Mother's Day

I have always known that I wanted to be a Mama. I felt like it was a part of me, like a role I was born to play. I have always anticipated the day that I would hold my baby in my arms for the first time. I wondered what I would feel the first time that I looked at you and how my life would change. I had no idea then, that my journey to motherhood would be a challenged one. I want you to know, everything that we had to overcome to meet you was undoubtedly worth it. Every month waiting, every disappointment, every tear, every injection, every night spent not knowing what the outcome would be....only praying that I would have the chance to hold you. I would do every bit of it again, without blinking. You are worth so much more to me than any fear or pain that I have ever experienced.

Being your Mama is one of my greatest joys and I love, love, love you. I love being the one to get up with you in the middle of the night and comfort you back to sleep. I love being the one to nourish you and to help you grow. I love your sweet, slobbery kisses and how they make me feel like the most special person alive. I love how you laugh and how it can't help but make my heart smile. I love the way you smell and the way your fuzzy hair tickles my face. I love how your face lights up when you see me. I love how you fit so perfectly in my arms, like we were meant to be together. I love your curiosity. Most of all, I love how you are a daily reminder of God's love and knowing that you are a precious gift, just for us. You, baby girl, are our miracle and being your Mama is one of my biggest blessings.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me this beautiful gift of motherhood. Thank you for the magical experience of pregnancy. And thank you for giving me the best partner I could have ever asked for to weather those storms. I have no words to adequately describe the feelings in my heart...I am eternally grateful. On Mother's Day, I honor and thank you for these beautiful blessings.

Traditions and Trading

Canton Trade Days is a pretty well known (famous to some of us) event in our area. Oh, how I love this place! So much so, that I am dedicating a post to it! A little history first….

How the Trade Days began

“In the earliest days of Van Zandt county, the District Judge arrived in Canton on the first monday of each month to conduct court. As we have seen in the old Western movies, court was a spectacle then (much as it can be now on TV) so the people would come in from their farms for the entertainment. Once together the people began bringing their goods for trade and the trades day became a custom that survived the civil war and all the social upheaval that ensued.

The image above, "The Trade," which is featured at the East gate of the original trade grounds, is an example of the simple trades that took place 150 years ago. "Will ya trade your dog for my gun?" After an inspection of the gun, the deal was made.

Perhaps some trades are still made the same way, but now literally millions of dollars change hands at each market in Canton. From a few traders pre-Civil War, to the quarter million that is now common over a four day weekend, Canton Trade Days has prospered.”

History was quoted from http://cantontradedays.com/town/

I can’t recall the first time that I went to Canton, but over the last 5 years, my mom and I started going yearly. It has become a tradition for us and we look forward to it each year. We pack our own lunches and purchased our own carrying cart (you see tons of these in Canton), and have mapped out our favorite places. The smell of dew on the grass and coffees in hand, we arrive early in hopes of finding good treasures! These trips aren’t JUST about the shopping (though that is a fun part of it). It is about making memories with my mom and carrying on traditions of the past. There is a part of me that loves how the trade days are a link to history. So many things have been lost to the modern convenience of malls and shopping online. Don’t get me wrong…I love to shop in malls and online, but this is special and different.

My mom and I at Canton in fall of 2010.

You can see how many cars are behind me. It's kind of a big deal around here...:)

These annual trips are something that I hope to carry on with Madeline. I look forward to creating wonderful memories with my little girl at this historic place. This year was her first trip to Canton! My mom was not able to make it on this occasion; however we were so blessed to have the company of Madeline’s Mimi! 

The food court....a funnel cake is mandatory!

Madeline and Mimi checking out shiny stuff!

One of those handy carts and one of the MANY pavilions.

Baby girl chillin' in her stroller....

She has been officially inaugurated to Canton! :)