Things I know for sure being an older mom

School drop-off selfie

Mother's Day is coming up, and we are again reminded of the great mothers in our lives. There is no one that can replace your own mother and the sacrifices she has made for you. The beliefs she has for you, and that she is always there to have your back. Even when you are over 50 years yourself... (Yes, even more!) Thanks, Mom!

Celebrating the older Mom series at FunMammaSA

Judy at Fun Mamma (who is a mother of 7, and also had a little one when she was over 40) is doing a great series in celebrating the older mom. We also had to answer a series of questions: Celebrating the older mom Karen from MomAgain@40

This made me think about the things that I know for sure about being an older mom...

The first time I saw your faces

Daughters

With Mother's Day coming up and having all the warm fuzzy feelings about being a mother, and having a Mom whom I only appreciate more and more... I feel blessed. I have signed up for the first time for the Mother's Day Connect on Sunday where groups of moms will visit new moms in hospitals. You can still sign up here: Embrace Mother's Day Connect. It's only an hour out of your day, and you can still be back with your family on Sunday.

I was very lucky to have support and family, and we could prepare for both our daughters. I can't imagine how scary it must be when you don't have that?

I can still remember how I felt when I first saw these precious faces.

Pamper yourself this Mother's Day!

#NuSkin4Moms spoils

Mother's Day is upcoming, and it is lovely to look at all the Mother's Day wish-lists doing the rounds. I can come up with a few gadgets of my own!

But this Mother's Day the budget is tight! There was Valentine's Day in February where we got to spent the weekend at Dikholo, my birthday in March and our 13th anniversary. There was too much celebrations and gifts in too short a space!

I am not complaining at all! About not getting presents. Hubby and the kids have been told that a card would suffice! I have all the presents I need! I am the luckiest mother there is. I have two beautiful daughters, with both still staying under our roof! I thank my lucky stars that we are a family that's intact, and that we can share our lives together! And brace ourselves together when the going gets tough!

I was sent a Nu Skin Pamper Kit - I love my Mom Gift Box - as part of the Nu Skin Mother's Day campaign. It is a divine luxurious spoil!

The pamper kit contains:

• ReNu Hair Mask: a deep conditioning treatment that keeps hair hydrated and prevents split ends.
• Body Smoother: A quick-absorbing smoother that seals moisture with skin nourishing properties.
• Hand Lotion: A moisture-rich hand lotion to keep hands supple during the upcoming winter days.
• Epoch Fire Walker: Put your feet up and keep them rejuvenated with this soothing foot cream.

I have used all of this products already, and I will keep on using it until the last drop.
It makes me feel special, good to do something NICE for myself, and to take a bit of me-time each day! The hand cream makes my hands looks less as if they have been in water for ages. I have already had to inform Little Miss that I am a mermaid during the day. (She does not believe me, but she asks me regularly why my hands looks so wrinkly!)

The pamper kit reminds me that we as moms should take more spoil-time for ourselves, even if we don't have the luxury of a great product such as Nu Skin. We can spoil ourselves with what we have in the cupboard.

Nu Skin Epoch Fire Walker on my feet

How cool are these Instagram photos that was sent with the blog drop?

Well done, and thanks, Nu Skin and Mbali from Engage Joe Public!

The daughters that are my biggest gifts!

How do you spoil yourself?
Do you make time to spoil yourself!
What are you planning for Mother's Day?

If the budget is not that tight, this a divine pamper kit for any Mother on Mother's Day!

I know what I want for Mother's Day!

New Mac Notebook

I have a new focus on my Vision Board. The New Mac Notebook was revealed last night, and I had the good fortune to hold it in my hands.

New MacBook reveal at the iStore last night

It's super thin 13.1 mm, very light 0.9 kg and has a 12-inch retina display!
It's got stunning specs, but I was amazed at how light and shiny it is. There is an option between dove grey, silver or gold colours. (The gold one gets my vote!)

I can picture myself taking this everywhere. As you all know that I LOVE my iPad, and that I take it everywhere with me, but there are still some things you can't do with an iPad.
The new Mac Notebook will definitely be great to have to be able slip in my handbag, and take it along as well as it apparently also got super long battery life!

