Mother's Week 2013

Bryon and Kai always spoil me the whole week leading up to Mother's Day.  Although just being a mom is enough in itself, it's pretty special to be spoiled above and beyond for a whole week.  Thanks guys!  

Here's what we were up to this year...

This plate of cookies was waiting for me when I got up on Monday morning :)

Lots of fun games, clues, and activities came throughout the week.

Finally, I figured out that we were going to Neskowin for the weekend.  So, on Saturday we were off and away to the beach!

Our first day was beautiful and warm and sunny.

Mother's Day pictures with my big boy.  Love him!

The weather on Sunday was not very nice, but the view out over the trees to the ocean was still beautiful.

Out for Mother's Day breakfast at a fantastic bakery in Pacific City.

After breakfast, we headed to the beach to fly my new kite (one of my clues from the previous week).

Puzzle time/American geography lesson thanks to the well-stocked toys/games cupboard
at our vacation rental.

Of course, we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the way home.

Kai was mesmerized, as were we!  Who knew cheese could be so fascinating?

And, that was our lovely long-weekend away.  Thanks Bryon and Kai for celebrating motherhood with me!

Sidenote:  I hesitate a bit in sharing the following, but am feeling like I need to open up a bit and ask for your prayers.
Mother's Day is slightly bittersweet to me.  In one sense, I have an amazing, healthy son who I love more than I ever thought possible.  But, my heart still aches for the baby we lost last year and for the baby we wish we could have now.  I often question why this has to be happening to us...why we can't experience the joy of more children and why we can't give Kai the sibling he wishes he had. He would be the best big brother and he asks us often if he can have a sister.  He claims he doesn't need a brother because he's already the brother :)  So, he keeps praying for a sister, and doesn't understand why God hasn't answered his prayers yet.  He also doesn't understand why we can't just buy a baby at Target.  If only!  It breaks my heart to see him missing out on this part of life.  I want him to experience the joy of being a sibling...I want his kids to have an aunty or an uncle and cousins.  For myself, I want a house and car and yard filled with the laughter of our children.  I know I am blessed beyond measure already, but somehow my heart aches for more.  I don't think our journey is over yet, but sometimes it's just really hard to wait and see how it will unfold.  

I would love your prayers.