Mother's Day.....

Have you read Stephanie Nielson's book, Heaven is Here?

Despite being a huge fan of her blog and thinking I knew

all there was to know about her horrible plane crash and wonderful

family, I recently finished reading her book.  I couldn't

help myself, Stephanie's fight to survive to once again mother her children

was nothing short of inspiring.

I read Stephanie's book because, like her,

I too believe motherhood is my greatest blessing. 

 I distinctly remember that feeling of empowerment 

upon the birth of each

of my girls' along with the overwhelming sense of pure

love, love for someone and something I had never felt before.

As I reflect back on my first years as a mother, I am ashamed to admit

that I attributed my success as a parent to what I could 

accomplish - "look I can breast feed AND make dinner", "look I can

teach her to walk", "look, she is completely potty trained by age 3" etc.....

I was fulfilled and selfishly proud of how timely and 

efficiently I could meet

my baby's and toddler's each and every need

{on most good days, anyway}.

Perhaps the remnants of the 'career woman' in me defined

success as a completed to-do list?  Nonetheless,

I was feeling pretty proud of myself - {barf!}.

As my girls are getting older, my perspective and outlook

has changed dramatically.  Parenting and it's purpose has shifted.

And to some extent, the stakes are higher.

Not only am I charged with these two innocent beings survival,

I am charged with helping them to become the very best version

of who they are meant to be. Of course, I knew

this responsibility way back when they were born but

in some way I thought, "oh there is plenty of time for that

stuff, right now I have diapers to change!"

My daily thoughts now seem to be consumed with how best to

raise kind, respectful, loving, faithful, moral, intelligent,

creative, wisdom-seeking, curious, fun-loving, sensitive,

strong, polite, spiritual, thoughtful, smart, passionate children.

{Although on many days, I just want them to

be children that clean their rooms, 

pick up their socks

and perhaps put their dishes in the dishwasher - 

am I really asking too much?}

{the two beauties who MADE me a mother}

When in the moments the responsibility becomes almost
overwhelming, I remember the fabulous examples of fine women I
was raised by, and the friends who I try to surround 
myself with{heeeeeyyy, Radish girls!}.  Knowing that
the behavior and example I model is most likely the strongest
influencer in the raising of my girls' is something I am
very mindful of, each and every day.  Am I perfect? No!

But on this Mother's Day, I can say this.
I have two amazing daughters who make me exceedingly
proud to be their mother.  I genuinely like love hanging 
out with each of them. I am grateful for them
each and every day - because ultimately, they
have made me become the very best version
of who I was to be, a mother.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, we will see you Saturday!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!