mother's day weekend

Our weekend started great on Friday because the weather was finally warmer. 

Cade was pretty excited to wear shorts to Mrs. Kim's

This is just about the only pic you're going to get of this fast-moving-15-month-old these days...

Don't mind that baby mullet.

Friday night we celebrated Rebecca's big 40th birthday! She's the sister of my bestie Ruth and she's one of my great friends as well since I think of her like "another sister". 

me, julie and ruth. 

DHS cheerleading captain (ruth) and co-captains (me and julie) circa 2001.

It seems just like yesterday! 

Such a great "mini-reunion" with these girls.

She may be 40 but let me tell you folks, I sure hope I look this good when I'm 40!

This woman rocks!

On Saturday we had a fun Sugar/Voila/Frilly Frog fashion show. 

Fashion shows are always semi-stressful but oh so worth it. 

Here's some of the girls posing in their casual Summer outfits!

Sunday I enjoyed my second mother's day. Still surreal. 

I spent so much time praying and praying to be a mommy and some days I just have to pinch myself to make sure this is REAL!

I am forever blessed to be this sweet boy's mama. 

Goodness, there are no words to express the joy he has brought into our lives!

As far as gifts go, Chad knew there was NO way he could top last year. 

That's right folks - he surprised me last year on Mother's Day with another wedding band....a band I had joked I "needed" as a "push-present", but never honestly thought I would receive until our 10 year anniversary, maybe. (That's what he kept hinting towards) So yes, after receiving that last year Chad said this year "Ummm I hope you know I can't top that so I'm not even trying". Bless.

Not expected but I'll be honest...he actually did top last year. 

What present is far greater and more precious than diamonds?

This.

Because anyone can buy a diamond band. I could have bought one, Chad could have bought one.

But this gift would have never been possible without the greatest gift of all, our baby boy!

Priceless.

I was thrilled Chad took the time to do this with Cade. Such a sweet daddy.

They both melt my heart over and over.

Cade also "made" me this at Mrs. Kim's. The kid is quite crafty, I tell ya.

After church Sunday, I cooked lunch (super easy crockpot lunch. I mean I can't break too much of a sweat on Mother's Day, c'mon now) and mom, court and mack came over. Cade cried to go home with his Grami and even though I was sad to see him go for a bit, that left me to do what? Take a nap while Chad cleaned the kitchen. Something I never get to do and it was glorious!

After naps, we went to Papa Jack's and Grandma Frieda's in Abbeville for dinner.

The temps dropped so good thing Mimi & Papa bought little man a new jacket (along with lots of other goodies) from their Alabama trip last weekend.

New Bass Pro Shop hat. Backwards. I die. 

These two are the best of friends. They share everything, even chairs...

Yes, Carter is wearing muck boots with shorts and his sunglasses on his hat like a true country boy would. Boys will be boys! Doesn't get any cuter than this...

or this...

Hilarious. They keep us laughing!

After another long day, nap or no nap, one thing is for sure. Being a mom is the most rewarding, yet EXHAUSTING job there is. Can I get an amen? :)

Wouldn't trade it for the world!!

 Thank you Lord for your blessings. I will never take them for granted, for I know just how precious they are. For those who are spending countless nights praying for a little blessing of their own, I know Mother's Day isn't easy. The one after our miscarriage, after months of trying again, was the worst for me. I can't tell you how many nights I laid on that same spot of the couch above, reading fertility books...baby books...the bible...pleading and begging God to hear my prayers. And guess what? Not only does God HEAR them, but GOD ANSWERS THEM! All in His time, not ours.

 Your time will come and I am also praying it is soon. 

xoxo