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Mom

Can You Have A Perfect Mother’s Day?

May 4, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Happy Mothers DayStop Wishing for the Perfect Mothers Day

If you are starting to think about Mother’s Day for your Mom, or if you are a Mother anticipating the upcoming Mothers Day stop wishing for a perfect Mother’s Day.

Yes, I said it. Now that I look back on the past years I wish I hadn’t expected perfection.

Too many times as Moms we expect too much from ourselves, and if you’re like me you sometimes expect too much out of the day. I know I always wanted Mothers Day to be special.

Different somehow, maybe even magical. As if every problem will be solved, every worry will go away and I will experience an overabundance or love and appreciation of being a Mom.

Popular media and culture promote Mother’s day as a special day, just for Moms.

We are supposed to be pampered for the day, without anything to do, and be lavished with attention, gifts, and love.

Mom Mothers Day Gift

If we don’t get it then the day is somehow a failure, or maybe we are failures as a Mother. Wrong.

I would like to say I’ve succeeded as a Mother, that I have the perfect family, the perfect kids, and I know the perfect thing to say at the perfect time. I don’t. I have yelled, I have said things I wish I could take back, and I am far from perfect. My kids aren’t perfect either, I’m sure they wish they could do things over again also.

So why do I expect Mother’s Day to be perfect? I shouldn’t, and neither should you.

How I Have a Perfect Mother’s Day

Recently I was going through my computer files and looking at the photos from May. As I look back, I saw examples of how much my kids do care and it made me remember the handmade cards, flowers, Mother’s necklace and the very thoughtful ways they decided to thank me and wish me a Happy Mothers Day.

My daughter gave me the silk flowers last year along with the book below. Not only did she carefully select the book 1,003 Great Things about Moms Book, but she went through the book and underlined specific phrases that were applicable to me, it made me laugh, because yes. I am the Mom who buys Chapstick at Christmas and yes, they are in every room, or so it seems.

Mothers Day Book

My oldest son, during some tumultuous years in high school, gave me this Willow Tree Mother and Son figurine and it still brings a tear to my eye this many years later.

Mother and Son Willow Tree figurine made it a perfect Mothers Day

So what makes a perfect Mother’s day?

Do you, or should you measure your self-worth through your children? No.

As a Mother, we can only do our job the best way we know how, with the skills we have been given via our parents, or life lessons we have learned along the way.

My kids are adults now and two of the three are living on their own away from home. I have done my best to raise them, love them, and teach them how to make presents special and unique. It’s up to them now.  I am proud of them, and if they don’t live up to MY expectations, that ok, because they shouldn’t. I love them unconditionally and I know they love me.

Flowers on Mothers Day

It’s the little things they do on Mother’s Day, flowers don’t just appear. Flowers takes thought and time.

The flowers above were given to me when my youngest son was a senior in high school and either he or his sister had to drive to the store and pick them up, get the card and candy that went along with them.Mothers Day flowers Then they have to get up early to place them on the table before I wake up.

When my Mother was alive I lived 1500 miles away from her my adult life. As anyone will tell you, I am TERRIBLE at getting things in the mail. So when she got a Mother’s Day card early she was shocked and surprised.

But I always did send flowers, she loved flowers and teapots so I tried to get a teapot, or teacup flower arrangements, the more unique the better, and, I always called. She always took photos of her flowers and described them over the phone.

Nontraditional Mothers Day Gifts from my Kids

But Mothers Day is more than flowers, candy, etc.

You know your kids really connect with you when they give you gifts that meet a need and show your kids are actually paying attention to you during the year. The odd-looking Strutz cushions below were also a Mothers Day gift. Non-traditional, yes, but very thoughtful.

Ontel Strutz Cushioned Arch Supports, Green, 2 CountOntel Strutz Cushioned Arch Supports, Green, 2 Count

My oldest knows I have plantar fasciitis and my feet hurt. He saw these and thought they may help my feet feel better.

He bought them to give to me on Mothers Day when he was home on his Marine Corps leave. 

What if your kids don’t remember Mothers Day?

Have they failed you or have you failed them? No.

You should still celebrate Mother’s Day on your own, do something special for yourself, to make yourself happy.

You are responsible for your own happiness. Yes, it’s nice to get breakfast in bed, if that’s your thing. Or get taken out to dinner, if you want to fight the crowds that day.  But it’s also a “moment” with you yours that may only last a few minutes that day.

Or you might spend your Mothers Day by yourself reflecting back on your time as a Mother. You can look through family photo albums, read a good book, taking a rest, and pamper yourself.

I do agree that you should NOT have to do chores (unless you REALLY want to), dishes, or laundry. Take a break and have the perfect Mother’s Day yourself. You deserve it.

