Every day is Mothers' day in my house

I came home from a night shift to a shower of gifts. Back massager and scented candles and gadgets for my phone and a book to help me plan more family trips. My mouth watered with the smell emanating from the kitchen as Randy had a shrimp and mushroom, bacon and quiche in the oven.

The kids really impressed me this year with their beautiful cards filled with heartfelt words and quotes they'd researched such as

"A mother is one who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take"

that Micah had in his card

and from Makayla -

"To the world you're a mother. To us you are the world"

Beautiful hand made cards and digital art:

Then we all got ready for church and right before service ended, the primary and intermediate classes had a surprise performance for all of us and they handed out flowers and chocolates to the moms

After church we went to Mission Bay beach and hung out there for a bit before heading back home.

And now I sit, very slowly putting this blog post together as my massager does its magic and Randy is cooking a delicious meal. I don't consider myself to be spoiled, but I am definitely pampered. Every day I am told and shown that I am loved and appreciated and valued. I am regularly gifted with snuggles and hugs and kisses and cards and artwork made just for me. Our home is filled with lots of "I love you"s. Randy anticipates and caters to my every need and always makes me feel empowered, beautiful and desired. When as a professional Black woman I have to always be strong, Randy provides me the space to be vulnerable and soft.

My family does not wait for "special days" to make each other feel special.

My husband and children have always been my soft place to land after coming in from the harsh outside world(since moving to Aotearoa, I have been able to slough off some of the callouses that have helped me to survive). They support my passions, trust my decisions and have faith in the directions I set us on. They value my contributions in and out of the home.

I count my blessings today and every day. Today just happens to be Mothers' Day.........

Happy Mother Day!