Marinda's First Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! Today Amit surprised Marinda with breakfast in bed and a card. He made french toast with cream cheese and syrup. He also made her a 'card' (aka a printed out word document) that included the following picture.

"It's Marinda's first real Mother's Day," Amit said. "So I wanted to make it special. She's had a roller coaster ride of a year but she's been a good mom throughout everything. She really is a supermom, only instead of battling evil villains in the outside world she's battling depression, diapers and drool."

Marinda had the following thought about Mother's Day: "While I was sitting in church hearing all these praises to mother's and the sacrifices they make, I was trying hard not to be overcome by guilt.  I've been very sick most of this year, so those late nights and dirty diapers and load after load of laundry were left on Amit.  It made me feel terrible, like I was a bad mom because I wasn't fulfilling my duty.  Then I thought of something I did right - the most important right thing I could have possibly done.  The most important and the most validating proof that I am a good mother is the fact that I chose Amit to be my children's father."

In sad news this week Amit's Ai (his mother's mother) passed away. She will be missed, and we feel terrible we weren't able to see her and show her Luke when we went to India. Marinda did get to meet her though. They came for our wedding and she even danced with Amit at the reception!  "She made me feel so special," Marinda remembers, "even though we didn't speak the same language, by the time we left I knew she loved me."

We will miss you Ai,
Thank you for all you did!

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This last Thursday we took Luke to the zoo for the first time with some of his pals. Look at these three - they're like a stroller gang. Especially the one on our left - does that look like the face of an innocent man? No, of course not. He's a baby, not a man.

The Rav P Stroller Gang!

Luke there are giraffes! Ignore the little kids running around and pay attention to what we say is cool!

Those gorillas look comfortable

Jaguar, literally inches away from the babies.
Are we bad parents for letting them get so close?

'I smell breakfast!'

Checking out the penguins!

ELEPHANT!

The elephant did a little dance for us

This weekend was also one of Luke's friend's 1st Birthdays! To celebrate we went to a nearby park where we ate hotdogs, danced to some music, played with bubbles and dug into cupcakes!  Each baby also got a balloon tied to their hand - it was the best idea we have ever seen!  We will miss our good friends and neighbors the Jenkins SO MUCH, but are so glad we got to spend a year of our lives with them.

Hum... what is this?  Can I eat it?

Luke discovers that the balloon feels funny on his face
"I like you" - Luke

How did you find me? I had the best hiding spot!

One of the birthday boy's favorite things is dancing to Latin music, which is what Luke is trying to do

Watch out Uncle Ben!  Luke's got some moves!

Second favorite thing - bubbles!

Our attempt to line up the babies for a group shot.
Yeah - Right!

Laila riding Luke like a horse - if they get married this will be a great photo to put up on a big screen at their wedding.

Marinda's favorite picture

Yesterday continued with Marinda's May Harp Concert!  Seven of her nine students performed, and they all did an amazing job!  The concert ended with Marinda performing, then sharing some yummy treats.  Teaching the harp really is one of the best jobs you can have - the amount of happiness, confidence and inner strength it brings out in her students is an amazing thing to witness let alone be a part of.  "Everyone should have something in their life that makes them keep reaching, developing, growing and becoming the person they dream of being."

The concert was great, but we think that everyone would agree that Luke was actually the star of the show.  He was just smothered in attention - and he loved every minute of it!

And if you haven't yet, go to Facebook and "like" Misra Harp!

Misra Harp's New Official Logo!
Designed by Marinda
(This is the part where you all comment
and tell Marinda how awesome and professional it looks.)

Marinda's students tuning their harps before the concert

Marinda and Seven of her FABULOUS Students!

A Big, GIANT thanks to Amit.  Without his support and countless hours of behind the scenes, Marinda teaching harp would not be possible.  He is truly Amazing! "Yea, I'm basically the COO of Misra Harp," Amit said. "I make sure things happen." And Luke, he's the CBO - the Chief Baby Officer - who makes sure things happen in a cute way.

Hope you all enjoyed the million of pictures from this week!