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.