Happy Mother's Day

After Smith's baby dedication church service, Kristin and Lee hosted a beautiful reception for our family.  We are so incredibly grateful to the family who were able to attend the service and who joined us to celebrate afterward.  Smith doesn't know any different now, but one day he will look back and see the love we have for him - our second child, our first boy, our only Smith.  Such a blessing!

As usual, Kristin had it decorated perfectly.  We reused all of Hughes's dedication decorations, but it took effort and time to set it up the morning before church.  And I am thankful. Russ and I basically dropped off the food we had made the night before and she plated it and had it looking very nice.

I'm pretty sure it was the hottest day of the year so far, but we didn't care!  We enjoyed the sunshine and family as we waited on Russ to grill the burgers.  Many times, on Mother's Day, we neglect to recognize the ones who help us in this mothering job.  Our hubbies.  I am thankful for all he does for our family.  He is a hard worker and provides for us so that we have everything we need...and even lots of things we want.  He loves his babies and is learning patience as he goes. He's learning just as much how to be patient with me as he is with our opinionated 2 year old and our high maintenance 7 month old.  It's a learning process. Ha!  He loves well.

We took some official family pictures too, of course.  Ha!

My side of the family

Russ's sister and her family

The last time Russ and I celebrated a baby dedication, Millie Janalee was 9 months old!  Where did the rest of that time go?!  She was having quite the day, and this is as much of a smile as we got...but I love that face just as much as her smiling face.  Pouty, grouchy, or giggly and bubbly.  She's all mine!  And I love her so!  This girl that made me a mama first.

We had technical difficulties with the grill that may or may not have included a grease fire...so we played and visited while we waited.  The burgers were cooked VERY QUICKLY and were actually very good!  Always an adventure with us.

Seth, Grace, and Millie Janalee playing with the ball pit

Aunt Jenny took over Smith

We enjoyed a nice lunch in the sun and heat, and several of our guests ended up finding a seat in the shade.

After lunch, we all came inside for cake and gifts.  Several of our guests were kind enough to help bring things inside.  Many hands make the work light, right?

Seth bringing in my shoes.  He loves me!  Ha!

We enjoyed delicious cake made by Russ's sister and yummy cookies made my my sister - they are pretty much way more talented than I am!  While we enjoyed cake, Smith opened some of his gifts.

He knew exactly what to do...eat the tissue paper!

Forget the gifts!  Let's grab the paper!

He loves his sweet little lamb.

Nana gave him this precious pillow for his new room after we move.

Special baby ring from Susu and Pawpaw.  And he couldn't keep his hands off this sweet book from MawMaw.

It was a sweet day for me.  My third Mother's Day.  My first Mother's Day as Smith's mama.  And each Mother's Day just keeps getting better and better.  Because of these blessings.

So immeasurably more!