I LOVE being a MOM!

We had an unexpected trip to Tennessee this weekend and I was thankful to get to have a surprise time with my mom for Mother's Day. I love anytime I get with her and especially now seeing her with Griffin, its a true joy of mine.

On this Mother's Day, I cant help but just say I LOVE BEING A MOM! This has no doubt been the best year of my life. Griffin is truly a blessing to me. I had always dreamed of being a mom ever since I can remember but there is no way I could have ever imagined it to be this wonderful. In the same way it is also harder than I could have imagined. The sleepless nights, stinky diapers, total change of YOUR schedule and learning how selfish you really are..... all for the greater joy that just a simple smile that he gives me.

Another major thing I realize this year on Mother's Day is how much my mom has done for me. I now understand her so much better ha! For all the reasons mentioned above, knowing that she has loved me unconditionally for 27 years now AND that she was a single mom for many of those years to 3 of us... all just makes me say WOW! She is an incredible mother and I am forever grateful for her.

Lastly, and most importantly, looking back on this first year of being a parent and knowing how much I love my son makes me in awe at how much my Heavenly Father loves me. If I can love Griffin this much just after one year, and He has chosen to give me this perfect gift as a blessing in this life, AND he invented love and has loved me since the world began... Man that is crazy!! I truly love being a mom, no doubt, but in all honesty there are many times when I say, "Lord, I'm not so sure I can do this." It has only been a year and He has taught me so much through it. I have so much more to learn about being a mom, and still even more to realize the depth of God's love for me.

I found this on my friend's blog and wanted to share it because it reminds me how thankful I am to be a mom:

"The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made. In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily."
Written by Ariel Allison Lawhon - Proverbs 31 Ministries

Happy Mother's Day to all of you other moms out there. Those that have loved me as their own daughter and those that I dont even know. AND especially to you Momma- I love you! Have a WONDERFUL day celebrating the joy of motherhood!