WIWS....Happy Mother's Day from a Real Mom to Real Moms

Happy Mother's Day!!  Today, Ben sent me a card that reads.

Happy Mother's Day to the best mom on the planet!  (plus some other mushy stuff I'm not posting).

Clearly, I'm not the best mom on the planet.  I yell, despite my best intentions to give up yelling for Lent, I still yell.   I've taken my baby to the ER, because I was walking too fast with her in the sling and  tripped and fell (she was fine).   And, then there was the time, I accidentally bought processed/convenience frozen chicken (I was in a rush, and thought I had grabbed just plain, chicken breasts) and served it to everyone on a night I was going out for Mom's Night Out (and not eating dinner with them), they were all wow, this is the best chicken I ever had.    Oh, and we can't forget about the time, I lost John at the zoo, because I was walking too fast. (don't worry, the lost was found).   And my house is a mess, all.the.time.  I get frustrated, I make empty threats, and I don't make them eat enough vegetables.

I could go on and on, but as you can clearly see, I'm not the best mom on the planet.   And, that's okay....because this best mom/dad/secretary/teacher/husband/wife/son/daughter is just Hallmark sentiment...which is fine and nice and all.   But, I think when people say that they have the best mom/dad/husband/wife/teacher/boss what they really mean is best for me.   As in, the person God gave me for a mom/dad/son/daughter/wife/husband/teacher/boss/what-have-you.   Because, everyone is imperfect and everyone fails at times.

So, Happy Mother's Day to all moms, who may not be the absolute best, but are the best for the people God gave them. 

And, here's my annual Mother's Day picture with the kids that make me a mom, and while I'm not the best mom in the word, God decided to give them to me, so I must be the best mom for them. 

Everyone was simply thrilled about posing for pictures again today.  Don't they look thrilled?  They were thrilled.  

And, because this is a WIWS post...here is my WIWS.

Shirt:  thrifted

Tank top: Wal-Mart
Skirt:  Given to me
Shoes: Given to me, same ones I worse last Sunday (I think).
Glasses: Same ones as always, from Zenni

Now, you an go check-out what everyone else wore Sunday. 

Theme Thursday: Mom 3G

Today's Theme Thursday is Mom, so I'm showcasing three generations of mothers...through the maternal line.

Here is a picture of my maternal grandma  (who I was named Amelia after...so glad she wasn't named something like Kunagunda...no offense to any Kunagundas out there).

I

This was taken in the year 2000. She passed away in 2006.   She was a mom to 3, grandmother to 14 and currently has 12 great grandchildren.   She was a super sweet, Italian grandmother who always made sure everyone was well-fed and well-loved. 

This is my mom.

She is doing what she does best, being in charge, and holding up my wedding veil which along with my wedding dress was worn by my grandmother, my mother and me. 

My mom has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. 

While some would describe my mom as being a formidable presence, which is very true, she always has a super big heart and is always willing to help anyone in need and is/was a great mother.

And, this is me, taken last year on Mother's Day.  All 4 of my children are in this picture, but Elsa is still hidden in utero.   

Go see Cari for more motherly pictures. 

Five Favorites (the totally random, unrelated things edition).

I've been feeling a bit stressed/anxious/edgy lately, so this Five Favorites Link-up came along at just the right time.   Blogging always makes me feel better and thinking about my favorite things makes me happy.   So, here they are!

1.

DeMontfort MusicRun by friends of ours, Kevin and Monica Fitzgibbons (writing that kinda makes me feel  important, like we hobnob with celebrities  or something).  Anyway, they just released a beautiful CD from the Benedictines of Mary.  Normally, I don't like music, as with all the noise from kids around, I feel like silence is golden, but this music is so beautiful and uplifting.  

image from demontfortmusic.com

2.

