Motherhood

This is the first year I officially get to celebrate Mother's day. I've celebrated for years now. Sister Sherri Dew gave a talk in 2001 titles "Are we not all mothers" and since then I've taken the role of motherhood seriously. I have 11 nieces and nephews and I can truly say I have felt like s mother to them all. I know they all have awesome mommy's but their mommies were always kind enough to share their children with me. I told Brent several times during my pregnancy that I couldn't imagine loving our baby any more than I do my nieces and nephews. Even after he wad born I talked to Brent about it. This shows how serious I was about motherhood before Elijah.
But this year not only did I have those 11 nieces and nephews, the youth I've taught, the primary kids that I nurtured but I had Elijah. A baby that I carried for 9 full months. A child that I don't give back at the end of the day. I'm completely overwhelmed at the love I feel for this boy. I love being his mommy so much. I love him to the moon and back times infinity. Motherhood is the hardest most rewarding job I've ever had.
I'm lucky that I've had so many great women in my life that have been true examples of mothers. There are my friend's moms, Carrie Knox and Stephanie Freeman who I love dearly and learned so much from. Church leaders Vicci Mendez and Gina Waddoups. There are my actual friends, Lindsay, Candice, Laura, Arianne, and Brenna that have helped me become better. Then there are my sisters and sister in laws who have all set such great examples to me. I'm still getting to know Brent's sisters but I know they have so much to teach me and my children. His sister Julie, is an audiologist. She impresses me so much. She is smart, talented and from what I can tell genuinely happy. A great example for my kids, and me. I could say something about all of my sisters and sister in laws; truly they have been great examples.
Of course I can't talk about motherhood without saying what an awesome mother Brent's mom is. She raised a son that is patient, and heaven knows he needs patience married to me. She taught him how to love, kindness and so many other things. She is an awesome example of how I should be as a mother. I'm happy to have her as another mother I'm my life.
And of course my own mother. The woman who carried me in her, birthed me and raised me to be the woman I am today. We don't always see eye to eye but she has taught me so many lessons. She is compassionate, caring and loving. Thank you to all the women in my life.
And now thank you to Brent. Who married me, made me a mother and supports me every day. I love being a mom. I love snuggling my boy, talking to him, feeding him. I love that we are an eternal family! Here is to celebrating many more Mother's days, with many more kids. I hope that I'm not only a mother to my children but to so many more. I've been blessed!