Mother’s Day: Love, Memories, and a Little Bit of Waterton Magic

Mother’s Day has always been a complicated day for me.

Don’t get me wrong—I love watching my kids celebrate me. I love the thoughtful messages, the hugs, the little reminders that somehow, despite all the mistakes, chaos, and questionable parenting decisions along the way, they actually turned out pretty amazing.

But there has always been another feeling that quietly sneaks in.

I miss my own mother.

I miss her deeply, and Mother’s Day has a way of making that space feel a little bigger. There is something about being celebrated as a mom that also reminds you of the mom who taught you how to become one.

This year, though, Jessica decided those blues weren’t getting a chance to settle in.

Not even for a minute.

She came prepared.

The day began with a gift from John (a Northern Lights projector) and a beautifully organized menu, presented by Jess like I was dining at a five-star restaurant. I wasn’t allowed to peek ahead. Instead, I had to peel away each meal reveal one at a time.

Apparently, Mother’s Day came with a little suspense. And let me tell you—this girl went all in.

Jessica cooked. She prepped. She planned. She created one delicious meal after another, and my only job was to sit back and enjoy it. I didn’t have to lift a finger (which, honestly, may have been my favourite part).

The food was incredible, but the best part was watching the care and thought she put into every little detail. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a reminder of the kind of person Jess has become. Someone who notices. Someone who serves. Someone who loves deeply.

And then came the grand finale.

Dinner.

In Waterton.

My absolute favourite tradition.

There is just something about sitting in that beautiful place, surrounded by mountains, fresh air, and the people I love most. Somehow, every Waterton meal tastes a little better. Maybe it’s the view. Maybe it’s the memories. Maybe it’s because my heart is always a little fuller there.

Whatever the reason, it was perfect.

This Mother’s Day was a beautiful reminder that while I will always miss the mother who came before me, I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of being the mother I am today.

I am so thankful for these kids of mine. For the ways they love me, surprise me, challenge me, and remind me that all those years of messy kitchens, late nights, driving to activities, and wondering if I was doing enough were worth it.

And I am especially thankful for a daughter who knew exactly what my heart needed this year—good food, a little adventure, and a whole lot of love.

Mother’s Day 2026 was one for the books. ❤️

May at Police Lake: Birds, Walks, and a Very Serious Cheesecake Situation

May has become one of my favourite months for one very important reason: it usually means our first trips out to Police Lake. There is just something about that place that feels like the official beginning of summer. Police Lake has become one of our favourite Sunday destinations. It’s the perfect place for a quiet walk, a little bird watching, and pretending we know more about birds than we actually do.

Our bird identification skills may need some work, but our appreciation for nature is top-notch. This year, however, Police Lake got a serious upgrade.

Enter: Jess’s homemade cheesecake.

Apparently, a peaceful Sunday walk surrounded by birds and beautiful scenery wasn’t quite enough. We needed dessert. And not just any dessert—a cheesecake that looked (and tasted) like it belonged in a fancy bakery instead of being carried around on a family outing.

Jess absolutely knocked it out of the park. It was creamy, delicious, and somehow made our little walk feel like a five-star outdoor dining experience. Who knew bird watching pairs so well with cheesecake?

Honestly, this may have started a dangerous tradition. Next year, we may need to bring binoculars, walking shoes, and a full dessert menu.

May at Police Lake: a little fresh air, a few questionable bird sightings, and a reminder that the best family memories are often the simple ones... especially when cheesecake is involved. 

April - The Month of Growth: Gardens, Games, and a Mission Call

April has a way of convincing us that winter is finally over... at least long enough to get us outside. We happily reacquainted ourselves with our backyard, tackling the annual spring rituals of weeding flower beds, prepping the garden for planting, and chopping what felt like an endless supply of firewood.

One of the month's highlights was watching Nate graduate from stacking wood to cutting it. He learned how to safely use a chainsaw this spring, and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed every second of it. There seems to be something deeply satisfying about turning a fallen tree into a perfectly stacked woodpile.

When we weren't outside, John and I rediscovered another favourite pastime: board games. Scrabble has officially claimed the title of our game of choice. Even more satisfying? I'm still undefeated. The pressure, however, is mounting. The higher the climb, the harder the fall, and John is becoming increasingly determined to be the one who finally hands me my first loss. For now, though, I'll gladly enjoy my winning streak.

Without question, the biggest news of April came from Jessica.

Mission call day is one of those moments every Latter-day Saint family dreams about, but somehow ours unfolded in the most Jessica-and-Nate way possible.

Jessica received the email while she and Nate were at the gym. Instead of opening it herself, she handed her phone to Nate.

Yes... Nate read her mission call before Jessica did.

As if that wasn't surprising enough, Nate managed to tell someone else at the gym where she was going before Jessica had even read the letter herself.

Then came the phone call.

"Mom. Dad. You have five minutes to get to the temple lawn... or I'm reading it without you."

Nothing motivates parents quite like a mission call countdown.

We made it just in time, and together—John, me, Sam, Paisley, and Jess—we learned that she had been called to serve in the Angeles Philippines Mission, beginning September 30.

There were tears, hugs, laughter, and more than a little disbelief that the little girl we've watched grow into such a remarkable young woman is about to head halfway around the world to serve.

April gave us dirty hands, competitive Scrabble games, and one unforgettable family memory we'll be talking about for years. If the rest of the year can keep up with this pace, we're in for quite the adventure.