The Reveal Film gives a better idea of how beautiful it is, but I suggest you go to the nearest iStore this weekend to hold one in your hands!

As I know that I have a less than zero chance to get one now - the Dutwats-family is super broke, AND we are trying to save for that upcoming US tour - I can still drool over it!
It's first on my Vision Board of gadgets that I want!
It will be my gift to myself! (Promise!)

----------

For Mother's Day on Sunday I am looking forward to spend the weekend with my family. On Sunday we will be spending it with my parents and an aunt who's also been a second mother to me and to the daughters, at a restaurant. The ultimate treat for us as mothers!

I am grateful for the great mother that I have, and grateful being a mother to two daughters who are bringing me so much joy!
(We will be missing The Student who won't be able to make it for the weekend!)


What are your plans for Mother's Day, and what do you want as Mother's Day gift?


Disclaimer: No, I was not given a new MacBook! (*crying*) 
                 Or asked to write anything, or got anything for writing this! 

Wordless Wednesday #226 - Mother's Day card

Questions for Mother's Day

We received this cute questions and answers for Mother's Day from the pre-primary school. It is very sweet!
It also reminded me of how the smallest things (seemingly), can be the most important to Little Missy. I will spend more time bathing and eating cookies with her! ;-)

(Translated)

How old is Mom?

10

What is Mom's favourite food?

Mushrooms and pasta 

What does Mom like to drink?

Wine and tea

What work does Mom do?

Computer work

How much money does Mom have?

60

What does Mom do when she rests?

She sits and lies on the coach and watch tv.

What does Mom watch on television?

Ice Age 

What clothes does Mom like to wear?

Dresses

What do you and Mom do together which is very special?

We bath together and we eat cookies



Related posts:

On Mother's Day

Too many Mother's Days

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day

It is only being a mother, that you truly understand what your own mother has done for you!

Thank you, Mom!

- Thanks for being there for us. We could always count on you!
- Thanks for the wonderful example you have been of being a mother!
- Thanks for loving us!
- Thanks for being a great grandmother as well!

We are lucky to have you!

I am also thinking about all the Moms who desperately want to be Moms, but can't!
I am especially thinking about all the Moms who do not have their own biological children, but makes so much difference in the lives of children that they have adopted or are involved with!

And last, thinking of dear people who were waiting for that special child, wanting to adopt him, and the longed-for baby who died this week in childbirth!


Check out A Child After 40 Tribute album to Mothers over 40.

Being a mother

Mother's Day is not only a reminder of my own mother and how I appreciate her even more now that I have my own children...

It is also being grateful for the two daughters I have in my life! I even got to experience motherhood 15 years on, when most people are beginning to think about having their lives back to themselves! I am so glad that we can have the experience all over again!

I am so thankful to the two special people who came to share our lives with us! I believe that we get to choose our parents in the before-time, and I am so glad that we were chosen.

We get to experience life all over again. Just when we start to think that we "know" everything, and have "seen" everything, we get to see life from a totally different perspective!

Thanks, my daughters, for your uniqueness, and your love!

We love journeying with you! You are enriching us each day with "new" experiences! (Each experience feels "new" when seeing it through your eyes again!)



What have you been doing on Mother's Day?



Photo: We cannot take too much photos of the toddler being on a swing! Each time is such a fun experience for her! We love looking/pushing on! (At the fairy party this weekend)

Too many Mother's Days?

Is it possible that we can have too many Mother's Days? According to my Mother, Yes!
We should not even bother about her on Sunday...

What can you say to that? (*sigh*)

This week I want to say how grateful I am for my mother, and mothers in general!

I am linking up with Bron at Maxabella loves, who has moved her Grateful for... to Village Voices



I am even grateful to the MIL.
If it was not for her, I would not have had the pleasure of having the Hubby in my life, and I would not have had the opportunity myself to be the mother again of a wonderful little girl!

Some people hate the idea of a day set up specifically for Mother's, and say that we should be thankful to our mothers every day. But I love the idea of a specific day to honour the people that are important to us.

