In my family, we believe in gift giving, but we SUCK at waiting. Usually the giver is the one who can't wait. Birthdays are the 12 days of _________, and Christmas lasts for 24 days. Easter, we did okay - the kids got their gifts Christmas morning!

In my household, there is Hubby, me, SD12, SD14 and Neighborgirl19. NG19 is a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome, and she tests out at 8. She gets very jealous when SDs are acknowledged as my kids, if she is not.

So, Mother's Day for me started on May 3rd, when Hubby and I picked out a beautiful Family Ring for me. Actually, I picked it out, Hubby paid. It had to be pre-ordered because of my big fat fingers, and the gemstones so I will get it before the end of the month.

When SDs and NG realized they only had a WEEK to plan Mother's Day, they went hog wild. NG19 took SD12 and SD14 to the back of the house and the three of them brainstormed up a hurricane. When they came out, Hubby took SD12 to the store and they bought me two Mother's Day cards, a bunch of roses (more then a dozen) chocolates, and brownie mix.

On Sunday the 4th I got a card, my chocolates, and my roses. Hubby gave me my Mother's Day card then, as well. On the fifth, SD12 and NG19 made me brownies for breakfast. That was it until Saturday the 10th.

On the 10th, SD12 made me a meatloaf dinner with spinach and stuffing to go with it. It was SO GOOD!

Yesterday, I got woken up to breakfast in bed (Sausage, bacon, and waffles), by Hubby and the 2 SDs. NG19 got home around 1, with another card for me, and a single long stem red rose. Then, the five of us managed to shower with no arguments, and we were headed out to dinner.

For dinner, we met my mom, siblings, their spouses and children at the local steak place. There were only 25 of us, on Mother's Day. I have no idea why they had such a hard time seating us! LOL

My mom got me the sweetest card that made me cry. It said, "I am proud of how hard you work at this, and the pleasure you get from being a mom." I love the life I have now, and wouldn't change it for the world, but sometimes I feel like such a failure as a (step)mom. SD12 has ODD and we butt heads, A LOT!

After dinner, we all posed for pictures, and it was so special. I got awesome pics of me, Hubby and my girls (including NG19), some of me, mom, and my siblings, and three of the 24 of us (NG19 as the photographer!)

I talked to OS22 (SDs' Oldest Sister) a few times. We got very mushy wishing each other a Happy First Mother's Day. I also got some very special messages on Facebook, from friends who have known me a long time, and some of the SD's maternal family!

This morning, Hubby cleaned all the dishes from breakfast yesterday. When SD14 got home from school, the girls gave me the last card.

I THINK my Mother's Day is over, until my ring comes in! LOL. I was very very spoiled!