Happy Mother's Day to my Mother, Mother in Law, Grandmother and all the women who have influenced me and my children. I see so much incredible goodness and hope in my children. I am eternally grateful to you, who have taught them the gospel, shared with them your testimonies of our Savior and directed their thoughts to the temple and eternal families.
I want my children to have joy in their lives and the greatest joy I know - is being a mother. I am not the kind of mom that weeps at the bus stop when my kindergartner climbs the steps of the bus for the first time. I don't treasure bouquets of dandelions or even pretend to. I rarely bake cookies and I have major life plans for when they all leave the LTC (Life Training Center). I can't bring myself to call our home a nest. It would imply that I feed them often while they just sit there and do nothing.
I used to feel inferior to the Hallmark Moms. And sometimes in conversations, I will not speak out about my different reactions or feeling about motherhood. It is easier to nod my head and smile.
I don't want to freeze time and keep my children where they are. This life is a place of learning. I want them to experience the joy of continuous learning. Because that is what I do as a mother to my four. I have been forced to stretch because of them. I have been challenged to remember who I am and what is important in this life numerous times because of them. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone because of them. I am ME because of them. I have had to rely on my Savior because of them. And without Him I am nothing.
I have learned that He doesn't care if I cry when they get on the bus - but he will comfort me when I water my pillow at night as I pray for their testimonies to be strengthened. He doesn't care if I bake cookies every day - but he wants me to make sure they are spiritually fed, and teach them where to feast and find living water. He doesn't care if I pretend to like dandelions - but he begs me to recognize the divine nature of my children and love them as he does.
Every time I talk to my Mom on the phone, she reminds me how lucky I am to spend every day with my children. I love her for that. Because she knows. She knows me well enough to know that I need reminding and she knows them well enough to speak truth.
Press play for video. It's really there
6 comments:
I didn't watch your movie all the way through because I didn't want to cry like a baby. Not a good song to listen to when your pregnant with your 4th girl. However, I did read your post and loved it. I think so many moms worry about out momming other moms, and then there is you who wins hands down, because you don't worry about it being a contest.
What a wonderful post. Thanks, Anne.
Amy,
No winning. Just learning as I go - just like everyone else. I am so excited for your daughter # 4! Lucky girl!
I think you just proved my point even more :)
Anyway...I thought you might get a laugh out of this...you left a comment on my blog asking When Tyler's Birthday is...well this baby is due in September...guess when our anniversary is. We've got to start going on dates other than special occasions! (On second thought we better wait a few years before we go on anymore dates!)
I feel the same way about my kids, I love them so much, but I do want them to grow, learn, change, and progress. Being a mom is the best thing in the whole wide world...the video was amazing too!
darn my good picture is at the end
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