My Birthday and Mother's Day

This past weekend was so much fun. Not only did I get to enjoy my birthday celebration with my family and friends, but Emma gave me purpose to celebrate my first Mother's Day! Trenton did everything possible to make it the best day ever! On Saturday, we woke up bright and early, grabbed Emma and Gary, and drove to Woodland Park for my favorite doughnuts from the Donut Mill. It's this old-fashioned breakfast spot that I have been going to since I was two. I have so many happy memories of going there whenever we went camping, on long road trips, or just because we felt like it. Then we went swimming at Shannon's pool, saw "What Happens in Vegas", and had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, P.F. Chang's. I felt more than loved!

Heather got me the most beautiful tea cup and saucer from one of my favorite shops in Old Colorado City

Strawberries, Blueberries, Cream, Lady Fingers...Could a cake be any more perfect?

Mother's day was especially wonderful this year. I love my Emma so much and it's hard to believe that she is already almost five months old! If you had talked to me three years ago and told me I'd have a daughter as darling as mine, with her perfect little fingers and toes, and rosebud lips...I would have laughed. But here I am, with spit up in my hair and battle-scars to bear...I am a mommy. That being said...Mom, I can't believe you did this six times!!!







I had a "salad supper" at my house for my side of the family. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon...perfect day for dinner out on the deck. I love the month of May!

On top of the sweet gifts I have been given for my birthday and Mother's Day, we got a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Loredo.

My dear, sweet, darling Emma. Today is Mother's day, May 11, 2008 and what an incredible day it has been. You made me a mommy! I don't even know where to begin when it comes to expressing the love that I have for you. You are almost five months old and I am really getting to know you...and you are really starting to get to know me. From the moment you were born I have had this unbreakable attachment to you and overwhelming love, but in the last couple of days you have become increasingly attached to me! How timely Emma...just in time for Mother's day! Everyday I am blown away by how smart you are, and beautiful and happy. You are so eager to try new things and I can tell your little body is holding you back from all the things you're dying to try. You'll grow fast enough for the both of us. I love you so much. The word love doesn't do any justice for the emotion I experience whenever I am near you, see you, or even think of you. You have done so many things for me Emma. You have made me a stronger, happier, healthier, braver woman. With you, I feel like I can tackle all my fears and trials with ease and you have given me the type of responsibility that was necessary for me to jump beyond myself and be part of something that is much, much bigger than I am. While I have always had a purpose on this earth, yours is truly the most profound and perfect. I feel honored to be your mommy and I will spend the rest of my life trying to repay you for all that you have done for me.
We are going to have so much fun! I absolutely love my life because of you! Every morning when I wake up I get giddy inside at the thought of walking into your room and seeing your little head poke up out of the crib with the biggest smile slapped across your face. I love holding you and feeling your breath against my neck. I love when we're in the car and I hear you yawn in the backseat and coo and laugh. I adore when you're standing on my lap and you tap your little feet like you're doing a dance, and you get so excited Emma...about everything! When someone walks in the room you smile. If someone looks at you, you smile. If another baby is laughing, you laugh. When Gary licks your face, you smile. I love when I'm walking around with you on my hip because you just fit there as if my hips were carved to match your sweet, little body. You cling to me like a little monkey as I go about my business. You love me. I can tell when we're in a crowded room. You're perfectly content being passed around and sharing your affection with others, but as soon as you're handed back to me you bury your little face in the crook of my neck and then turn to look at me straight in the eyes. You have your moments of playfulness, but there are times when you look so deeply in my eyes as if you're searching for my soul, and you must find it because you have this all-knowing smile. I understand that you won't always be my tiny little Emma 'nae ('nae 'nae, naner-bug, bubus, sugar pea, flower, punkin, baba-girl, Emma-nade, Em, Emma-nem, little turtle etc...) and I won't always get to excitedly select your outfits and hair bows and give you baby massages, but you will ALWAYS be my darling daughter.
 I vow to be the best mommy I can possibly be for you. I am trying my hardest to raise you to be a kind, compassionate, respectful, polite, creative, happy, genuine, intelligent, self-sufficient, honest, clean, well-rounded woman. I hope to bring you up believing in the beauty and good in the world. There are always going to be horrible things, in every land, through every generation. What is more rare than a diamond, however, is an optimistic (not naive) woman who chooses to leave the world better than she found it. I thank Heavenly Father every day for this opportunity, to be your mom, and I pray with all my heart that I can be the person you need me to be, to help you become the person you are supposed to be. I love you Emma. I love everything about you, down to your sweet little toes and pouty, rose-bud lips. Daddy and I are here for you, no matter what happens throughout your life...we will ALWAYS love you and I will make it my life's mission to be sure you never have to wonder how much your parents love you. And I also want you to know how much your father and I love each other. We are hopelessly, unabashedly in love. He is my best friend and we have so much fun together. You have completed a very loving puzzle. My sweet baby, as I write this you are sleeping soundly across the hall, and I want you to know that as soon as I type my last word and close my computer I will be walking into your room to kiss your chubby cheek and wish you sweet dreams. I hope that no matter how old you are as you're reading this that you can perceive the love that is dripping from every sentence. You're my heart, Emma, and you've given me a very memorable Mother's day.

From the bottom of my heart, I love you!
Mommy

Have a wonderful month!
I love you all!!!

Janet, Trenton and Emma