Keeping it Real Friday - Mother's Day edition

I am not sure sure why I have been a touch more emotional this Mother's Day than the previous.  So fair warning that I have no idea how this post will turn out.  I am just writing.

When Jones was just a few days old, I celebrated my first Mother's Day.  Being a mom was so new to me (in ways, it is still so very new). I was just beginning to grasp the idea of motherhood.

 This was also my Nana's last Mother's Day with us.  My sweet, sweet Nana.

4 generations. Mother's Day 2010

Last year, my parents made the trip down to Gulfport to spend Mother's Day with us. 

And this year.  This glorious year.  2011 was not so great. For lack of better words, it sucked. (sorry, mama.  I know you hate that word.)

But 2012 -  Things are looking up in a major way. 

Trey is doing what he has been called to do his whole life.  And it is a beautiful thing to witness. We are happy and content and totally satisfied knowing God's purpose in our lives.

So maybe it is because this is the first holiday celebration since this new life, but for whatever reason, this Mother's Day approaching has made me sentimental, nostalgic, and ever grateful.

Sunday we will celebrate mothers. And I am feeling - now, perhaps more than ever - more thankful for my mom. 

Mother's Day 2011

My mom and my two grandmothers, one who is with us still and one who has already left this life: I can't thank them enough for showing what it means to love.  And for showing us what it means to be a mother. 

I can only hope I am half of the mom as those three women. 

From Jones - Mother's Day 2012

 And for this little man.  The reason I am a mama.
 Sweet love of my life. 

A lot of people in my life are struggling to have a baby.  And some have lost pregnancies.   I think about how I am quick to say I am ready for another baby, and how I often get impatient at the thought.  If only I would slow down more and appreciate the blessing I already have.  How precious is he. 

I will never again, I pray, take my mother for granted.  I only wish I could take back some of the ugliness in my life during a few teenage years.


If this past year has taught me one thing, it is this: love.

Show the ones you love that you love them.  And learn to love those who don't.

We get by with the help of those we love and who love us. Love can sustain us when there is nothing to offer and nothing to give. At the end of the day, regardless of where you are and what you have, if you have love you have everything. (sorry for the Hallmark-ness of it all)



I don't know about you, but I am going to spend this Mother's Day loving on my mama.  And my sweet baby.  And my sweet baby daddy. 

And I hope you spend yours loving on someone you love.  Regardless if you have a mom or not and regardless if you are a mother or not, I hope you feel loved this Mother's Day.

one for the books

Jones and I spent the night away from each other. Three actually! Do you know me? This is a big deal. I have a bit of an obsessive/paranoid nature. This used to not be the case, but my mother instincts are a bit much. At any rate, we did it. My sister's 30th birthday party was planned months ago, so I knew Jones needed to be on a sippy cup by the time I left. My child never took a bottle of anything, so I thought it would be an uphill battle. It wasn't! He was perfectly OK with my milk in a cup. I was the weak one, not him. But with me out of town for three days, he had no choice but to take the cup. And he was perfect. What a relief. He slept great, ate great and played hard. And since I knew he was with Trey and my mom, I was able to relax and have fun. Can't thank those two enough!

So in my opinion, this trip was one for the books in many ways. Yay Jones and the sippy cup!

Lita and Grandaddy visit

My parents stayed with us last weekend. How I wish this was an every weekend occurrence. What a treat!

Jones (and Grandaddy and Lita) had a big time playing in our neighborhood park...

Please notice his wind blown hair. This kid has gotta get a haircut!Our friends met us at the park. Pretty sure the two dads had more fun than the boys.

Grandaddy bought Jones a soccer ball. He is in love with this thing. And is pretty good at kicking it already!

Saturday night we went to The Halfshell. It is one of my very favorite restaurants here. Although, I will admit, I haven't branched out much since I have lived here. I tend to stick to what I know and like.

It was my parent's first trip to The Halfshell - they loved it! So yummy.

Trying his first lemon
Sour...

but wanted more!

While they were here, I made Key Lime Pound Cake from this month's Southern Living. Oh my. It is mighty fine. It may have been as pretty as theirs in the magazine and I made have not used real key limes, but it was still delicious. Trey has already asked for another. They have several pound cake recipes this month. I may try them all. I may also gain 20 pounds in the meantime.

So here is the recipe. Try it for yourself. Delish.

Key Lime Pound Cake
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325°. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
2. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan.
3. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.
4. Prepare Key Lime Glaze, and immediately brush over top and sides of cake. Cool completely (about 1 hour).

Key Lime Glaze
Ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Whisk together powdered sugar, fresh Key lime juice, and vanilla until smooth. Use immediately.

Come back soon, Grandaddy and Lita!

Mother's Day 2010

I am so blessed. I have the most wonderful examples of what a mother should be with my fabulous mommy, mil, and two grandmothers. I got to see them all this mother's day. And how special it was to spend my first mother's day with them. So thankful God has given me the privelage to be Jones' mommy. bI pray I will be even half the mommy that my mom is.