Happy Mother's Day

This mother's day I wanted to talk about a few pictures that are extremely special to me. Although I am in all of these pictures, they are definitely not what most people would consider to be my best pictures....but for me, they are beautiful pictures that I will always treasure.

Caroline was the first to give me the job as mom. What a beautiful girl she was and is. I continue to marvel at her strong spirit. She is so kind and loving to people around her, always trying to make others feel better. She loves life and jumps into everything with both feet--what an example she is to me of giving everything I have to whatever I do.

Carter is such a wonderful son. He is so sweet and loving. He brings a lot of balance to our family. He is a constant reminder to me of love and kindness. He is unassuming, but when you get to know him, you will find that he has an incredible depth of character. Carter is so funny and is a great example to his younger brothers.

Rees is my little angel waiting in heaven for us to join him. I don't have any pictures I want to share of him and I in the hospital, but here are his hand and footprints. To give you an idea on size, half of my index finger will cover one of his footprints. Rees taught me a lot about faith, reliance on my Heavenly Father, and a knowledge that God is aware of me and of my needs, and that He answers prayers. I think of Rees often and he motivates me to be a better person so that I can see him again someday.

Alex is a wonderful son. So full of life and energy. You can't help but smile when Alex is around--he is funny and sweet and crazy all at the same time. Alex is a wonderful example to me of being cheerful through hard times. For some people calling someone a baby is an insult, but for Alex it is the highest praise he can give you. Alex is such a wonderful big brother.

Aaron is a sweet little baby. So happy and cheerful, sweet and cuddly. He is a great baby, so cheerful despite all the love he gets from his brothers and sister. I love to hold him and feel his sweet spirit, so recently come from heaven.

I feel very blessed to have not only a wonderful husband and 5 beautiful children, but to have a wonderful mom and mother-in-law and fabulous grandmas and great-grandmas. All of whom I have watched for years and years. They have inspired me and taught me, and shown me what it means to be a wonderful mom, a good wife, a strong woman, and a daughter of God.