A Picnic Surprise Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to my sweet mother in law! I am so blessed to partake in the inheritance of blessing the Lord has bestowed on her- her children. I am married to the Love of my life and her oldest son. We have two beautiful children who light up there GG's (Gorgeous Grandma) life as well as ours! 

These past few years we have left for vacation during her birthday making me want to celebrate her before we left this year. But more than that she blesses us so much all the time with her generosity and in lavashing our children with love. In light of this I decided a surprise birthday party was in order! I do love to host people and bring them together to celebrate and bless others! So we planned it and were able to keep it a secret until the day of-barely! Here are a few glimpses of this beautiful night where we celebrated our all American gal! 

Dad brought her over to "let Josh borrow a tool" on their way to dinner. "She should come in to see the babies before they went to bed," he strongly suggested. She walked in and Our sweet little Giselle hurt her finger on the door. So we and the 20+ people in our dinning room waited patiently for GG to console her before we yelled surprise!  

She was completely surprised and I love how she just embraces Josh! This is one the things I love the most about her she is always ready to hug you and put you at ease! 

I loved how surprised she was and how excited she was to see everyone as she went around the room hugging each person there! 

I set up the porch for an indoor picnic since it rained all week long, until 3 hours before the party. 

A make your own Sandwich station was set up showcasing some amazing bread and awesome fixings! 

I was so excited some of her Sisters were able to make it and totally surprised her! 

I love celebrating birthdays with friends too they add such a sweet dimension to birthday celebrations! 

We had a make your own s'mores bar, again show casing an all American Summer tradition! 

Her birthday cake was so delish! Made in town at Love Cakes by DLM ( a local grocer) 

These beautiful peonies also came from Dorothy Lane Market. 

I love how the cake looked with the sparklers instead of candles. 

When I saw this porch I envisioned having people over and spending time out here! I am so excited that one of my first events was in honor of my mother in law! The rest are pictures of the sweet friends and family that came together to celebrate this beautiful woman because she means so much to all of us! 

We love you so much Pattie and I pray that this year you understand even little more how deep and wide His love for you is! Happy birthday! 

I could not have done it all without help! Josh, thank you for helping me and supporting my vision for this evening! Robin, thank you for listening to my heart from the very beginning as I began to think about this event! Thank you for coming early and staying late, so my kitchen could be completely clean before bed! 

To all who gave of their time and brought sides, drink and food thank you! What a blessing it is to bless others! 

Motherhood

Motherhood

I am so honored to belong to this tribe. Motherhood has rocked me to the core. I have been stretched, challenged and filled with indescribable joy all in a matter of minutes.

I see motherhood as a charge- " Do not fear, be strong and very courageous." (Joshua 1:7) 

Mother noun
The definition of a mother is a woman who gives birth or who has the responsibility of physical and emotional care for specific children.

Mother noun

1. Motherhood is the state or experience of having and raising a child.

These definitions from the dictionary  are very literal but at least they add a little depth. There is an emotional care that needs to happen for both Mother and child. I believe that it is emotionally where the greatest intensity of motherhood is experienced.  Emotions fly high with mothers and children so much so that sometimes we are blinded by our emotions, as we let them take over.

 

 I observe my babes and how hard managing their emotions is for them. They are intensely learning to feel them, understand them and experience them safely. When I take a step back I observe myself, even with a few years under my belt the struggle is real. All the emotions that I see fly across my babes faces are happening to me internally and unfortunately sometimes I can't control them either.

So then I pray, "Lord, this is where you have called me to be strong and very courageous." This where instead of just going on with the day I stop bend down and apologize to the sweet faces looking up at me. I stop and humble myself because it is my responsibility to care for them including their hearts. I want them to see me peacefully control my emotions when dealing with a situation, so that they can learn how to then do the same themselves. Oh I have so much to learn still...

one of the things that has helped me is surrounding myself with godly women. These women love their children and can be real with me about their struggle and pour into my heart encouraging this young mom.

So this year I invited some of the women that have poured into me without hesitation and with unconditional love over for Mother's Day brunch. I love watching them with their own children who are growing up and becoming adults under their tutelage. I love asking them questions and hearing their hearts of how the Lord led them through this journey of motherhood. I love that they pull me in and encourage me not only by loving me but by loving my children as well. I love that I don't feel alone anymore because before me have gone an amazing group of women who have welcomed me and continue to usher me into this journey with tears, love and joy. How many more I would have loved to have around my table and maybe one day soon I will be able to. I love how the Lord is even in the small details of our lives. He orchestrates our paths to cross and for women to touch each others hearts deeply in this journey of motherhood.

 

Here are a few glimpses of our beautiful brunch and what a wonderful time it was! Thank you friends so much, for taking the time to invest in us, to hold our hands, to teach us how to love our husbands and our children. We all need each other, thank you again.

 

Gracefully,

Daisy