Mother's Day Weekend

My parents last minute came to Houston for 24 hours on their way to go to Lufkin to visit my grandfather this past weekend. They came in Friday morning and were met by a somewhat off little toddler. After taking Justin to the doctor after they left on Saturday, we realized we have yet another ear infection. The make of a great mother is not when their children are well but when they are sick. And I fail miserably at never raising my voice or giving Justin more than enough patience when he is extra whiney and not feeling good at all. But thankfully I have been issued grace and am forgiven when I am not 100% compassionate. After all, I still want my mom when I feel under the weather.

This Sunday marked the one year anniversary of me changing the way I looked at photography. I took Kathy Adams Clark's photography class on May 10, 2008, and things have never been the same since. If only I had not decided to figure out so much on the editing side of photos, then I might be more prompt on my blog posts and less picky with the final photo. Since I'm so behind, all these photos are SOOC (straight out of the camera). It's been a blast to have a new passion, and it's funny to look back at photos I took beforehand. Oh well - no looking back now. This OCD momma is only going forward.

But first things first. My mom brought corn from Iowa to pop old fashioned popcorn. They popped the kernels off...

...and awaited the popcorn to come out. Then we buttered and salted the popcorn My mom made this a lot as our after school snack growing up. I realized this weekend that I still don't like it this way. I just prefer the bag. Justin was confused, as he kept giving my mom the microwave popcorn bag from the pantry to pop.

On Sunday Derek and I took turns going to Sunday School and church so that Justin wouldn't be in the nursery. After a naptime, we went to Collina's for dinner. I took a few photos after someone threw lots of spaghetti on the floor (and yes, he did get reprimanded for it). This is Derek's favorite photo - says it's more natural. Ah, the difference in our favorites. I prefer the big smiley ones, more my cup of tea you could say.

I like the big grins myself. Show off the dimples more.

Mommy and Justin

After dinner and some Baskin Robbins, we went home for our bath. During swim lessons, Miss Georgia told us to work on Justin putting his face in the water. This weekend my mom was brilliant and put the magnetic alphabet letters in the tub. This little boy turned into a fish pretty quickly. Here we are floating on our back.

Holding our breath and diving face down to get his letters.

Congratulations - you got the letter C.

This photo makes me want to pee in my pants.

So happy. This is truly what being a mother is all about - the good and the bad times. The funny bath times mixed in with the aches and pains of an illness.

I am fortunate to be a mother. The miracle of conception is still bewildering to me. Such praises as friends who we have been praying for for years are now conceiving. Such thankfulness that Derek and I had such wonderful mothers who modeled what true sacrifice is all about. Mom & Mary Beth - thank you for your unconditional love!