Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was AMAZING.  I awoke to a clean house and French toast (my favorite).  The kids had made me a GIANT card that was so sweet.  Ema made me a plaque at school with her handprint and I cried as I read the poem.  My baby girl is almost a 2nd grader. And my baby boy is starting Kindergarten in the fall.  How did that happen? 
It could've been the hormones, but it was a very emotional day and I loved it.  We had a great program at church and spent the evening in Pine Valley with Justin's Mom and Dad.  

I absolutely LOVE being a mother.  It is hard work and sometimes discouraging, but I am grateful for such wonderful children.  I remember how much I loved college because how it felt to be rewarded for my hard work.  I would get a certificate after a long semester telling me I'd made the Dean's List.  There is no "Dean's List" with motherhood.  You have to trust that you're doing a good job and that you're family is grateful for you because they often forget to tell you :) I guess that's why we have Mother's Day!

A few (of the many) things I have learned about motherhood:

• Motherhood is payback for all the stress you put your parent's through as a child.
• No matter what my children do or say I will never stop loving them.  In fact, the older they get and the more we form a real relationship, I realize how unconditionally a parent can love their child.  It makes me look at my parent's in a whole new light and I'm grateful for all they've sacrificed for me.
• Laundry, dishes and messes will never end.  So don't wish them too.  Just embrace the opportunity you have to teach your children to work.  If you start doing it for them - it's hard to stop.  (I know this from experience).
• There ARE going to be times when your kids know more than you.
• Having more than one child just multiplies your capacity to love.

I will cherish the day that motherhood becomes my only job again.

P.S. This is a shout out to my wonderful mother who has been such a great example of unconditional love and forgiveness.  I know that she should have WAY more gray hairs than she does after raising 3 daughters.  We weren't that nice to her at times.  But she's always been willing to do whatever she could for us and I love her for that.  I also have 2 "other" mother's who have been great examples to me.  Thank You!