo.

The girls check out the parrots, Romeo & Juliet.

Me and my girls.

Watching for boats coming in the lobby.

Just hanging out.

Grace shares her snack.

They even dance to lobby music.

Three peas in a pod.

Pink flamingos.

Relaxing on the lawn.

A black swan.

It was the best Mother's Day weekend. Our celebration started on Friday when we had Morgan's parents over for dinner. We enjoyed our evening, celebrating my mother-in-law, Helen. I am so very blessed to call her "mom," too. My parents came to visit on Saturday morning and mom and I were able to sneak away to enjoy lunch together, just the two of us. We haven't done that in so long. It was really nice. After church on Sunday, Morgan and the girls showered me with cards and kisses. In the afternoon, we went to our favorite resort where we took a boat ride, ate some yummy sushi, and just had fun exploring the grounds. It was a perfect day.

Earlier in the afternoon, I mentioned to Morgan how nice Mother's Day is because it's almost like having another birthday. Not in the sense of receiving gifts but in the sense of feeling a year older, wiser, thankful and reflective. Being a mother has changed me, challenged me, taught me, and graced me with more than I could have ever imagined. What an awesome privilege it is to be a mommy. And to think that the Lord has entrusted me with two daughters! It is a great blessing and at the same time, extremely humbling. I pray that I will continue to grow as a mother, focus on the Lord, seek His wisdom, and be the example of grace, faith, and love that God has called me to be.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also,

and he praises her.

-Proverbs 31:28

Swim lessons

Miss Tanya rocks!

They got Princess stickers and a piece of licorice after their lesson.

Enjoying a snack in the back of the van before heading home.

We started our first Mommy & Me swim class at the Athletic Club today. I know what you're thinking... "But you have two kids? How can you possibly do it with both?" Thankfully, the instructor, Miss Tanya said that she could instruct the class by using one of the girls as her model/assistant. Miss Tanya came highly recommended. A few of my girlfriends have signed up with her and boy, were they right! Morgan and I consider ourselves to be pretty good swimmers but we knew that we didn't have the necessary technique and tools to accurately teach a 2 year-old. We really wanted the girls to know how to swim by the end of this summer. Obviously, not only for safety reasons but also for lots more fun in the pool and for future vacations. There were only 2 other moms with their boys in our class today so it almost felt like a private lesson. Miss Tanya was blown away at how well the girls did. In fact, she was surprised to know that this was their first ever swim lesson. Miss Tanya had Grace today and although I couldn't always see her face, she told me that Grace didn't stop laughing or smiling. Even as she went underwater about 15 times! Both Faith and Grace love to swim and Miss Tanya's personality and style of teaching fit us perfectly. Starting next week, we also begin our private swim lesson with her. Between the Mommy & Me class and one private lesson each week, our little guppies are well on their way. I had so much fun being in the pool with the girls and watching them learn. Morgan was a little jealous that he couldn't come with us but very soon, he may take my place and be the only daddy in the Mommy & Me class. How fun!