Mother's Day 2010

This is me a month ago. Chelsea is growing and getting stronger. It is so awesome to feel her moving. I am so busy this pregnancy caring for the other four that I feel like I don't get a chance all the time to savor the moments of motherhood. But when I do slow down it is nice to marvel about the wonder of being a mother and having a precious child across my belly. Today I moved the rocking chair into our room. A little here and a little there I am getting ready for her.



On Mothers' Day the kids and Mike made me breakfast (toasted wheat bagel with cream cheese, fresh cut grapefruit and orange juice---perfect.) Then I opened all of their little gifts they made at school. I love those. Mike gave me a molding kit and frame to place Chelsea's handprint/footprint and picture in. It was very nice. Later at church, I was one of four "secret guest" moms that stood hidden behind blankets and answered questions (in disguised voices) until the Primary kids could guess who we were. We did it twice, for Jr. and Sr. Primary. It was really fun. For dinner we went to my parents' and had BBQ chicken, salads, rolls, lemonade and a delicious cheesecake with apple topping that Mike made. I got two flats of petunias to put into my yard from my wonderful parents---now if the rain will stop so I can do that!



While I am talking about moms I wanted to write briefly about mi madre in the Canary Islands, Olga Herminia Caceres Gonzales. On Saturday, May 1st we got the message from her daughter that Olga had left this life after a two year battle with cancer. I think of them daily and we pray for her family. The kids have kept her in their prayers for over a year now. We told the kids and about fifteen minutes later I found Joshua crying. I took a moment to talk to him. (I will mention this all occurred at our friend's home that we were staying at for a weekend get-away.) Our family feels quite the tie to our dear friends in the Canary Islands. It was so nice to be able to meet her and stay in her home last June. She cared for Mike as a missionary and she certainly cared for Mike and I while we were there. She made amazing meals and her food was excellent! She did our laundry and traveled with us when she could. Luckily while we were there she had finished her chemo and she had a break from treatments. She smiled and laughed and hugged us. She bore her testimony to us and told us of her family history work. She flew to Madrid and attended the temple when she could. She was a wonderful example of a mother who cared for her family and others and who was faithful to the very end. Again I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her and I will miss knowing she is in the background when we chat or web-cam with her daughter, Dacil. Thanks for your example, Olga, we will miss you!