Mama Bear... loves her cubs, so dearly. My two cupcakes make a good little pair for a ripe mom. The Sergeant knows how to melt my heart just right and Benny keeps me on my toes. Just a little about each:

S. Stink gives me a gaze of love like no other with those big brown lashful eyes of his. He tells me the sweetest things I've almost ever heard to butter me up only for me to squeeze the pickle juice out of him. He's brought me otter pops when I've cried and even snipped the tops off so they are ready to eat. He opens doors sometimes and tries to make my tea. He tells me it's okay. He loves me.

Benny Buttons stops me in the busy rut of life and makes me listen. He warms my soul with all of the sensitivity he possesses. His tender personality softens our family and makes me more aware of the world around us. He totally makes me giggle. His hair drives me nuts, in a good way. He gives me a hand whenever I need it and always makes sure that my parenting skills are the latest and greatest. He shows me when it's not okay. He loves me.

Those boys make me feel irreplaceable and make it known... the greatest confidence. Those boys also made it the best Mother's Day I have had yet! The day before we went to the store to prepare for our Mother's Day Pizza I have decided we will make every year. As we were talking in the parking lot about what toppings to put on the pizza, Stink comes up with a brilliant idea. He tells me, "Since you call us Muffins and Pickles and Cupcakes why don't we just make all of those too. Then you won't have to make anything all day." So we did, we got all of those, then I prepared the pizza toppings in containers in the fridge all ready for the boys to put together the next day. We woke up and they made muffins without any help minus me turning the oven on. Benny certainly knows how to crack eggs well. I will admit I was concerned about crunchy muffins, but they nailed it.

They started the day gung ho style and said they were even doing the dishes, all day. Surprisingly we did make it to church without being late. I had plenty of time to get ready and the boys were the ones rushing for a change. The dishes didn't get done until after, then when the job was done and the depth of the dish work was realized... Stink happily let me know that I could just do the rest of the dishes tomorrow. It was the sweet and generous intention that counted to me though. Lunch was pretty much snacks and a jar of pickles on the counter... and oh my gosh I got to take a nap. It felt weird and I was a little disoriented when I woke up to the boys icing my almond cupcakes. The kitchen was a disaster, I almost stuck to the floor and the dishes were piled up in both compartments of the sink... but I surely felt the loves. We put on our roller skates and skated around the neighborhood together and saw some friends.

We ate pizza late. It was a combination of me partly not knowing how to time manage a day with a nap squeezed in and the fact that I ate too many delicious cupcakes. Benny thoroughly enjoyed putting the pizza together and Stink asked me if he really had to help. At this point Stink was tired, Benny persevered. At this point I was ready to take over, but I didn't. Instead I watched and clipped my toenails too short as I kept my mouth shut and told myself repeatedly that I will have my kitchen back tomorrow. Then, they read me stories in my bed. It was... a perfect day with my cute muffins, sweet cupcakes, sour pickles... making me all what I call them.

As much as they do for me, I would do absolutely anything for them... with a happy heart and a smile. I will work two jobs, almost go crazy fighting for them, manage around a bizarre schedule so they get to keep their peace, stay home because they need me, resist some change because they need familiarity, still go when I'm tired because they need consistency... all while cooking them dinner, have a dance with them, sing to them, read them stories and pray with them. Being a mother is a beautiful love like no other. They are my pride, my joy. It is the biggest dose of selflessness. Us moms know how to truly sacrifice. Sometimes we get hurt and build this high tolerance to pain without even knowing how tough we become. It is the hardest, yet most rewarding relationship I've ever known. It is my most favorite job in the world.

There is one thing that I hope my boys will learn from me and will live by when they are older. That is to be Faithful in all that you do. To the Lord, your work, your family and friends, but most of all to your own self. I love you two and thank you for making my day and my life so darn special. ;)