The Blancher Bunch: May 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Stop! Grammy Time!

In light of the recent Mother's Day celebrations, I only found it fitting to reflect on another great "mother" in my life.

My mother-in-law, Madeleine, came into my life about nine years ago when I met Adam. In those nine years, she has become not only a wonderful source of love and support, but she has also become a true friend. One that I admire and respect and love to spend time with!

Not too long after Evan's surgery, Madeleine took time off of her busy schedule to come up to Shreveport and spend some time with us. I was so touched that she would do this and come up to be another set of helping hands. She was such a huge help! She wiped noses, changed diapers, gave baths, diagnosed ear infections, fixed dinners, ran errands, read stories, sang songs, and played...oh how she played! It was a great week and I'm so grateful she was there!

Thank you not only for your help that week, Grammy, but for ALL you do. You're a blessing to our lives and we feel your support constantly!

Happy Mother's Day Grammy! We love you!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Giver

Mother's Day is upon us and I am yet again reflecting not only my role as a mother but the role that my mother has played in my life.

When I think about my mom and the best way to describe her, I think of the word "giver." Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time with her immediately picks up on her giving spirit. She's that person that will bend over backwards, even if it's completely inconvenient for her, to be helpful to a situation. She's the ultimate hostess, always sensitive to one's feelings, always ready with a positive thought or suggestion to life's trials, and is never one to say "no" if she can help it.

My mother has given me so much. She's given me the obvious things: a loving source of support, the basic necessities of life, guidance and wisdom through all the different stages of my life. She's also given me incredible foundations, those of Faith, Hope and Love, that I carry with me constantly and strive to teach to my own family. She has given me the example of the type of mother that I'd like to be to my children. The type of mother who teaches her children to be confident, humble, selfless and gracious. The type of mother who unconditionally supports her children yet teaches them to be independent. The type of mother who instills the value of family in her children and lives out those family values on a daily basis.

My mother is an incredible woman and I'm so grateful that she's in my life.

When I think about trying to express my gratitude for all of the wonderful things my mother has given me, I become tongue tied. How do you appropriately thank someone who blesses you on a daily basis? I don't think all of the "thank you's" in the world will even come close to cutting it.

But I hope my mom knows how much I love her and how much I idolize her. I hope she sees how much she enriches my life and how she inspires me on a daily basis to be a better wife and mother myself. I hope that I can carry forward the values that she has taught me to my children and that they will teach their children. I hope that my mother's teachings and lessons will live on for many, many generations, molding the lives of even our great-great grandchildren and beyond.

I hope that my mother feels so, so special as we honor her this Mother's Day and I hope that in the days beyond that she continues to feel the gratitude that I feel everyday.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you so much, you're an amazing mother-in-law, and you're an incredible grandmother to my boys. Thank you for all of our "givings." They bless us everyday!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

This Egg-cellent Easter Time!

**Warning: lots to post with this one!**

Our Easter-time this year was jam-packed with fun stuff to do and we had a blast with everything!

We started out with the annual Palm parade at church followed by a church-wide Easter egg hunt. This year, we were highly entertained by our excited two-year-olds walking proudly with their palms. Thomas got a smidge confused and kept asking if we needed to say "throw me somethin' mister!"...guess Mardi Gras is in that boy's blood or something... =)

We enjoyed the egg hunt in beautiful, spring weather after church.

Thomas hunted.

Evan napped.

All of the boys were excited about their loot.

They got together to compare and share.

Of course, Thomas found a stick.

Michael and Thomas had a little photo opp.

Evan and Brian conversed.

Our next Easter event was an egg hunt at school.

Posing with our basket.

Even though I wasn't able to go to the school hunt, Thomas came home with a full basket and said it was fun so I think it's safe to say it was a success!

Next up on the agenda was the annual "Easter Bunny visit at the Ruckers" event. Old EB found time in his busy schedule again this year to come by and visit us. He was kind enough to sit for some pictures and leave us some egged treats. What a guy, what a guy!

As we prepared for the egg-citing encounter, we talked A LOT about how friendly and nice EB was. (We've been a bit nervous being around the Easter bunny in the past...) Thomas approached this visit with renewed courage and was excited about telling his new friend "hi."

When we got to the Ruckers, EB was already there. We went over to see him and get a quick pic with him. While Thomas was intrigued, he was cautious about this large furry creature.