Waiting for Rainbows: Mother's Day and Father's Day 2015

Mother's Day and Father's day is about celebrating motherhood and fatherhood. It recognizes the special journey that Jay and I are blessed to be a part of. It also is a tangible reminder of the places that we have been as we are both very blessed by our mother's and father's in our own lives. These days are usually full of love and laughter and time together. While our time together as a family was truly perfect, it was still a difficult holiday emotionally as I missed my mom terribly on this day, wishing that I was celebrating with her. I realized that it doesn't matter how old you are, you miss your mom no matter what. I took a lot of time remembering the best things about her, mostly how she dedicated her life to caring and providing for her children physically and emotionally. Most of all, I miss her love that glued our family and myself together more than I ever realized before. My girls will be forever blessed that they have met her and may they have a lifetime of memories in their heart of someone who loved them so very much. In her memory, the girls and I planted flowers, which will be a yearly tradition. Since then, I look at them and smile, remembering how much she loved planting flowers on her deck in the spring and fall. They brought her so much joy and it is amazing how seeing the flowers below her wind chime now brings me joy. On a lighter note, we made taco dip for the first time together and we gobbled it all up smiling, laughing and remembering how mom used to make taco dip on all special occasions.

On Mother's Day weekend, we packed up and spent time at our favorite family spot-Jellystone. Each time we go, the kids can do more and more and they look forward to the different activities. In just one weekend we had so much fun between the water park, play land, roasting smores, learning to play "go fish," eating funnel cakes, riding bikes, ice cream social, train ride, watching outdoor movies and so much more! It really is such a fun time and the weather was more than perfect. At home we celebrated with our traditional picnic (this year indoors from a rain shower). It was neat watching the girls play Candy Land; it was a big step in our lives because they actually had an attention span to legitimately play half of a game! Jay spoiled me with a wonderful dinner and desserts.

In June, we celebrated a very special daddy! We went to the infamous Killen's BBQ for lunch and went to our first movie together "Inside Out." Daddy got a "movie date night with the girls" gift where he got two Disney movies and specialty popcorn and candy to enjoy with the girls to remember the first movie together. No doubt it was a memorable day for all. We learned that Avery eats popcorn fist over fist where Aubrey is more piece by piece! It was a fun day.

Mother's Day weekend: Fun at Jellystone, indoor picnic at home and movie night to top it all off!

First game of "Go Fish" (Yes, Aubrey is eating a dill pickle, girl after my own heart!)

Remembering mom on Mother's Day and enjoying some taco dip on her sunshine plate.

Indoor Mother's Day picnic

Game of Candy Land

Aubrey and Avery each planted their own pot of flowers for Gramma for Mother's Day. It a special and memorable time. Avery picked more orange and pink flowers (with a little bit of purple for Gramma) and Aubrey all pink and purple. Flowers are still healthy and growing.

Father's Day 2015: Kick the day off when fun at the pool, then enjoying BBQ at Killen's, and then the movie "Inside Out." The day was so memorable and fun.