Happy Mother's DAY!

Isn't being a mom great! Isn't being a DAUGHTER even more great, now that you are a mom??!! :) You can appreciate your mom so much more- and understand how it is to be a mom, and how AMAZING she truly is!! I love the picture above because it is with my dear, sweet mother- who raised me and taught me everything I know along with my dad. She is always there for me when I need her. She has supported me and encouraged me in ALL my dreams, no matter how crazy they sounded! She truly believes in me... she doesn't just say she does. In the picture I'm also 7 months pregnant with Ethan. I love the picture because here is me with my mom, and I'm all grown now and about to bring another child into this world to raise and to teach him everything I have learned from my mom. It is MY turn to be a mom, and my mom's turn to be a grandma!! (even though she is still VERY much MY mom:)) I love my mom and I'm so PROUD to be my mom's daughter! And I LOVE being a mom!
Here are 2 of my favorite "recent" pictures of being a mom! I get to see the world through the eyes of a child again, I get to remember how fun life can be- and not to take things SOOO seriously! The world will ALWAYS keep spinning and it won't stop, but WE can stop and take a moment to love our precious little ones. I love going into my kids rooms at night after they are sleeping and I'm reminded that motherhood is a privilege- and I have been given the privilege to raise my kids on the right path.
If I think about it too long- I get kind of freaked out about ALL that mommyhood entails- and how IMPORTANT my roll really is. But as I take it one day at a time, and one step at a time - things seem to work out and I notice my kids are really learning and they absorb so much more information then I think. I love being a MOM! I wouldn't have it any other way - yes, Bertie is so much more then just a mom- but the CORE of me is a mom - and there is no "just" about it! I was recently reading through the most recent conference talks and Cheryl C. Lant's talk on "Righteous Traditions" caught my eye.

As I was reading, this quote caught my attention,

"At the end of my father’s life, he passed much more on to us, his children, than a red ruby ring. His body was spent, but in reality he stood as a pillar of strength, an example of righteousness and truth. His very life held the traditions that strengthen us today, even though he is no longer with us. He was “steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.”

Father could easily be substituted for mother. I want my traditions of who I am and what I stand for to be seen in my children when they are raising their own. I want them to remember me, in the way that I know my own mother and will remember her when she passes on. I know that all the good my mom taught me - I am certainly TRYING to pass that on to my children.

Being a mom is hard work-- there is no question about it... but it is so worth it and I wouldn't have it any other way. I LOVE BEING A MOM!!! And I'm very grateful to my own mom for the example she set for me and embodying what a true mother is! I LOVE YOU MOM!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!