Happy Mother's Day

I'll never forget the the first Mother's Day when I was pregnant with Mary Ella. I was only a couple of months away from delivering our first child. I think I cried 2-3 times that day already loving this little person so much it hurt. I couldn't imagine loving her any more than I already did. Boy was I wrong. I had Mary Ella and the second they put her in my arms, she took my breath away and I even think my heart skipped a beat. It is amazing to think God loves us even more than that...I honestly can't wrap my Earthly mind around that, but I know it is true.

Almost exactly two years later, I found out I was pregnant with our second daughter, Addy Scott. This pregnancy was different. I knew how much I was going to love her and the anticipation of meeting and bringing her home was so exciting. More importantly I realized I was not only bringing her into this world for our immediate family, she was a gift for so many to love. Sometimes it is hard to realize that, but really, a baby's effect reaches far beyond the walls of our home. God has great purpose for each one. Again, amazing, but SO true. I heard her cry as she took her first breath and I cried as once again my breath was taken away. Her first year was, in many ways, challenging due to her "food issues", but to see she and her sister develop their own, unique bond has been such a blessing to me. No, things are not always perfect. I often find myself saying things like, "Mary Ella, you're getting to rough," and "Please let her go." However, there are those sweet moments when they are playing in Mary Ella's room giggling and squealing. Those are the moments that affirm things are just as they were intended to be.

Eleven month's later Scott and I decided we would definitely add to our family; however, we would wait until after residency. "Let's give it another year," we said. Well, little did we know God was just softening our hearts to the idea. He felt we needed to expand our family sooner rather than later, so a couple of weeks after the conversation, we found out we were pregnant again. We often get the comments about "trying for the boy," but honestly, that did not cross our minds. We know and trust our family will be comprised of exactly what was intended. It is not our choosing....thankfully! We will know in a couple of weeks if the original prediction of "girl" is correct and will keep you posted. Meanwhile, the baby has hit a rapid growth spurt and Mary Ella's loving every minute, or should I say "inch", of it.

As I've made this journey through early motherhood I have definitely had some revelations about myself and motherhood in general (in no particular order):

1. No matter how much you think you are going to love your children, you'll love them more.
2. No matter how sweet and innocent they are as infants/children, one day they will frustrate you.
3. Personal space does not exist at this time, but I don't know what I would do without those soft hands patting me or those big, slimy kisses.
4. I grew to love my husband even more after we had children even though I didn't know it was possible.
5. I have become more obsessive-compulsive with each child that comes home. Everything has to have order and a "place".
6. Naptime is as much for the mother as it is for the children.
7. I have really come to appreciate "private" bathroom time and long showers. Something I only get if my husband is at home.
8. Motherhood is not glamorous, but there are moments that no outfit, shoes, or "perfect body" could even compare to.
9. The best times to have conversations with my children are in the car. Sometimes it is hard to remember to put down the cell phone and turn off the radio, but it is so worth it if I do.
10. Most of the time my children are dressed and look better than I do.
11. Rest is never something you'll "catch up" on, but that is ok. Moms are made for this stuff.
12. Alone time with Scott is ESSENTIAL. We don't get to very often, but it sure is nice to sit at a restaurant and enjoy a meal.
13. The responsibility of having children is more than you could ever imagine requiring lots of prayer, laughter and tears (hopefully in that order!).
14. Laughing at your own mistakes is a must. I often joke about forfeiting the "mother of the year" award.
15. Nobody is going to do things the way you do, so don't expect it. Besides it adds to the special bond between you and your kids anyways.
16. You will (at some point) worry you are showing early symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease and actually look it up. Don't worry, this is completely normal.
17. Finding a group of positive, supportive women to be around is also a *must*. Who wants to be around a bunch of "negative nancys" anyways???
18. No matter how hard you try not to, you WILL end up with frozen chicken nuggets, corn dogs and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (surely if I add broccoli it is nutritious, right???)
19. Mothers keep the "paper goods" people in business. How on Earth did mothers ever survive without paper towels and paper plates?
20. I once had a mother tell me motherhood is about the moments, not milestones which I think is so true. With each success and failure comes a moment of special meaning and insight into my children. Sometimes I don't take the time and pay attention to those little things, but once again, it is so worth it if I do.

I could go on and on, but I'll leave it at that. I honestly can say being a mother is such a blessing and a Gift only described by God's Graciousness. So to all the mothers I know out there....Happy Mother's Day to you. I hope this next year brings you many more moments to cherish and, well, some private bathroom time.