Mother's Day / Big 54!

One of the drawbacks to having a May birthday, if you're female, is that sometimes you may have to celebrate both Mother's Day and birthday on the same day.  It's happened a few times in my life and I've never liked it.  But this year was different

Besides being on an Alaskan cruise with most of my family, which was a real treat, my Mother's Day / Birthday was unmatched this year.   (More about the cruise will be posted in a day or two if more posts about that adventure aren't up yet.)  I had my mom with me for the first time in I can't remember how long.  All of my children and all but two (missed you J and Z!) were with me.  We arranged for a private room on board at 11 AM Sunday morning and each of the men gave a short talk about motherhood.  Thanks, Guys.  It was awesome!

The kids got both my mom and me charm necklaces.  It was a big surprise.  I got two that day and each day of the cruise after that, one child gave us each a charm for our necklaces.  If the final picture of the necklace is not posted here, check back again in a day or two.  It's beautiful!

Waiting for the Mother's Day celebration to begin

Hubby T doing the Dad thing and welcoming everyone.  Look at how nice son, J, the Cougar, looks.  he takes his Sunday dress seriously even on a cruise ship!

Youngest to oldest was the order of the talks.  Youngest son, B was so sweet.  He gave us our necklaces and explained what we could expect during the week.  

Eldest daughter A, gave me a beautiful sterling silver charm that has the inscription "Dream"  She said she chose it because I had taught her to believe in herself and know that whatever she dreamed, she could achieve.  If I helped her achieve even a tiny bit of what she has done and become in her life, I am very proud!  She is a great mom, wife, daughter sister, worker, leader, and more that I can put down here.

J, the 2nd Ute, read some awesome scriptures about honoring parents.  He's great.

Son J, the Cougar, besides saying some wonderful things, also presented his sweet wife with a charm necklace and her first charm.

Son, J, the Cougar, presented me with a charm in the shape of a book.  He said that he appreciated the emphasis that all throughout his growing up years, I had made him focus on learning, doing his homework and excelling academically.  I am so proud of any effect I have had on his success, but know that J was born with many gifts and talents and has magnified them.  He's a son to be very proud of.

I can't remember the charm he gave to his Grammy, but we both were in tears.

Daughter in law, A, the Cougar, thanking her husband for the necklace and charm.

Son-in-law, J, the BBQ'er, said some tender things about mothers.

Son-in-law J, the 1st Ute, after some very kind remarks about mothers, gathered his children around him and said that it wouldn't be Mothers Day without a song.  Then they sang "I Often Go Walking..."  I loved it!

It was one of the best Mothers Day/ Birthday I've ever had!