Reflection on Motherhood

Yesterday was beautiful.  The sun was shining.  Breakfast was made to order.  I was able to go to all 3 of my church meetings because Larry took care of Porter at home.  I got to relax outside on my new lounge chair- thank you Larry and Sydney!  My closet clean-out has begun- thank you girls!  I enjoyed the gifts. I enjoyed the dinner at the in-laws cooked by the hubbies and cleaned up by the kiddies.  I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant Mother's day. 

I always knew I wanted to be a Mom.  It's nice to look back on my experiences in Motherhood each Mother's Day.  I need to be reminded why I'm here.  Why I chose to be a Mom above all else.  It's easy as I browse through pictures from long ago to revel in the blessings that surround me.  So bear with me.  These are just a few images that speak loudest to me today on what I think about when I think of Motherhood.

These guys are first to mind.  The most beautiful, rewarding, trying, amazing group of people I ever helped to create.

My own mother and my life as a little girl with my family.

Larry's mother and what I still learn about being a mom from her.  How grateful I am that she raised her son to be the husband and father that he is now. 

The motherly "duties" that give me a sense of accomplishment.

Basketball.  Lots and lots of basketball.

Again, these 5 people that get to call me Mom.

Motherhood in Disney World is like a double bonus in the happiness department.

My girls getting to know their Oma.

These future Moms and how they amaze me with their natural abilities to adore their brother!

Fun with my kids.  It seems to be rarer these days than it used to be.  Perhaps I've gotten old, but I need to carve out more times for the sillies.

Some of my favorite Moms around.  My sisters probably don't realize how much I rely on them for my own success.  Memories I hold dear give me a foothold while the future will always include lots of phone calls, emails and girls' weekends!

This guy right here.  He is the reason I can get up each day and do what I need to do.  He is my partner in this rollercoaster call parenthood.  He is my partner in life.  My better half, to say the least.  I love him.  I adore him.  I thank him for letting me be a Mom 5 times over.

I have chosen to surround myself (whether near or far, far away!) with Mothers at all stages.  I watch them.  I study them.  I commiserate with them.  I ask lots of questions.  I try to glean everything I can from their experiences, good and bad, so that I can discover what works for my family. 

Thanks to all of you- I hope you know who you are! 

Happy, happy Mother's day and hope these good feelings last a good, long time!

Happy Mother's Day!

I didn't want the day to pass without a little "Mom" recognition. First, a big thanks to my sweet family and especially my amazing hubby. Thank you for the nice dinner last night and the visit to the temple. Thank you, girls, for the fun and festive decorations we came home to last night- I love the Mother's Day poster and chocolates! Thanks for letting me stay up too late and sleep in plenty. Thanks for the delicious breakfast that I didn't have to cook. Thanks for the quiet time when I could paint my toenails- yeah! And a big thanks to Payton and Riley for taking shifts with Porter at home so that I could attend all of my church meetings. It really meant a lot to me. Thank you, Larry, for fixing dinner- yummy!- and then cleaning up afterwards. And a thank you in advance for taking me on a walk even in the misty rain because that is what I want to do.

I can't forget to thank all of those Moms out there who have influenced me in so many ways. Thank you, Elizabeth and Terri for being incredible sisters. Thanks friends, and you know who you are, for doing what you do and letting me peak and copy your great parenting ideas. I honestly have learned more about Motherhood from just watching those around me than any other way. I love to see Moms and their daughters all grown up who can go to lunch and go shopping just for fun. I love to see Moms and their sons who still give them hugs and kisses, even though they have to lean down to do it. Thank you all for your wonderful examples.





And thanks, Mom, for teaching me to do whatever it takes and then some. I learned to believe that I can fix anything, build anything, create anything (on almost no budget) by watching you take charge while we were kids. Hang in there and I hope you get to come home from the hospital soon!





So I guess today was about gratitude. I have felt full of thanks as I have sat and pondered about this Hallmark day. Just like I told my kids, I don't need gifts to unwrap, I don't need anyone to spend money on me. I appreciate the fact that my family spends this whole day thinking of me and I can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and whatever else suits my fancy. I'm ending the day filled with thankfulness and gratitude for the chance I have to be a Mom- good, bad and overwhelming included.





Now let's go for that walk!