Mother's Day, 2014

Let me tell you, folks, I have pretty high expectations for Mother's Day.  I know it sounds terribly selfish, but in all honesty, I feel like it's the one day in a mother's life where she CAN be selfish! :-)

This year, my family totally came through for me, and I was incredibly grateful.  It was one of those perfect weekends (i.e. times spent in Ireland, or Michigan), and I just didn't want it to end.

The best part?  Ethan was home.  It would be nice to think that he came home just for me, but he had a conference in Washington DC the week before.  What was nice was that he decided to stay for me.  I told him that it rivaled the one Mother's Day when Mark performed the unthinkable:  after attending a regatta in Philadelphia the Saturday before Mother's Day, he drove back to Michigan with his team (it was required), hopped in his car, and drove back to Pennsylvania, through the night, to spend a few short hours with me that day....before driving back to Michigan for an early start on Monday morning.  I'm not going to lie--there's something really beautiful in seeing that kind of devotion from anyone.

The day Mark came home back in 2012.  He still remembers this is as one of those "epic" moments, and of course he still remembers wearing a complete set of clothes to church that were not his :-)  Obviously, his animals were happy to see him too!

It looked like snow!

It was a great weekend.  We did some easy yard work (but not before Ethan had serious flashbacks to some not-so-easy yard work from his teenage years), Ethan brushed Roxy for me (who is currently shedding her winter coat), John fixed the Bush Hog for me (so that I could finish mowing the acres), we ate out, we ate at home, we played games, we watched movies.  John even resisted going for a run on Saturday, and I didn't see him answer his phone once!  It was just relaxing and terrific.  Too, my family went all out for Mother's Day dinner, including gifts.  I don't know what other mother asks for the "Die Hard" trilogy for Mother's Day, but my family was happy oblige.  Glo even went so far as to draw a handgun and bullet on the Hello Kitty wrapping paper :-)

And of course the best moment of the day for the Kennedy family?  Talking to Mark on the phone.  I felt great relief, knowing that this will be the last Mother's Day for a while where I have a missionary out in the field. The connection between here and Russia was terrible, and we're pretty sure the government was listening in (we could hear them clicking in and out), but it was such a happy hour to hear the son and brother whom we all love.  Of course, we didn't stay all righteous and talk solely about missionary work in Russia, but instead starting talking about all the plans we have when we returns to us in a few short months.  I know, I know--not the right thing to do, but we just couldn't contain our excitement!  Too, it was good for Hannie to tell Mark in person about her choice to attend BYU, seeing as he had been instrumental (wink, wink) in helping her make that decision.

Rebecca called also and wished me a happy Mother's Day.  I couldn't thank her enough for allowing her honey to be home with me.  Knowing the two of them, and the friendship and love they share, I know it was a sacrifice.

I know it's cliche, but I'm so thankful to be a mom.  It wasn't always in my life plan, but I'm thankful that when the opportunity was there, I took it.  I've learned a lot along the way, and I'm thankful that it's a job that never ends.