The Day After...

The day after Mother’s Day began bright and early at 6:04am. Why? Because that is when my precious, sweet child decided it was time to get up. I was a lot little bummed. But I re-checked my attitude (because that is what you do the day after Mother’s Day) and we started our day.

I had to be very productive today because this weekend I did nothing in terms of a clean house, laundry and cooked meals. I did work a garage sale with my friend on Friday and Saturday / Nik and I went on a double-date / and I had a night out at the movies with a few friends! A very fun weekend, indeed. And to top it all off…I had a great Mother’s Day!

Late Saturday night, when I got in from my night out with friends I had a card on the table. (We have begun to do ’Sunday’ Holiday stuff on Saturday - because Sundays can be so busy and hectic for us). The card included a sweet hand-written letter from Nik and a gift card to a local spa where I can pick and choose a massage, pedicure, facial…etc. SUPER SWEET!

On Mother’s Day we went to church and then to our small group for lunch and study. We got home late that afternoon and Jaxen did not want to nap. So I let him skip a nap because honestly, I did not want to fight with him on Mother’s Day! The rest of the afternoon Nik, Jaxen and I vegged-out and Nik ordered Chinese food for dinner. Then (without telling Nik) I ate the last piece of chocolate cake that was leftover from our group lunch. I didn’t even ask…just did it. Later that night, when he went to split the cake with me for dessert…it was gone! Ooops! I was not being very thoughtful! And I felt really bad about it!

So, the day after Mother’s Day…

I worked on a ton of laundry, cleaned the entire downstairs, re-arranged some things, went to the grocery store, cooked dinner, and made a chocolate cake! (Actually, Nik made the cake while I cooked dinner, to help me out - but I made sure we had all the ingredients and planned on making the cake!)

Nik is a pretty good baker!

I also tried to make sure my attitude was in-check when dealing with Jaxen. Over Mother’s Day (or any holiday) you ponder things and are thankful and know you are blessed and hopefully you hear or read something that challenges you. Over the past couple of weeks I have read or heard some things that have challenged me. They have pushed me and they are making me want to be better. A better mom. And today, the day after Mother’s Day I tried. I succeeded in some areas and failed in some areas. And that’s okay!

Something I read and had to write down so I didn’t forget it was:

What messes up our life most - 

is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like.

Think about that.

That statement challenged me. As well as thinking about the things I want Jaxen to ‘walk away’ with when he leaves our home and ventures out on his own. Not the physical, material things. The things that will shape who he is…and I am challenged to think about what I am doing now to begin shaping him and giving him those things.

The day after Mother’s Day my heart is heavy for those who long to be a mother, for those who have lost children, and for mothers who have passed away. This day can be a tough holiday.

But also, I am thankful and so blessed to have the mom I have. And for my mother-in-law. And for all the ladies in my life who have at one time or another “mothered” me. Thank you.

The day after Mother’s Day as I lay down with Jaxen for his nap - I am overwhelmed with love for that little boy who made me a mother.