I love Moms!

To all of you amazing moms out there that I learn so much from, Happy Mother's Day! Sometimes, by the end of the day, I feel like I've been through the washing machine (I'm certain our clothes haven't), but today was a great day!

I usually get really sentimental on Mother's Day, but I'll spare you and share the cute stuff that happened.

1. I slept until 8:30. Best present ever.

2. My kids and hubby brought me breakfast in bed--I went downstairs to eat with them, since syrup and semi-new comforter are not a good mix.

3. I got lots of presents. My very fashionable husband picked out 3 perfect things for me. Jace made me the cuteset recipe card holder ever and a few great cards that were fill in the blank style. He said:

I am as tall as daddy, weigh as much as my mom (score! My mom for sure weighs less than I do), I'm as old as his grandpa, my hair is the color of dirt, he loves me because I make him breakfast every morning, the funniest thing I do is tickle him, I love him because he does nice things for me, My favorite food is vegetables (if he only knew what I ate after he goes to sleep), my favorite thing to do it the laundry...so cute huh?

4. Parker and James made me handprints in nursery.

5. Mike had NO church meetings, so we hung all day together.

6. Mike wouldn't let me do anything and kept telling me to sit and relax, until I wanted to crawl out of my skin, so he let me start doing things.

7. We kept things really simple today, ate pasta for lunch, and smoothies and cookies for dinner on the back patio-my kind of day.

8. We delivered cookies to some great moms and took a walk.

9. My kids told me a million times Happy Mother's Day, with that, "I'm so proud of myself" smile on their face.

Just a quick sentimental note: I have amazing women and examples in my life. My mom, mother-in-law, and grandmothers have all been examples of strong women who dedicate themselves to their family without ever losing who they are. I'm so grateful to have had such happy, loving women in my life.

I'm so grateful I was able to be a mom. My children have taught me patience and selfless love. They have opened my eyes to the difficulties of others and allowed me to be so much more grateful for what I have. I"ve learned empathy, because I hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they do--I've started to be able to do that with others too. They keep me up at night but give me something to wake up for in the early morning. The run me down and build me up in the same instant and put a smile on my face when one minute before I wanted to yell. They increase my love for my husband as I watch him become a better man than I ever dreamed he would be. They've taught me innocene and quick forgiveness, and have helped me to understand just a little how God might feel about us.

I shudder to think at the person I would be without them. Some people say they lose themselves when they have children, but honestly, through them, I'm beginning to see who I was really meant to be.