Madre.

Not flesh of my flesh,

nor bone of my bone,

but still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute

you didn't grow under my heart

but in it.

Fleur Conkling Heyliger.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, Stepmoms, Adoptive Moms & Momma Role Models out there! I hope you all had as wonderful day!! I want to especially wish my own Mom & Step Mom a wonderful Mothers Day! It is because of them, that I am who I am today. 

My Mother is wonderful. Perfect even. Growing up, I never doubted her love for me for an instant. I also never doubted that she would absolutely knock me into next week for being disrespectful. She is exactly the Mother I hope to me. She is a strong, loving, kind woman who constantly shows others the love of Jesus thru her actions. But she is not to be trifled with. I love her with all of my heart. 

Though we didn't always see eye to eye growing up, it is because of her that I opened myself to the possibility of being a Step Mother. The whole "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" theory, shows me everyday how much of her time and love she freely gave up for me. Being a stop mom is not easy. In fact, it's pretty darn hard .  These children that I devote my life to are not mine, though I try and  love them like they are.  Though I am the only Mother they know most days, I am not their Mother.   If it had not been for my own Step Mother, I would never have considered this feat. She has shown me it is possible to love, care, support & nurture a step child just as your own. She has been a wonderful example to me and I appreciate & love her more every single day. I can't imagine the stress I brought my Step Mother during my all knowing attitude  filled teen years. Bless her for loving me thru them. She has been so accepting of John & the mini Branditos & from day one has gone above an beyond to include the Brandito bunch into our every growing family! She is an amazing woman. 

The Hubs and Mini Brandtitos spoiled me this Mothers Day. The girls made me some lovely crafts, and Annabelle's brought me some flowers she grew in class. I also received a Starbucks coffee GC (cause I NEED my coffee somedays) & a gift card for a massage (because I love them & when I'm very rich I'll have my own masseuse).  After church we headed to Socio's for lunch, which is one of my fave's. The Mini's even got their own pizza dough to create a creation of their choosing. Gav was not interested in making his own creation, but he was very interested in eating a load of pepperoni pizza!  

We finished the day with a visit to my Momma & StepMomma. The girls lucked out and even got a brief ride from Auntie M on her fancy borrowed bike.  It was a pretty perfect day! 

 Oh the Joys of Being an Aunt