A Celebration of Motherhood

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms, Moms-to-Be, and Praying-to-Become Moms.

 

A MOTHER IS SHE WHO CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF ALL OTHERS

BUT WHOSE PLACE NO ONE ELSE CAN TAKE

Let’s face it.  Raising a family in today’s chaotic world is really hard.  Most of us are over-worked, over-scheduled, over-stressed and over-tired.  We have the best intentions to raise our families in a calm, loving and supportive environment, but then life just gets in the way.

We all have those visions of the Mom we want to be.

• The mom who never yells and is able to diffuse all tantrums and arguments with dignity and grace.
• The mom who always has a fresh, homemade meal on the table.
• The mom who can easily navigate the overwhelming grocery store, with 3 screaming kids in tow,  to find the best deals on the healthiest products.
• The mom who has enough energy at the end of a long day to spend quality time with her husband.
• The mom who can successfully balance her professional and family demands.
• The mom who can get through homework and school projects without needing a glass of wine to recover.
• The mom who has time for PTA meetings and committees, exercise routines, crafts and hobbies, and girls nights out.
• The mom who can make all her masterpieces look just like the ones on Pinterest.
• The mom whose kids never swear because they never heard a swear word come out of her mouth.
• The mom who can still rock a bikini after having several children.
• The mom who has gone through every single nook and cranny of her home using the KonMari method.
• The mom who can sit calmly on the sidelines at the soccer field.
• The mom who is never embarrassed to offer someone a ride because her mini-van is always clean and crumb free.
• The mom who has a well manicured lawn and fresh vegetables blooming in her garden.

Today, I invite you think about and reflect on the Mom you ARE, not the Mom you wish you were.   Because the mom you ARE is the one your kids and family love, cherish and admire.

When I think about being a mom and what it means to me, I realize I can’t do it all alone, and I am grateful for the village.  I think we could all use a reminder, we are not in this alone.  Even if you think you are, you’re not.

Today I am grateful for:

• My parents who gave me life and raised me to be the Mom I am today.  (And the parents who raised them)
• My extended family members who have taught me the true value of family.
• My husband who loves me enough to do this parenting gig with me.
• The childcare centers who keep my children safe while I am out doing my thing in this world.
• The schools who are teaching my children all the things I can’t.
• My friends who are there to keep me sane when I need it the most.
• The NICU Moms who remind me to be forever grateful for my healthy children.
• Facebook for making it impossibly easy to stay connected to friends and family near and far.
• The internet for it’s invaluable resources allowing me to google every symptom, ailment, home remedy and recipe I could ever need.
• The health care practitioners who help keep my family healthy.
• The Mommy Bloggers who inspire me and keep me connected to a community where I know I’m never alone.
•  The Wiggles and Barney who keep my toddler entertained for a few minutes so I can fold the laundry or wash the dishes.
• My bookclub for allowing me to partake in the wine drinking even if I haven’t read the book.
• The video monitor so I can peak at my sweet angel sleeping anytime I want without waking her up.
• The yoga pants that have just the right amount of support to suck in my stretched out belly.
• Days of our Lives to numb my brain after a long, hard day.

My Inspiration

 

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their heart forever.

As I reflect on Mother’s Day, I remember the ones that stand out the most.

May 2006.  My very first Mother’s Day.

There are places in the heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child.

May 2007.  My son came into this world 2 days before Mother’s Day.

A beautiful treasure, more precious than gold.  My own baby boy to love and to hold.

May 2014.  My first Mother’s Day with this sweet little nugget.

Being a mother is discovering strengths you didn’t know you had and dealing with fears you never knew existed.

May 2015.  I feared this might be the last Mother’s Day I spent with my Mom.  Today, I celebrate her remission!

For the friend, the support, the mom you are… I love you.

How about you?  What do you think of when you celebrate Mother’s Day?  What are you grateful for?  Leave a comment below to inspire other Moms.

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