You know how I've mentioned that I've been feeling stressed/edgy/anxious lately.  Well, this supplement has definitely been helping!  It contains high levels of EPA and NO DHA.  For some reason, studies have shown that the high EPA without any DHA really improves mood and brain chemistry.  It's a bit pricey as far as supplements go, but totally, totally worth it. 

image from Amazon.com

3.

The other thing that helps me is eating gluten-free.  And. this flour blend is the BOMB!  I can make ANYTHING gluten-free with it (well, anything I can make normally...I make no claims as to fancy things like doughnuts and bagels...but any muffin, cake, quick bread, pizza crust, yeast bread, scone, popover, etc., etc...I can make gluten-free with this awesome flour blend. 

Image from Amazon.com

4.

Daughters who can bake and decorate a cake all by themselves.  Heidi made this rosary cake (that's supposed to be a rosary on it) for our First Saturday get-together with friends.  It was a big hit..and she did it all by herself  (even clean-up). 

5.

And, in honor of Mother's Day..my Mom.  Here she is with her granddaughters when she came down to visit after Elsa was born. 

Not sure, why Heidi and Greta look so tired...it's not like THEY were up all night nursing a newborn baby? 

 Now, go check out Camp Patton for this week's Five Favorites. 

My 25 best excuses for always being late

Hi, my name is Amelia and I am punctuality-challenged.

It's so bad that when we pull into our destination, the first thing my kids always ask is "Are we late?".

I didn't used to be this way.   BK, before kids, I used to pretty much always be on time.    Even EARLY on occasion.

I know, I know...those of you who know me IRL, in real life, are probably picking yourself up off the floor right about now.   But, it's true. I used to be relatively, on time for things.

Then those pesky kids started popping out and demanding things and well..now, we're perpetually late.

Here's why..

 1. I can't find my keys.

 2. I can't find my cell phone.

 3. I can't find my glasses...which are sitting on top of my head.

 4. I remember at the last minute that we need to bring water bottles and have to fill them.

 5. ..or snacks, and I have to get them.
 
 6. ..or someone's homework/assignment and we have to find it.

 7. Someone can't find their shoes.

 8. ..or their piano books, or their binder, or their equipment, etc.,
etc., etc.

 9. No one heard me the first 50 times I yelled loudly called in a cheerful tone Time to go, put your shoes on.

 10. We walk outside and I realize for the first time that someone has their shirt on backwards

 11. ...or their shorts.

 12. And that same someone thinks wearing clothes the right way is just some silly custom and I spend 5 minutes arguing on why we shouldn't wear our shorts inside out and backwards.

 13. I realize as we are walking out the door that certain children have not yet brushed their hair today and it looks like a rat's nest and simply MUST be brushed before we venture out in public.

 14. A certain someone decides that the 15 minutes before we have to leave is the perfect time for a marathon nursing session.
 
 15  And then that same someone needs a diaper change after marathon nursing session.

16. Someone simply MUST finish whatever super, important, absolutely vital thing they are doing and if they don't finish it before we leave, THE WORLD WILL SURELY END.

17. Someone put on their dress shoes to walk to the park...or their sneakers to go to church.

18. Someone is suddenly STARVING and needs a snack.

19. As we're walking out the door, I realize that someone's clothes are dirty or stained and need to be changed.

20. We walk out the door and realize it is cooler than we thought and need sweaters/jackets.

21. We walk out the door and realize it is warmer than we thought and we will roast in jeans and long-sleeves.

22. Someone decides to ask A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION, just as it's time to leave.

23. Everyone has to go to the bathroom, at the same time...and we only have 2 bathrooms.

24. We MUST check the mail before we leave. 'Cause, you never know...this just might be the day that we get a letter informing us that we've just inherited $100,000 dollars from a long-lost wealthy relative..but we have to make the reading of the will by tomorrow or we lose everything. Hey..it could happen.


25. I got lost...even though I've been there before...and even though I have a GPS...because I'm also directionally-challenged.

 So there you have it folks. If we show up late...pick one of these excuses and you'll have the reason why!