MY BIRTH MOM

I was adopted when I was 3 days old. I grew up in a wonderful family with 4 other adopted siblings. I always knew I was adopted and my parents were very willing to talk about it and open to the idea of us finding our birth parents when we turned 18 if that was what we wanted. I never felt the need. I had great respect for my birth mom and was so grateful she was willing to give me up so that I could have a better life, but I didn't want to interrupt her life and cause chaos if she hadn't ever told anyone about me. I've heard horror stories of that kind of confrontation going very wrong and lots of feelings being hurt. I loved my family and my life and never felt like anything was missing, but in the back of my mind I was always curious about my genetic line and where I came from. I was definitely open to meeting my birth mother if she should ever reach out.

Well, that's what happened! Right after we got home from our trip to Moab earlier in the month, I was contacted by an adoption PI who told me that my birth family was looking for me, particularly my birth mother. I was blown away. It was so out of the blue, but I was very willing to let her contact me.  We jumped through the legal hoops and she called me. I had big butterflies in my stomach, but otherwise was just excited to hear from her. She introduced herself and told me about her family and I told her about mine. We talked about how I came to be and the circumstances leading to and surrounding my birth. Much of the information my mom had been told had been inaccurate and it was so interesting to hear the real story. She is a wonderful lady and I am thrilled to know her. We set up a time to get together and she came to my house today. We went through my baby pictures and then to lunch where we talked and talked for hours. It was so fun to meet her and get to know her. We are friends on Facebook and I have even talked with two of her daughters- my half sisters. It has really opened a door for me that I never really thought would. I'm thrilled!

My birth mom and I.

A GOOD MOTHER'S DAY

I know I am not the only mother out there that usually can't stand Mother's Day. I love honoring my mom, but I have always hated it when it comes to myself. It seems like I always end up feeling bad for myself and neglected and angry at my family for not doing anything for me. 

Now that I have missionaries out though, things have changed! I look forward to getting see and visit with them like it's Christmas! No, it's BETTER than Christmas! 

Elder G in Wales.

Elder Gordon FaceTimed with us from Wales where he is currently serving and we laughed and talked and caught up with him for an hour and 22 minutes! I loved everyone of those minutes! He is doing so well and is so happy it makes me feel amazing!

Elder Gordon shows the back of his name badge with a sticker from where he used to work.

About 30 minutes after we hung up from Elder Gordon, I got a text from Sister Gordon and told her we were ready right then. It worked out perfectly!

Sister Gordon is as beautiful and happy as ever.

Sister Gordon is also doing great and just radiates that gospel happiness that all righteous missionaries send out. It love talking with them and hearing all the stories and just flat out listening to their voices again. 

Sister Gordon in Ft. Lauderdale.

Sister Gordon is way too obedient to go over time though. We talked exactly an 30 minutes and then she was gone. (She's pretty much a sergeant and that's okay with me. Obedience means blessings). 

Today was a great Mother's Day. I got a gorgeous hanging flower basket to hang on my back porch, a movie and some Kit Kats. (We won't mention the reason I got remembered this year, just the fact that I did).

PINTEREST POST #2

I have to admit that my love of Pinterest is dying. I still check it sometimes, but I don't pin nearly as much. And the fact that I have had to report porn three times does not endear me to the site.

However, there are a couple things I found recently and used. I just made this card for my mother-in-law on Mother's Day Sunday. It turned out super cute and was fun.

But this chicken shredding technique is by far my favorite new Pinterest item. 

This website said you could cook your chicken and then put it in your Kitchen Aid to shred it. I just had to try it (I hate shredding chicken with forks. It takes forever). Well, low and behold, it works like a charm! I didn't have a cover to put over my bowl, so I just used a dish towel and it worked beautifully! Yay! Time saved!! My fajita meat was gorgeous! Try it, you'll like it!

TOENAILS & SUMMER JOBS

Big C's cousin gave all the girls a sheet of Tat-Toes (click for link) at Easter. I decided to use mine and see how well they really work. I have to say I was impressed. They are easy to put on and lasted 5 weeks!

This is the design I chose. It is called Flower Power. I left them on a bit longer than they suggest and they did take off a bit of my right toenail as I pulled them off. I think if I'd been a bit more careful it wouldn't have happened and it doesn't hurt or anything, it just kind of freaked me out a bit.

Other news within the Gordon household includes the summer job drama. A doesn't want to work for Big C like D does, so he is helping a friend move sprinkler pipe. I love his work outfit, especially the mud. Its not an easy job, but neither is working for your dad...

THE BIG WIDE WORLD

She did it. She left me. My oldest is off to be a river guide in Idaho. I am so worried/sad/excited. I am hoping this is going to be a good thing for her, but the mother in me is really struggling with it.

Here she is with her set up. She is going to live in that tent trailer for four months. She has spent the last few weeks getting it ready with her dad and grandpa's help. She even made slip covers for the cushions.

I am dying and I know she is so excited she couldn't get out of here fast enough. Hopefully she'll be back after the training to run a river with us before the season starts for her job.

This is the type of thing she just headed up to do. I'm glad she has warm gear, 'cuz that water is going to be COLD! I am praying 24/7 from now on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today would be my mom's 72nd birthday. I really miss her. She is such a part of who I am. Happy birthday, Mom! I love you!

This was her 64th birthday.

This was her 67th birthday.

MOTHERS

“Motherhood …is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” James R. Clark

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. I love Mother's Day and all the uplifting thoughts about motherhood that are shared, however, the anniversary of my mother's death was at the beginning of the week and so I am also reminded of someone I miss (terribly sometimes).

My mom and I at my wedding reception in 1991.

My mom was a remarkable woman. She grew up in a single-parent home, her father, having had a stroke when she was 5, was shipped off to a hospital in another state never to be seen again by his family who was too poor to make the journey. He passed away when she was 12. Her mother taught school and supported her 3 girls and taught them well. So well, in fact, that when my father was killed my senior year of high school, my mother stood up to the tremendous challenges that faced her with a quiet strength that will never cease to amaze me. She was the most caring, sympathetic, generous person I have ever met and was such a great example to me. Which brings me to my mother-in-law...

My husband and his mother around 1969-70.

I know some women do not get along with their mothers-in-law, but I am a great exception to that rule. I can truly say I have the best mother-in-law in the world. She even lives in the same small town I do and we get along. She is so helpful and willing to do anything I ask of her at a moment's notice, but has never once over-stepped any bounds into my personal 'mother' space. I never hear her say an unkind word about anyone and she is always there with words of wisdom when I ask for them, but never offers any unsolicited advice. What more could you ask for?

My youngest and I last summer.

I truly love being a mother. It is the greatest honor of my life and I will always be so grateful Heavenly Father was willing to send me 5 of the most amazing children ever to come to earth. He has entrusted me with their care and I take that responsibility very seriously.

I wish all the mothers and mothers-to-be out there a Happy Mother's Day and pray we can all remember the blessings we have been given and always have the desire to teach those 'blessings' the things they need to know to make this world a better place.