As a Mother

Being a Mother is commonly noted as the most challenging and yet rewarding of roles. Lately I have felt this more than ever, as our home transitions from a family of four to a family of five. I constantly witness little and big acts of love from my growing little children. I am so proud of them and their love for every member of our family. As hard as some days are, feeling consistently pulled in different directions, I am loving our moments home snuggled all together giving Sydney kisses or taking a big nap in Mommy and Daddy's bed. I wish I could say I have got our new routine down, but I think I am loving just taking it slow and enjoying days on the fly better. I am so blessed with such a loving husband who does his best to show his love for me and care for me in all the best ways. I am so grateful for his words of encouragement and support, each and every word brings me the comfort I need as a Mother.

As a Mother I am wanted and needed and loved completely, and at some moments to the point of exhaustion, but I would have it no other way. As a Mother I get to watch and learn with my children seeing them grow and discover the world around them. At times the ways of the world haunt me, giving me sleepless nights just picturing my little ones growing up in it. I can only hope that through the Lord and His teachings they can be strong and overcome whatever the world tries to throw at them. As a Mother I worry and cry over them, as I do my best to protect them. But as a Mother I know that they will make mistakes, and along with their successes will come failures. As a Mother I compare myself to others, I wish I didn't but I do, and I do my best to remember these words:
"There is no perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each Mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a Mother loves her children deeply." {Elder M. Russel Ballard - Daughters of God}

This year as I thought of my own Mother and pondered on motherhood itself I thought of the miracle that makes us Mothers. Not just the hours of labor but the 9 months of creation, both of which are filled with physical sacrifice and pain. I am continually amazed as I look back and ponder on my own childhood the influence and love that my own Mother had on each of her children. For me being a mother sometimes means having the endurance, at times, to look towards tomorrow. The days do not come without challenges and I’ll admit that I do not always feel up to the task. But I cannot help but look up to my Mother's example. A Mother who laughed, and danced, and sang. A Mother who knew the importance of being a friend. A Mother who encouraged dreaming. A Mother who continually worried, and cried, and feared for each of her children; in a world of growing temptation and desecration. A Mother who protected us, even when we fought and lacked the understanding to see why. A mother who celebrated with us at our best. A Mother who cradled us at our worst and pushed us forward, even when we were blinded by fear. A Mother who taught; about faith, life, and education. A Mother who always had a smile on her face.  I am so grateful for her strength to stand as a Mother, proud and true.

My sister sent me this quote it is only too true to my state of motherhood right now. I love the reminder to cherish the role as Mother. Some days are hard and are filled with dirty diapers, whining cries, screaming wants, toddlers tantrums, and major messes; but at the end of the day I have three sweet babies who want nothing more than to sleep in my arms. They want kisses and songs and stories and "back scratches" and whispered prayers of love. It is in these precious moments that no matter how hard the day is I am reminded that motherhood is a sacred and divine calling that needs to be cherished and loved.

"The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s bread winning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs—Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island.
... Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones." 
{Elder Holland - Because She Is a Mother}

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #1

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #2

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #3