Mom! ~ Happy Mother's Day :)

I've heard many people say they have the best mom in the world... and I am blessed to be one of those people. Is she perfect? No... but has she always done everything she could to make my life the best it could be? Absolutely!

I'll always remember crawling in bed with my mom when I was little and snuggling up with her (she let us take turns sleeping with our head rested on her arm, and I didn't realize until I was a mom just how uncomfortable that can be after awhile!).

My mom probably struggled as a single parent, providing for two little girls with no outside help, but I had no idea because our home was filled with love. I never felt like I was missing out on anything, though I'm sure there were times she wished she could "do more". There's nothing else I could have wanted.

She took us to church and taught us about Jesus. When we got hurt, she'd pray. The only music I remember hearing in our home was worship music. We SAW her reading her Bible. These things are probably the most important - and I'm thankful to have had that foundation.

As I got older, I gave my mom more trouble and heartache than I'm sure she ever imagined. I was defiant, I lied, I gave up on school, I was terribly disrespectful and downright mean to her at times. But no matter what, she never gave up on me. She always showed me love, even when I was unlovable. I never doubted her love for me. Still to this day I have guilt and regret for all those years of rebellion, but mostly for the way I treated my mom. I'm so glad she kept praying for me and always welcomed me back with open arms.

I made her a grandma at an early age, but she fell into that role as naturally as anyone could. She didn't look down on me, the 17 year old mom, or judge me as so many others did. She didn't make me think I was a "less than" mother, she helped and encouraged me to become the mom that I did. I wasn't the best, but she was always there for my kids and I know she's a big reason they have turned into the great young men they are now. As I've given her more and more grandkids :) - she's loved each one like it was the first. Always as excited as I was when they were born (sometimes maybe even moreso!)

She has done more for my family and I than we deserve. It would take me a year to write down all the things she's done, given, sacrificed. I'd love to say I'll pay her back someday, somehow... but I just don't think it's even possible!

I thank the Lord for choosing her to be MY mom. She's my best friend - the first person I want to call when something good happens, and the first person I call when things aren't so good and I need a shoulder. I can't imagine living life without her.

Mom,
I love you so very, very much. I don't tell you or show you as much as I should, but don't ever think it's because I don't feel it! You are my rock. You are more than I could ask for in a grandma - my kids are also very blessed that they get to have you in their lives. If I am doing a good job with my own kids it's because I had a wonderful example. I hope you know just how much you mean to me. I wish I had more eloquent words to describe my love and appreciation for you. THANK YOU for being my mom!

Silly Mommy

Today as I left to take DS #2 to the pool, carrying a baby and ushering DS #4 to the van, I realized I still had my slippers on. I figured no one would know and I'd rather not take the time to go back inside, get shoes on and start the parade to the van all over again. That got me thinking about all things we, as moms, say, think and do that we probably never thought we would. Here are some of the things that came to mind that I will admit to...

Took the kids to school while still in my pajamas and often no bra - just praying I don't get pulled over.

Picked a binky up off the floor and licking it to make sure it's "clean" before giving it to the baby.

Went through half the day before noticing my shirt was on backwards or inside out.

Called one of my boys by 3 other names before I finally say the correct one (even when looking right at him) many times.

Pretended that the tantruming child on the floor of Walmart was not my own.

Stated "because I'm your mom and I said so!" even though I swore I'd never say that to my own kids.

Made up "facts" about geography or science when my kids asked me something I had absolutely no idea about.

Measured the cleanliness of a piece of clothing by smelling it.

Licked my finger so I could wipe crud off my kid's face - another thing I swore I'd never do.

Wrote made-up dates of "baby's firsts" in the baby book years after the fact so my son won't think I didn't care when he reads it someday.

Nursed my newborn in a bathroom stall of a restaurant because I was scared to do it in public.

Sent my husband "out to have fun alone" so I could call & tell him I was pregnant with #4 over the phone instead of in person.

Went out in public with spit-up, dried food and the likes on my clothes (sometimes without knowing and sometimes just thinking "who cares").

I'm sure there are many more things I've said and done as a mom that my younger self would say to me now "I'll never do that!". And I'm sure my fellow moms out there have plenty of stories of their own! I'll leave you with a couple funny quotes I found, enjoy :)

"If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylum would be filled with mothers."
~Edgar Watson Howe

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it."
~The Golden Girls