On Being a Mom...

On this Mother's Day, I'd like to recognize my mom and all the magnificent mothers around me for the wonderfulness they bring. Mothers most definitely provide a unique brand of love and comfort that is unparalleled and which does so much good for the world. They can do 70,000 things at one time and give every last drop of themselves and then give just a little bit more after that. Let's think about what kind of place the world would be without moms. Actually, let's not. It would NOT be awesome.

After becoming a mom, I can truly appreciate the years of effort and time and love and money that my parents put into raising us. We were given awesome experiences, fun vacations, lots of love and all the resources that we needed to thrive. Our life was cushy, but not so cushy that we didn't learn to be just a little bit gritty. In our house, there was no quitting just because we didn't like something or thought it was too hard. It was an upbringing that has served us well. I think that I'm a fairly well-rounded and self-sufficient person because of it. Thanks, Mom, for all those years that you put into parenting us! Also, thank you now for tirelessly loving my own kids and keeping them in your home sometimes so that I can get a break when my head is about to explode. It saves me.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't express how grateful I was for the experience of being a mom, myself. As anyone who has done it knows, the moment you become a mom is the moment you say good-bye to your former self and become a new and better person. It can be a difficult and sometimes painful transformation, but it's a necessary one. For some mothers, the transformation is immediate and they fall right into their new role after a short adjustment period, and everything is really good. For others, it's long and drawn out, and sometimes it is agonizing. I fall somewhere toward the latter end of the spectrum. It's been a journey, and one that has involved trying and failing and learning and lots and lots of frustration. Almost four years into this, though, I can look back and see that I've made considerable progress as a person. Motherhood has taught me compassion, patience, tolerance and perseverance. I have learned more in the last four years than I've ever learned in any four-year program of higher education, but improving myself will be a work-in-progress until it's all said and done.

The boys brought me breakfast in bed, and Graham came toddling in waving this rose all over the place. It was the best.

The people that gave me my title and make me so tired and fill my heart and house with endless love.

Gavin's project from church this morning, which makes our life sound like one big snuggle/dance/hugging/tickle party. Which it is, sometimes. This book made me so happy!

Except that I DO like apple slices. And, I think once I won an award for "Worst Dancer," so I'm glad Gavin admires my talent.

Some days are hard and sometimes the sacrifices feel like too much. However, I'm hardly unique. Everyone has their good days and bad says. Sweet moments and tough ones. Doubt, discouragement, exhaustion and defeat are all part of the package. It's what makes it a journey, and any mom will tell you it's awesome and worth it, but nobody will tell you it's easy. How grateful I am to know and nurture the two boys that call me mom. Nothing has ever kicked my butt so hard nor been so worth my while.

Happy Mother's Day!