Celebration: Mommy Day!

I'm afraid that as a kid, as a teenager, as a young adult, and even as a young, married adult, I did not grasp the significance of Mother's Day.  It has been well documented on this blog, but I have quite honestly, THE BEST mother in all of the land.  I have always had nothing but appreciation of and respect for her.  I frequently tell her I love her, and I thank her for the abundance of joy and security she has brought to my life.  Each Mother's Day, I have recognized her with small tokens of my love and admiration, but although I genuinely celebrated the holiday, I had no concept of its importance.  

Now, as a mother, I look forward to Mother's Day each year more than my own birthday, more than Christmas, more than our wedding anniversary...  Doug always goes above and beyond to make sure that he and the kids show me and tell me what I mean to them.  It is one of those days when I find myself taking a step back from the chaos of a (nearly) 2 year old and a 4 year old, taking a step back from the mess of cars strewn all over the house and the shoes that have been kicked off in the middle of the floor, and taking a step back from my constant stream of nags, of frustrations, of exhaustion! And once I've taken that giant step back, I'm flooded with gratitude, with heart overload, with pride, with joy, with excitement, and with love.  Mother's Day centers me and reminds me of what is good and right in this world.

Sophie and Doug bought me some sweet gifts, and Cameron kept saying (in more of an inquisitive tone), "Mommy Day? Happy Mommy Day?"

This year was additionally special because Doug's mum was in town.  I cannot think of the last time that he has been able to be with his mum on this holiday, so he was able to make two Whitfield mothers feel wonderful this year!

I vividly recall two years ago, on Mother's Day.  Doug, Sophie, and I continued our annual tradition of visiting Pike Place Market, and we eagerly awaited baby brother to make his arrival.  I will forever link some of those wonderful feelings of anxiety, of excitement, and of anticipation associated with Cam's birth-day with Mother's Day.  The two are very much intertwined in my heart.  This year, as I looked back through the photos from Mother's Day weekend, I was struck by how big my baby boy is.  How big.  How loving.  How sweet.  How naughty.  How cunning.  How independent.  How cuddly. How hysterical.

Being a mother is the most amazing, most incredible, most challenging and most important role I've taken on in my life.  I feel especially fortunate to have married a husband who has such love for the mother of his children and who shows such gratitude for my role as a stay-at-home mommy.

In the words of my (nearly) Birthday Boy, a few days late, "Happy Mommy Day?"

A seriously adorable real-life John Deere advertisement in our back yard

one of the weekend's adventures

These crazy kids....

A Happy Mommy, indeed. 

Father-Daughter Dance 2014

Our neighborhood's annual Father-Daughter Dance occurred this weekend.  The weekend was busy for us with a multi-family bbq, soccer, a birthday party, bike rides and runs, a concert/date night out with Chris and Ali.... but all of the crazy hustle and bustle seemed to stand still the moment my handsome husband surprised our beautiful daughter with a little wrist corsage.

a tear-jerker photo

Daddy's girl

End of the night quote: "I'm going to pose, then you're going to look at me and take a photo of me because I look so old."

We joined together with a large group of friends before the dance.  The weather has been incredible, so all of the daughters ran around outside in their dresses.  The boys then stayed behind with the moms while the dads and daughters left for the celebration.  Doug said that he and Sophie danced all night long, only taking breaks to eat more cupcakes.  It was a magical evening for Sophie, and Doug and I may have shed some tears seeing our first born seem to grown up! Sophie is such a sensitive, strong, and imaginative little person who is lucky enough to know that she will always have a Daddy who supports and nurtures her.

Here is a short video that Doug took of Sophie dancing.  He sent it to me before they came home and Cameron and I must have watched it 10 times as he laughed and laughed, asking "What Gaga do? Gaga song? Gaga and Daddy dance?"

Other precious photographic highlights of late:

Morning "hike" with my buddy

Living it up beyond 9 pm.....!!

Sophie found a robin's egg in the yard that actually had an S written inside it!

Play date at the zoo with all these fun kiddos!

It's been a wonderful spring with two kids who are growing up very quickly.

Easter Celebration

Easter weekend was beautiful in all meanings of the word--- the children were filled with joy and excitement for the Easter traditions, Sophie understood the true reason for the holiday, we played and played outside in the sunny weather, and we gathered with family to celebrate.  

my stunning girl

Big sis and little bro....there's nothing like it!

Slow down, little people.  You're growing up so quickly!  

In addition to the Johnson 3, we were joined for Easter brunch by my Aunt Julie and Uncle Steve who live in Boise.  They embraced the chaos of the three kiddos running in and outside, tracking sand, grabbing toys, and commanding attention! It was a fabulous morning and these photos show the love!

Sophie was excited to show kindergarten-teacher Julie how she can read!

The brunch crew and our Easter decorated kitchen!

Grady is pure adorable-ness. 

Spending the morning with my Aunt and Uncle reminded me of all the fun times my brother and I enjoyed with them when we were younger.  I cannot wait for more and more of those memories with my own sweet nephew, Grady.  And I'm beyond thrilled that my kids get to grow up so close to Uncle Chris and Auntie Ali.  One of my favorite memories from our Easter brunch was Cameron climbing all over Auntie Ali and playing with her.  Nothing beats family!

(ps.  Doug was behind the lens of the camera (and behind the lawn mower, the stove, the sink...)  this weekend, so I promise to do a better job photographing and documenting his adorable-ness, too!)