On being Mom

My sister, Ashly, is the motivation for this post. Awhile ago she asked me to give her some advice on being a mom for her Young Women's lesson. I didn't really have much advice to give, but I liked that I had a reason to think about being a mom and how important it is to me. I'm learning every single day!  I don't think there is a "right" way to parent. I used to think there was. I think the most important thing a parent can do is love their child unconditionally and let them know they do. Children make mistakes, and so do parents. Learn from your mistakes and don't dwell on them. Don't compare your self to other moms (especially Pinterest moms!)  
Being an adult (whether you're a parent or not) is busy. You have work, house work, crafts, projects, work activities, school activities, church activities, family gatherings, the list is endless. It seems like when you cross one thing off the list you add 3 more. One thing I love about being a mom is being forced to slow down. I'm continually looking through the eyes of my toddler; I try to see what she sees. Olivia notices absolutely everything. Every sound, every speck, every person, every car driving by, literally EVERYTHING.  She relies on me to teach her what these things are. She looks at me and says "EHH?" And I can smile and say yeah! or MMM! or "it's okay." She trusts me. She trusts that I'm going to teach her and be there for her. While I am teaching her I am also learning. I'm learning to be patient, understanding, and loving.
I'm not perfect, but she makes me want to be. 

A very belated Mother's Day post

considering it is now past Father's Day I guess you can say this is a very belated Mother's Day post. I just couldn't miss out on a chance to brag about the most amazing woman in the world, MY MOM. I already have tears in my eyes and I haven't even started writing about her. She is perfect and amazing in every way I wish I could be. She has a tenderness and patience about her that pulls at my heart strings. At times I feel so overwhelming grateful for her that I just cry on the way home from her house (this often happens when I have a migraine and she voluntarily and happily watches Olivia for me, bathes her, cooks us dinner, and sends leftovers home for Conrad. Which happens way more than you would believe. She is an angel!) I have never felt like a burden to her. I've never felt like she was too busy to visit with me or play with Olivia. Olivia absolutely adores her! When I come to pick her up after work she gets mad at me! Can you believe that?! I come home excited to see her and she wants nothing to do with me. She doesn't want to go home. She doesn't even want to look at me. She just wants Grandma. I don't blame her. and I like staying there until it's almost dark and prying her tiny tired hands away from grandma. They have such a special bond and I hope Olivia learns as much as possible from her.

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A few weeks before Mother's Day Olivia was up in the middle of the night, I was tired, and had work in the morning. I grudgingly got out of bed, picked her up, and sat in the recliner in the living room. I suddenly had a flash back to one of my first memories of my mom. She was hold me in a chair in the middle of the night. I don't remember what I was sick with or even any of the pain I felt that night. I only remember my mom patiently and so lovingly holding me in her arms. Tears streamed down my face as I remembered that moment and gave me the patience I needed to take care of Olivia that night (and the rest of the week... stupid ear infections!) My mom teaches me so much through her caring actions. It feels so good to know that  my kids will love me like that! and to know how much she truly loves and cares for me they way I do for Olivia. Sometimes people say "wow 6 kids? really... how did your mom do it?!" but it's easy to see that she was meant to be a mother. She is patient, kind, genuine, gentle, caring, and always puts others before herself. I am so lucky that she is my mom and the grandmother to my children.

Gorgeous Mother's Day flowers from my cute husband! 

Quote I framed and gave to my mom, mother-in-law and Conrad's grandma.

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

Change...

[since December 31, 2011]

I take too many pictures

I think in 3 hour increments (feeding times)

I call Conrad "dad"

My house is rarely clean

Baby gadgets, clothes, and accessories top my list of wants

I say "boo!" a lot

I carry a diaper bag instead of a purse

I narrate all of Olivia's thoughts

I have a Costco membership

I chopped my hair off

Need caffeine

Multitasker/ can do almost everything one handed

I appreciate my parents more than I ever have

Everything has changed. It's the best kind of change and I wouldn't trade it for anything.