"Mama's" Day

I am laying in a bed as I type (on an iPad, with one finger) with one arm around my precious, sleeping littlest son and my biggest son sleeping within arms reach. And in between them is the most amazing man I know. Just feet away, is an open door, leading to a balcony that overlooks the ocean. I could, quite possibly, be the happiest I have ever been. The cadence of my boy's breathing mixed with the sound of the waves has tears streaming down my face.

To Landon Robert,
Thank you for being everything I could have dreamed of. Thank you for always, always making me smile. Thank you for making me a mama and thank you, sweet boy, for helping me learn the ropes with this mothering thing. I promise to you, my love, that I will never stop trying to be the best for you because I know you are the best for me.

To Kellen Jones,
Thank you for making my heart expand bigger than I could have ever dreamed. Thank you for making me smile (almost) every minute of every day. Thank you for being ornery and for making me raise my patience threshold...you are SO worth it. Thank you for smiling and loving like you do. And thank you oh, thank you for having curly hair.

To my Mom,
Thank you for being the kind of mother to me that you wish you always had. Thank you for teaching me how to be a wife and mother and not lose myself in between. Thank you for all that you sacrificed for your children. One day, when my boys have kids, they will realize like I already have, how deeply I love them. Thank you for showing my boys everyday what it means to have a Nana. You have given my children an unmeasurable gift. Thank you for teaching me how to love with everything I've got...I love your passion for life. Most of all, thank you for always being "there". Your kindness does not go unappreciated and I can promise you one thing...if you ever need us, we will always be "there" for you too.

To Valerie,
Thank you for making Scott the man he is. I hope you are proud because I know the hard work and effort it takes to raise a son. Thank you for letting me lead my family, and make mistakes, and screw-up Easter cupcakes. You never, ever judge and you always support. I know that everyone is not given that luxury and I thank you for letting me be me. Thank you for always saying "yes". I don't think you have ever been invited to anything by us without saying "yes". Thank you for making me a part of your family. Thank you for being Scott's mom and teaching us how to raise good men. And finally, thank you so much for being the best mother-in-law a girl could ever dream of. You are exactly the way it is supposed to be and I am forever grateful for you. You are teaching me how to do it right when it is my turn to be the mother-in-law.

To Scott Cruce,
Please go back to sleep. You making those creepy eyebrows at me is making me lose the sentimental mood for this post. I am sorry if that makes you lose the other "mood". :) In all seriousness, thank you for, no matter what, always making me feel like a good Mama. With everything that you do for this family, you make my job so darn easy. Thank you for letting me be the exact mom I want to be. I love you. Happy Mothers Day!!!!