Just a really nice weekend

It was by all accounts, just a really nice weekend.  After the emotional tizzy I'd worked myself into, I really needed to just take a deep breath,  soak up a little sunshine and remember on whom my faith rests.  Mother's Day weekend turned out to be the perfect weekend to do just that.

For starters, there was SUN, real honest to goodness, shadow casting sunshine!  I can't tell you what a difference that makes.  On Saturday, Austin and I headed out to this sweet little place that has a carousel, a tiny train, some rescued animals, a few shops and a fabulous organic, locally produced, over the top gourmet ice cream shop.   We rode the train and carousel,  saw the animals and had some ice cream.    Well, what we really had was the best Belgium Waffle Sundae we've ever had.  We ordered a small ice cream to share, but what we got could have filled a small bathtub!  And oh my!  Chunks of dark chocolate bits on top of homemade whipped cream with a waffle made from dough, not batter.  Austin nearly literally dove face first into the bowl.  Wow, is all I can say.   On the way home, I stopped at a lavender farm which has a small gift shop and bought myself a few Mother's Day gifts of my own.   The farm is so beautiful.  It has been featured in several magazine articles and the soaps, candles and cream they produce are heavenly. 

On Mother's Day itself (another sunny day) we went to Brunch with Brian's Aunt Mary.  Mary never married but is like another mother to our family.  With my mom in Florida, and Brian's mom deceased, it just seems right to celebrate with Aunt Mary.  I know how hard this day is for those who are childless.  For over a decade, it was the worst day of the year for me.  Everywhere I looked was a celebration of the one thing I simply could not have: motherhood.  And now, since Austin, it is truly one of the happiest days of the year as it stands in testimony to answered dreams, hopes and prayers.  I think too, of Austin's birthmom and wonder if she thinks of the tiny boy to whom she gave life, and I hope this day is one of peace and not pain for her.

After a really nice brunch we came home.  Aunt Mary had planned to leave as soon as we got back, but instead, unable to resist Austin's charm, spent the next hour and a half giving Austin driving lessons.

She let him blow the horn, play with the radio, turn the wipers on and off, on and off, on and off.... play with the locks, the air condition and any button he could find.  She even taught him how to put in the key and start the ignition.  (Uh, thanks.  Good thing his little legs can't reach the gas....yet.  Better hide those car keys from now on.)   She had such a blast with him, and he was in heaven.  I was truly surprised the car actually had enough battery power to start back up and drive her home!  Of course, the next day when we had to run an errand, he hops up front and says, "I can drive the car Mama!"  Slow down little man.

Nap time was completely bypassed, but I didn't have the heart to pull him away when they were both having such a good time and Aunt Mary doesn't get to spend a whole lot of time with her pseudo grandchild.  It was the right decision.  As soon as Aunt Mary got home, she called to thank me for such a nice day.  She enjoyed the brunch and she loved the time with Austin.  I was so glad she came.

And here are my goodies from the Lavender Farm:

A really nice handmade broom which has just the right give and squish to make it work really well.

Also a sachet of lavender, some soap and recycled glass soap dish.  I love the way the light shines through it, and the soap just makes you look for excuses to wash your hands just to smell it!

And.... Lavender Honey!  Yum!

Like I said, all in all it was a lovely weekend.  I loved having that fun afternoon on Saturday, just Austin and I, just a mama and her little boy (and a whole lot of ice cream!)  but I also loved the family time with Brian and Aunt Mary on Sunday.  I am feeling so much better, so much calmer.  Which is good, because  tomorrow, a Fed Ex truck will deliver an absolutely scary amount of medications to my house.  I meet with the IVF doctors on Thursday for preliminary blood work, etc. and on Friday, I start the cycle with my first shots.  I still have some concerns, but I am taking this, and all of life, one day at a time.  I guess that's the only way to take it because that's how it comes, in one day installments.   I will  see how it goes, one day, one shot, one prayer at a time.