Motherhood

While scrolling on Pinterest the other day I found a pin that said to list the things you enjoy most about motherhood. I stewed about it for a while and then put it to the back burner(isn't that where most Pinterest ideas go?) Any who, I thought this would be a great one to put on here. So, here goes.

Things I enjoy about Motherhood:

- I love tucking my children into bed and hearing about their day. (I can do better at this.)
- I enjoy reading books with them cuddled up to my side or on my lap.(What a warm fuzzy!)
- When My children run up to me after school to show me what they accomplished in art or on a spelling test.
- It can be annoying at times, but I love when my little guy is trying to get my attention and grabs my chin to help me focus.
- I love hearing my children laugh. (Seriously, it is therapeutic.)
- When a teacher tells me they think my kid is pretty great!(because sometimes you wonder how their quirks are going to rub others.)
- I love watching my children play together and laugh together(all eight of them).
- I love going to choir concerts and watching them beam, cause they know they did great!
- I love rocking the little ones to sleep and singing to them. I realize it wont last forever.
- Listening to them express themselves trying to be big like their bigger siblings.
- Holding them on my lap when we are watching a movie.
- Watching our teenager get excited about funny things he witnessed at school.
- I love watching my children in programs.
- It is fun to watch them interact with their peers.
- I love watching my daughters eyes sparkle as she explains how she did her last art project.
- I love being able to be there when they fall and skin their knee and need a kiss or hug.
- I love watching them become independent little souls(though lets be honest, this tugs at those heart strings as it happens.)
- The memory of the first time each of the children has said they loved me.(Really, who doesn't like knowing they are loved and appreciated.)
- The time I asked my little lady if she knew I loved her and she replied;"How could I not, you tell me EVERY single day."
- The time I asked my littlest man if he knew I loved him and he said "yes" and gave me a huge hug.
- The day our second young man returned home from his mission and hugged me like he meant it.
- Our first sons wedding day and he asked me to dance the Mother Son dance.
- That Christmas when our oldest daughter made me a beautiful quilt for my youngest baby to be.(After having a horrible summer together.)
- The week our second daughter was struggling due to a guy and called or texted me every day.
- How about the time my little man asked if he could put his idiots in another bag, only to find out he was referring to a box of Nerds.
- Remember this Christmas when everyone was content and happy to be together. Yeah, it was great!
- The letter I received a letter from Boy #2 telling me that I am one of the best things that has happened to him and he will thank Heavenly Father...forever.
- Watching the older children grow and be close to one another.
- Holding my youngest's hand when going places. I cherish those moments.
- When one of the little boys tells me a knock-knock joke they have made up and watching them laugh their heads off at their own cleverness.
- You know that time when the child behaves a little like a dork and you realize you did the same thing at their age...and you are glad the apple didn't completely leave the orchard? Good times!
- When your teenager thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread, because he drove a vehicle his brothers weren't given a chance to drive...cause he is the best thing...*grin*
- Watching your older children beam because they nailed getting the perfect gift(s).
- Watching the younger children choose "the perfect gifts."
- When your older children act like those "perfect gifts" were perfect.(And knowing they appreciate the thought behind them.)
- The dreaded day when my youngest daughter learned how to make sugar cookies...by herself.

There are so many reasons I enjoy being a mother and step-mother. The ride has not always been blissful and perfect as I imagined that it would be. However I will tell you I have loved every bit of it. Including the painful parts. It has helped me become who I am. It will mold me into the cherished woman God wants me to become, and along the way I have a family to enjoy the ride with.

Perspective

Tonight we went over to see some friends who are moving. there was a little party, celebrating the friendships that have been made the past year. We had a pot-luck and enjoyed chatting about this and that, watching our children all play well. We are blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful church family like we are. Towards the end of the evening we had a pinata for the birthday of one of the children leaving as their birthday is next week. The kids were all excited about the loot they landed!

Upon arriving home our five year old decided he needed to organize his candy into different categories. While my husband and I were visiting the boy hollers to me:

"Mom, can I pour all of my idiots in another bag?"

Thinking maybe I had miss understood what he was saying I asked "What?"

Again he replies:"Can I pour all of my idiots in another bag?"

Wanting to understand what he is referring to I asked him to show me what he was talking about. He held up a box  of "Nerds" and asked if he could pour them into their own bag.

Understanding what he was saying put a whole new perspective on how he interprets things I say. Hmm...glad I have a child who so easily puts things into another perspective for me.

Being a Mom

My youngest about melted my heart today. He was tired and I was laying down with him till he fell asleep. As he was falling asleep he told me: "Mom, I love you. I keep you always."

I hope as he grows he continues to feel that way. I love my children. If I could keep them small forever I would. But in thinking that way I am being selfish. I love watching them grow and experience life. Their older siblings are all making decisions that bring happiness. I hope the younger ones will follow in their older siblings footsteps.

While jogging this morning I read an article The Moral Force Of Women on motherhood, and our roles as women. It touched my heart. I have a great responsibility to my children. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with them. At times I feel overwhelmed. Society  tends to make one feel that with out a career one isn't accomplishing anything. My career is being a mother. There are times I fall short of my expectations. There are even times I wonder if I am making a difference. The article above reminded me I am doing great things I am shaping the future for my children.

When I returned home a friend of mine had posted this short article: When satan steals your Motherhood? I loved this as well. It seems everyone has a better way of doing things. What our children need most though are us. We are the ones they will remember. We give them confidence in who they are. We build them up or tear them down. I enjoy being able to be there to create memories with my children. I just need to do it.

There is no shame in staying at home and raising my children in an environment where they know they are loved with out condition. At home I know they are being raised with my standards and values. I don't have to worry about so many things. Being able to stay home with them is a great blessing.