Moms Pamper Yourself

Golden State Fruit 12 Mother's Day Love Berries Chocolate Covered StrawberriesGolden State Fruit 12 Mother’s Day Love Berries Chocolate Covered StrawberriesThisWear Mothers Day Gifts for Mom Best Mom Ever Wood Heart Keychain Key Tag Mom GiftsThisWear Mothers Day Gifts for Mom Best Mom Ever Wood Heart Keychain Key Tag Mom GiftsStpower Mothers Jewelry Engraved Words Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet Perfect Gift for Mom (The Love Between a Mother and Daughter is Forever)Stpower Mothers Jewelry Engraved Words Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet Perfect Gift for Mom (The Love Between a Mother and Daughter is Forever)♥ mothers day gifts ♥ KINREX Tea & Coffee Mug - Best Mom Ever - 12oz - Gifts for Mom, Women and Ladies♥ mothers day gifts ♥ KINREX Tea & Coffee Mug – Best Mom Ever – 12oz – Gifts for Mom, Women and LadiesAmazing Woman Mug And Coaster/Lid - Ceramic - Large 14 Ounce Coffee Or Tea Cup - Dusky PurpleAmazing Woman Mug And Coaster/Lid – Ceramic – Large 14 Ounce Coffee Or Tea Cup – Dusky PurpleViverano 100% Organic Cotton Spa Bath Robe Kimono, Super Soft Luxurious Lightweight Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Hypoallergenic (L/XL, White)Viverano 100% Organic Cotton Spa Bath Robe Kimono, Super Soft Luxurious Lightweight Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Hypoallergenic (L/XL, White)Sweese 2111 Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid - You Are My Cup of Tea, 15 OZ, Mint GreenSweese 2111 Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid – You Are My Cup of Tea, 15 OZ, Mint GreenAdagio Teas 10087 Porcelain Mug with Infuser, 12 oz, PlumAdagio Teas 10087 Porcelain Mug with Infuser, 12 oz, Plum

How are you planning on pampering yourself on Mothers Day?

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: expectations, Holiday, kids, Mom, Mother, mother's day gifts, Mothers Day, parenting, perfect mother s day

Marine Mom Challenge Coin

March 4, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Look what I just found! A Marine Mom Challenge Coin, I didn’t even know they made them. If my Marine Corps sons ever read my blog this is a big hint for my birthday, Mothers Day, or Christmas. (no more need for a hint) Both my sons have received Challenge coins from their superiors while in the Marines. They have also purchased commemorative coins to recognize their service. I love the meaning behind them and how they chronicle events in a Marines life.

Proud Marine Mom Challenge Coin in the military tradition of the United States Marine Corps

I recently took did a photography shoot of all of their coins when they were home on leave. Some I have transformed them into cards and other gifts, but many I just took photos of for posterity. But, I didn’t know there was a challenge coin for Marine Mothers.

 I’ve since had inquiries on Twitter whether the company makes Proud Army Mom or Proud Navy Mom challenge coins, and they certainly do. So if you have a soldier for a son or daughter, or a sailor you too can have a challenge coin to keep in your pocket, purse, or on your desk as a talisman or sorts. As military Moms, we have our challenges of our own, we have to know what to say, what not to say, all in supporting our sons and daughters.

UPDATE: I’m not sure if my son read my blog or not, but he was home shortly after Mothers Day and after handing me a “fake” Mothers Day gift he then handed me a small packet, then put his hand over his mouth as he was hiding a smile and a smirk. I did get my Marine Mom Challenge coin. I keep it with me in my purse and love it. My son’s are so thoughtful.

Marine Mom and her son

Yes you can say I’m a pretty proud Marine Mom. I have my coin, I have my shirt and I have my bumper stickers on my car. I also have a necklace and a few USMC blankets. I don’t get to see my boys very often, but whenever I see or use one of my US Marine gifts I think of them and get a little teary eyed.

If you’re looking for a Marine Mom gift you can’t go wrong with any of the below items.

Marine Mom Gifts

Marine Mom Dog Tag NecklaceMarine Mom Hooded Sweatshirt in Dark Heather GrayCafePress One Proud Marine Mom T-Shirt Women’s DarkWhite 6in X 6.5in — Proud Marine MomMarine Mom Mother’s Day Dog Tag MMFNecklace: USMC Strong Pendant Necklace by The Bradford

 

Filed Under: Marine Corps Tagged With: blue star mother, family, gift for mom, gift idea for mom, gold star mother, Marine Mom, marines, military, Mom, Mother, troops, United States Marine Corps, US Marines, USMC

Baby Shower, It’s a Girl!

July 23, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I recently had the honor, and selfish fun of throwing a friend a baby shower! Excited, oh yes. To think that someone told her that a Mom should only have a shower for their first born and not a second baby.

Baby showers are just as much for the friends as the new Mama. In fact for those of us closer to being a Grandmother (no ideas kids) than being pregnant, we revel in babies. The thought of cuddling, spoiling, buying cute baby clothes and toys knowing that when the crying starts we can had them back has a TON of appeal to me right now.

Baby Shower for a girl
Baby Girl Shower

Found the rubber duck punch and LifeSaver pacifiers on Pinterest, yes there will be separate posts for those. I had just too much fun.

Initial photos were run through Lightroom, about 45 of them in about 30 minutes, then put together this simple template in Photoshop

Related articles
  • Rachel’s Baby Shower (dailydoily.typepad.com)
  • My Friend’s Baby Shower (banheethespectator.wordpress.com)
  • Oh! Baby O! (kmckphoto.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Events, Photography Tagged With: babies, Baby, Baby shower, celebration, children, Entertaining, family, infants, Mom

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