Homemaker Monday: Having 10 Kids Finally Pays Off

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Yesterday had to be one of the most thoughtful Mother's Days I've ever had. Virtually everyone in my family made it a point to make the day special for me, and I just have to share.

It began when the 18-year-old boy asked me out to dinner. He did it by way of the 13-year-old boy, who came in from outside and said, "Mom, the 18-year-old boy wants to know if you want to go to dinner tonight."

"With who?" I asked.

"With him."

"What?"

I tried to get more out of him, but he seemed as confused as I was, so I went outside to where the 18-year-old boy and three of his friends were hanging out by a wood pile.

"18-year-old boy," I said, "What is the 13-year-old boy trying to tell me?"

"Well, I was just thinkin' that maybe we could go out to dinner or something."

"Like me and you?"

"Yeah, and maybe the 13-year-old boy, or whoever else wants to go."

"Like, your friends, too?"

"No, Mother, that would be weird. Just...like...for Mother's Day, you know?"

"Oh. Okay. Well....just us?"

"Well.... I guess whoever."

"Are you paying?"

"Yeah, but just for me and you."

"Okay. Well let me go talk to John."

So I did, and it turned out that everyone wanted to go, and John said he would fork out for the rest of the fam, so we went.

As it happens, there are no restaurants to speak of in our town, except one, which is only open for lunch, so we drove to the big town 30 minutes away. I had recently been told about an amazing taco stand by the hospital (I had hoped that that wasn't a providential location), so I thought it would be fun to try that, as the 18-year-old boy loves those types of places. Here it is...

And here is a cartoon cow introducing what they serve...

It was a lovely evening and a perfect night to eat outside. I asked the owner if I could take his picture, and he yelled, "Claro que si!" Which means of course and asked me if I was going to put it on my Facebook. I said no, but that I was going to put it on my blog. He laughed a hardy laugh and gave the thumbs up...

As the 18-year-old boy and I watched him cut up the pork, the 18-year-old boy confided to me that the knife scared him. I promptly repeated this to the owner in Spanish, and he laughed again, and asked if the 18-year-old boy wanted to hold it...

Yes. He. Did...

While we waited, our condiments were placed on the table...

...and our drinks were prepared...

It turns out that these tacos were some of the best I've ever had. Yes, I do try to be a good vegetarian, but when it comes to eating out in Mexico, it's an almost impossible feat, so I gave up for the night and enjoyed it. Here is my husband's lovely hand as he prepares to consume his taco...

At some point, a game of slug bug apparently ensued...

But there were no hard feelings...

The food was great, the drinks were cold, the company was entertaining, and we ended the evening watching this sunset...

The next morning, I awoke to find innumerable presents for me on the kitchen island. John had ordered a beautiful bouquet for me...

...and had helped the 4 under 4 pick out various kitchen items he knew I'd like...

The 13-year-old boy found a Mother's Day poem on the internet, made a colorful graphic background, and copy and pasted it on a sheet of paper, hand-writing a note on the bottom expressing regret that the font was so small...

The 10-year-old boy made me something, but I still don't know what it is, because it's at school.

The 20-year-old girl called me first thing in the morning, which totally made my day, but we were quickly disconnected, thanks to Mexican internet service.

The 8-year-old girl made a necklace for me, which just happened to match the outfit I had picked out for church...

(Is it a sin to edit out neck wrinkles? Okay, since I feel guilty, here's the unedited version of my neck...)

And the 15-year-old girl hand-crafted me a book bag out of canvas. I love this bag so much because with the embroidery option on her sewing machine, she embroidered all of the names I am called by varying members of the fam...

...plus, she sewed on the cutest little pocket on the other side...

In it, she packed my favorite junk foods...

...which I plan on saving for after the kids go to bed on an especially hard day.

I'm so grateful to my family for making this a fantastic Mother's Day. I hope you had a great day, too!

Okay, then, here's MckLinky! Thank you so much for your visits and contributions and I hope you enjoy perusing these always awesome homemaking tips. Happy Homemaker Monday!





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