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!
Today on Whole Food Kids: Oat Milk Strawberry Smoothies...
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28 comments:
Ah... now I understand why Mothers Day was such a non event... I haven't got enough children! 4 is not enough? Well I guess I'll never have an amazing one, because I'm done!
Fortunately my expectations were very low, so I wasn't too sad. Perhaps when my children are older... Mine are 13,11,4.5 and 1.5.
What great kids you have! What a nice Mother's Day. By the way, I would love to take sewing lessons from your 15 year old. I also would love to buy her creations.
What sweet kids! I'm new to Homemaker Monday. Thanks for hosting; I need all the help I can get for my homemaker skills!
I too am missing 6 more children to have a Mother's Day like that!
What a wonderful day!
Loved the pictures!!
Happy Mother's Day to you!
I am sooo jealous of your dinner!!! One of the things I miss being in the South is the no "real" mexican food, there is one place that comes close I suppose :) On a side note, I know you are vegetarian mainly, but do you know any good carnita or carne asada marinades? I've tried a couple, but can't get it right on the carnitas at all! I would love the input! (Can you tell I'm hungry this morning :))
So, I usually don't like festivities, including mother's day, because they seems to me so "fake", something one has to do, but in your case, it's everything so real, and heartfelt, and sweet.
Your family is so special.
Oh, and how did you edit the picture?
I can't wait until my kids are old enough to maybe be creative for me (they're 3 and 1) but my husband worked extra hard to make my day super special! Bless that man!
You certainly deserve a special day with all of your kids!
Happy belated mother's day!
So sweet! Looks like a lovely day!
Totally sweet! Love this Paula in Idaho
What a lovely, thoughtful family you have! So pleased you had such a nice Mother's Day. I have only one son, but he and my husband are great at making Mother's Day special too - only here in England it's in March which always seems odd to me as I grew up in Canada!
What a blessing to be part of a large family...sounds like you had a lovely Mothers Day!
I love that you showed the real picture of your neck! Hey, you've earned your wrinkles...be proud!
i got all misty reading your post. :) what a lovely day for you-so glad that they were so thoughtful-shows how you and your husband are raising them with love and kindness.
Man, those tacos look good!!!
I am glad you had such a lovely mother's day. I am sure though, that is has paid off many, many times, before having such a grand scale family. You are truly blessed and I can hear that you know it.
You are also an inspiration.
Looks like you had an amazing day! And no - it is not a sin to take out wrinkles - that's why God gave us post photo processing!!
Thank you so much for hosting!
Love the little pocket on the bag! And it was filled with candy...how sweet!
What awesome kids you have Jen! Love the bag that the 15 yr old girl made! She is a very talented one! 18 yr old boy looked quite happy holding that cleaver! Glad you gad a fun day!
Wow...those tacos looked amazing! I'd love to join you in Casas for some roadside-taco-stand cooking and cold drinks from glass bottles. That's the best!
You're making me homesick for what is literally "my hometown". I was born in Casas Grandes at the Clinica Cinco de Mayo 40 years ago this month!
I am with Diana...the tacos look delicious! I love all of your mothers day treats. Your bag is absolutely adorable! Cant wait until myson will ask me to dinner...LOL
You are an amazing Mother and Wife so I am glad that you were shown the appreciation you deserve.
Much Love
Alessandra, I edited out my wrinkles in the Photobucket editing program. Just go to photobucket.com. If only I could do it in real life!
Morning Jen :-}
Are you sure that EVERYbody was playing slug bug - or was it just that the 15 year old girl was? ;-p
That knife is such a wonderful efficient meat cleaver/hatchet! The one side can hook the meat and toss it onto the chopping block, then the other side breaks it down. Efficient!
Your 18 year old son has full 'man sized' hands! That cleaver fits in his hand nicely! And I bet if he learned the 'how to', he would be very proficient with it!!
Yes, he is in awe and a bit scared of it. Very good attributes to keep when handling such a tool!
I like A-L-L of your various Mother's Day gifts! They (the givers) obviously put thought into getting / making you things you would like. Nice!!
That pop cooler at the 'Taco' stand is considered a "high colectable" here in the states! Totally cool!!!
Jen, while I am very glad that your whole family enjoyed the venture out for dinner, I have some other thoughts I'd like to share with you about all of it.
Teen aged boys get very nervous asking teenage girls out on dates. They feel even more nervous / self conscious / awkward asking their mom out. Afterall, she's their mom!!! She's the one whom has been teaching and correcting them their whole life. While she might be a lot of fun to watch a movie or something with in the comfort of the house, taking her someplace all by yourself is the equivilant of entering the major leagues. Will she enjoy being just with me? Will I do things the way she thinks I should? Etc.
The fact he was very nervous about it shows by his having gotten a younger brother to do the original asking.
But it also shows in his saying that anybody could join the two of you. In his own kind of self consious / shy way, he was wanting YOU to say that you would be honored to go out with just him.
Your eldest son has become a man Jen. Yes, I am sure that in many areas of his life, he still has a lot of 'growing up to do'. I do too and I'm in my early 50's ;-p
My suggestion to you would be, that sometime soon, before he graduates, before he leaves for his year as a missionary - that you allow him the honor of going out for an evening - just the two of you. I am very confident that it will create a memory both of you will cherish, for y-e-a-r-s to come!!!
Thank you Jen, not that I have any wrinkle,;) my question was purely academic, if you believe it.
But you are so funny, the only person in the world that edit a photo and then show the unedited one.
One of the reasons that make you so lovable, mwah!
Wow! I'm going to hold out hope that my Mother's Day can aspire to yours! Fantastic! And well deserved.
Did that man have a "hardy" laugh or a "hearty" laugh?
Well I don't know, Beef... you tell me. Is it hardy or hearty? I struggled with that one. Not enough schooling I suppose. :)
Sounds like you had a great Mother's day! :)
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