First Mother's Day

"He has made all things beautiful in its time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11

It's true.  This Mother's Day was beautiful.  From waking up to a baby who had soaked the bed in her sleep...to ending it rocking her on the front porch.  All of it was beautiful!  However, I realize that not everyone had a beautiful Mother's Day.  I remember all too well the feelings I had on this day when I was waiting to be called Mama.  I have not forgotten those of you who are still waiting and longing and struggling.  I remembered you on Mother's Day.  And I prayed for you.  And I smiled because I know what joy you WILL experience when your first Mother's Day comes around.  It will be beautiful in its time.  I promise.

As we prepared for Millie Janalee's dedication, I talked over some ideas with my family about how I can invite both sides of our family for a lunch following the service.  I mentioned a local bed and breakfast and asked for ideas.  My sister ended up offering her home for our lunch.  We combined the celebration of our mothers, grandmothers, and Millie Janalee!

Russ's sister made and decorated Millie Janalee's cake, and it was precious!  It was also delicious!  It's still delicious...and makes a great breakfast!  Word around Sunday afternoon was that it was the best cake they had ever eaten.  Yep.  My sister-in-law is a cake expert!  I'm so thankful that she was able to make Millie Janalee's day extra special.

We had a delightful afternoon on Lee and Kristin's patio under their brand new pergola that Lee built with his own hands!  Lee was the grill-master, and the food was so yummy!  He grilled 30 burgers and even singed the hairs on his fingers and arms in the process.  Bless him!  We enjoyed a spread of grilled sausage, cheese, fruit skewers, cookies, corn dip, chips, hamburgers, and the fixins.

Millie Janalee loves her Susu

Not everyone was able to stick around after church for pictures.  My mom, sister, and Lee needed to get back to the house to start the grill and get the food ready.  Others needed to gather their own families to carpool over to lunch.  So when we finally entered Kristin and Lee's, Millie Janalee got ready for another set of dedication pictures. Ha!

Elle, Jenny, Millie Janalee, and Grace

Elle, Will, and Millie Janalee

You can tell that she's really not used to all the camera attention.  Yeah right!  Ha!  She is such a poser.  My mom said that she posed up front during her dedication too.  Like it was all about her.  Funny girl!

Beautiful in His time!

I brought something a little more comfortable for Millie Janalee, so we changed her clothes before getting ready to relax and visit our families.  If only I had brought a change of clothes for Mama and Daddy.

Susu, Millie Janalee, me, and Auntie Kristin

Millie Janalee, Russ, and Granmomma

While everyone visited and snacked on appetizers, I really didn't see Millie Janalee much.  Ha!  Not that this is anything new when we visit our hometown.  She stayed in the living room visiting with my Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, Aunt Gail (and, sadly, I really didn't get good pictures of them), my cousin and her daughter, and Maw Maw most of that time.  I enjoyed a nice lunch with family outside on the most beautiful day uninterrupted and without dumping out puffs every few minutes.  It was refreshing.

Maw Maw and me

Jeff, Jenny, Will, Seth, and Grace

Amanda chasing after Anna Claire...with Pawpaw, "Aunt Nana", and Uncle Donald visiting by the swing

Kristin and Lee have a ginormous back yard!  Like huge.  So, Anna Claire and Grace had a ball chasing each other around, exploring, swinging, and picking little flowers to bring back inside.  Grace was very sweet and took great care of Anna Claire.  They were inseparable.

Grace and Anna Claire

When everyone had finished their lunch, we all headed inside to cut the cake and grab dessert.  Millie Janalee made a giant lunge toward the cake, so I let her dig in with her fingers.  She wasn't really sure what to do.   Ha!  She mashed it around in her hand for minute, until Russ helped her out.  I think she was a fan of Aunt Jenny's cake too!

Millie Janalee's first taste of icing

Cutting the cake

After cake and more visiting, we gathered in Kristin's sunroom area for Millie Janalee to open her gifts.  She has been so blessed in her short life with so much love from our family.  Pretty girl is spoiled sweet for sure!  And that's okay by me.  Spoiled sweet is just fine.  Spoiled brat is not.  Hopefully, Russ and I can help her keep her distance from the latter.

Opening her tiny diamond cross necklace from Maw Maw

Auntie Kristin and Uncie Lee gave her a tiny Ronaldo bracelet.

Look at her little face!  Susu and Pawpaw gave her a sweet jewelry box with a twirling ballerina inside for all her precious jewels.  It looks just like one I used to have when I was little.

After opening the rest of her little gifts and happies, Millie Janalee took a nap on Susu in the big rocking chair while the rest of us visited some more and began cleaning up.  When she woke up, she was ready to go again!  Such a happy baby!  Uncie Bucket and Aunt Nana got some playtime in too.

"Aunt Nana" and Millie Janalee

Uncie Bucket and Millie Janalee

Yep.  My first Mother's Day was beautiful!  And worth the wait.  I could never have imagined the beauty of God's plan when I was buried in my sorrows and longings.  Now I know.  And I am filled with JOY!  I'm so thankful for our families who made short trips across town or up to a four hour drive to celebrate with us!  We love you all!

Sweet Party of Three!

From our family to yours...Happy Mother's Day now or in the future!