A Mother's Day is also a way of starting a tradition in a family which we all look forward to each year!

Thanks, Mom!
I only realised how much you had done for us when I had my own kids.
There is a lot of stuff that we took for granted, and thought it was part of being a Mom.
But it is a daily choice to be there for your kids and support them in all their endeavours!
We have been lucky for all the support all through the years!
We also knew we could count on you when we needed you!

Last night Mom and Dad watched after the little one while we attended a show.
Although they were both sick and looked like they both should stay in bed, they were willing to help out. Luckily the show did not last that long...
A big thank you!

SHORT FILM: NEW DOCTORS PANEL SPEAKS CANDIDLY ON LATER MOTHERHOOD!

FlowerPowerMom

FlowerPowerMom today announces the upcoming launch of INFORMED CHOICES FOR LATER MOTHERS: What Women Should Know About Fertility, Birth and Parenting After 40 with the release of a 2-minute film trailer revealing key highlights. 

It's the first multidisciplinary panel of doctors and experts to speak candidly on the controversy surrounding later motherhood.

It will premiere on MOTHER'S DAY, 13TH MAY 2012 at www.FlowerPowerMom.com —the advocacy website for later mothers—in a short film featuring experts from reproductive endocrinology, obstetrics, Chinese medicine, clinical-child psychology, adult psychotherapy and bioethics.

The new panel, first of its kind, calls for change in how we understand and deal with the skyrocketing population of women around the world having children after 40.

WATCH the short 2-minute trailer NOW by clicking on the FPM homepage: www.FlowerPowerMom.com.

For more information, please contact:
Angel LaLiberte, Founder
Informed Choices for Later Mothers at www.FlowerPowerMom.com
Email: editor@flowerpowermom.com.

Wordless Wednesday #75 - Mother's Day gift from day care

Mother's Day 2011
Photo of Toddler framed in picture made at day care

Related post:
Wordless Wednesday #23 - Little hand - the previous year's Mother's Day card from day care

Thanks Mom

It is especially true when you have your own children that you realize how much your own Mom has done for you:

• She always had an extra helping hand when money matters were tight when you were at home.
• She made sure you had your cupboard stocked up for the season before she bought clothes for herself!
• She fetched and taxied you and friends to whenever you wanted to go! (Without complaining!)
• She was always preparing food, and making those lunches for school.
• She worked full-time to help provide for us.
• She believed in us, and helped us believe in ourselves!
• She taught us: Women can do anything!

Thanks, Mom! You are still the best! I have the best Mom in the World!

My Teen placed the following quote on my wall on Facebook today:
“This heart, my own dear Mother, bends with love’s true instinct, back to thee!” – Thomas Moore

I hope you had a great Mother's Day? Mine was spent with Hubby and the girls! Cannot hope for a better way to spend a Mother's Day!

Related post:
Mother's Day 2010

Wordless Wednesday #23 - Little hand

Mother's Day

My 2 beautiful daughters

It is wonderful to be a mother! Today we spent the day with family, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to have a mother whom I can be grateful for, and to be a mother!


Thank you, Mother, for now we know how difficult it has been to raise us! The sleepless nights, driving around with a baby at ten at night (which we did just now), the worries ... (long list)! We also know how extremely awe-inspiring and satisfying it is to see a little one grow up into becoming their own unique beings!

It is such a cliché! (Gag, gag!) Being a mother has made me gone soft and mushy and saying “CUTE!” to every baby I see. (Meaning it really! Really!) By becoming a mother, you also succumb to all the soppy! And loving it...

How we have fallen! (Smug smile!)

The whole of Johannesburg rocked up at the Sappi Sunday Picnic Concert at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens! It was a lovely sunny day, with picnic and music. The Girl Zone band entertained us with popular tunes. There were children everywhere... It was a perfect family outing. My own grandmother (of eighty more years) came with as well, and it was inspiring to see that she enjoyed it! You go, grandmother!

I am planning to also be “game” for everything when I am older! WE don’t ever have to be “old”! (Please remind me when I forget about this in future years, my daughters.)