Mother's Day

Being a mother is such an awesome gift. Every time I get a tight squeeze from their tiny little arms my heart melts. One flash of their crooked grins makes me smile. The sparkle in their bright blue eyes makes me happy. Their giggles are music to my ears. Every sticky sweaty kiss I treasure.

Motherhood is a gift I almost missed.

I used to think being pregnant made you a mother. Now I think differently. Some people who become pregnant are clearly not mothers. Some of the best mothers have never carried a child in their own womb.

Motherhood is something that occurs in a special moment where you realize "Wow. This child is MINE."  Maybe it's that first kick. Or that first cry. Or looking into those big blue eyes. Or signing the papers. And somewhere deep down in your heart you vow to yourself to protect them and nurture them for as long as you live.

Every Mother's Day I look at my two beautiful boys and wonder how different my life would have been without them. This would be a terribly sad day of mourning all those hugs, grins, giggles, and sticky sweaty kisses lost instead of a joyous day of celebrating.

So every Mother's Day I say a little prayer for the mothers of all the angel babies out there. Whether by accident or choice, it can't be an easy day. It makes me cry just to imagine how bad my heart would ache to see and hold my boys if I never had the chance to watch them grow. And it makes me all the more grateful for each and every precious moment with them.

Summer Bucket List

This is my last summer off during college. I will be graduating in December and getting a "big girl job". Here is a list I made of all the little things I want to do with my boys before school starts again. Most of these things cost little if anything to do and can be done with little planning. I enojyed all these activities and more as a child. I am looking forward to having fun and making memories with them each and every day!

The Hardest Job

Five years ago today I landed the most difficult, most demanding, and yet most rewarding job I have ever had. I was sixteen, scared, and overwhelmed. I felt so unqualified and unprepared, but grateful and blessed. This job has made me laugh, cry, scream, and everything in between. My to-do list is never done; my work space is always a mess! I work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays with no sick days or vacation. I have never received a raise, promotion, or even a paycheck.
You see, five years ago today I became a mother.

Being a mother is such a hard job, but I am so glad I gave it a shot. My big buddy makes me so proud. He is sweet, tender-hearted, thoughtful, and kind. He is obedient (for the most part!) and well-behaved. He does well in school. He makes friends everywhere he goes. His laugh is contagious. His smile sparkles.

My little buddies are the reason I created this blog. I want to make each and every day special for them. I want to remember all the cute things they say and the sweet things they do. I want to remember that the most important part of being their mother is not having a sparkling clean house or ironed clothes or three course dinners. The most important part is making memories with them...savoring all the special moments that happen everyday... taking time to slow down, breathe, and laugh... enjoying the little things like smelling flowers, catching bugs, making mudpies, having tickle fights, and sweaty sticky kisses.