In honour of Mother's Day!!

I thought I would post a little something about mother's....what I've learned from mine, the joys and struggles of being a mom. I started my journey as a mother a little earlier than planned which made me pretty unsure if I was going to be able to handle all the pressures, ups and downs of being a mother. Luckily I had such a great support team that made my entry into mother-hood a very easy transition.

I don't think I would be half the mother I am today without all the help, support and love from my mom. She was so supportive when she found out she was going to be a grandma at "40-frickin-1" even though I was 18 and not married. Our relationship as mother and daughter strengthened to a closeness that I never thought possible. Chris and I were fortunate enough to have her in the delivery room with us when I had Alyssa and that we were able to share that experience together. No one made it to the delivery when I had Brooklyn!! I am so privileged to be able to have my daughters so close to my mom. It's awesome to see the relationship between grandma and grand daughters blossom. Both my girls love their grandma, at times, I think more than me!! My mom has taught me a few things. Mostly she laughs when I complain about something one of the girls has done that drives me nuts and she reminds me that pay back's a you-know-what!!!! One thing she's taught me is to pick my battles with them. What is really worth the fight.....is it really ok that Brooklyn wears something that doesn't match, can Alyssa do her own hair for school?? Silly things that in the scheme of things, is it really worth it. Also she's taught me how to be a Godly woman, mother and wife. The importance of teaching my girls about God and His love for us. I think that without all the love and support from my mom, I would not be the mom that I am today!! So thanks mom, for all you do, I love you :o)

Some of the things I love about being a mom....hmmmm...where to begin!! I love that I am the first one they come to when they're hurt, sad, happy, excited, proud, scared and lonely. I love that I'm such a huge part in creating the person they'll become. Which can be a scary thought!! I love that I'm able to stay home with them full time. God had blessed us so that Chris can be the sole financial provider and I can be home when Alyssa goes to school and comes home and I can go for walks with Brooklyn in the morning. I find that a huge blessing. I love that neither one of them can go to bed without a good night kiss from me. I love that we've recently started praying together at night. It's so cute listening to Brooklyn pray, "Dear Jesus, fan-tu for dis day. Fan-tu for me to hab a dood sleep. Fan-tu to me to be dood dirl and be a dood sister. Fan-tu for my mom, dad and Aly. I lub you Jesus, Amen!" It makes me so happy that at 6, Alyssa has asked Jesus into her heart and Brooklyn at 3, knows how to pray and knows how Jesus wants us to be. That means not hitting our sister or spitting!! I could go on for pages on how much I love being a mom. I feel so blessed that God has chosen two beautiful girls for me to love and to share all the things that life has to offer.

I get scared sometimes of what could be in the future. Will something happen to them that they would leave my life? Will they be as close to me as I am to my mom? Did I teach them enough so they can make the right decision when the tough questions and decisions face them? These are things that I have no control over and all I can do now is love them and teach them all I can to be strong, loving, caring, kind, beautiful Christian women.

So that's my spiel about mothers. To all of you out there, new mothers, experienced mothers, single mothers, mothers to be, cheers to you! We have the hardest, but most rewarding job in the world. Have a great day with your children on Sunday and take a moment to look at your little blessings and thank God for giving them to you to love. Happy Mothers Day :o)