Thanks, Mom.

My mom is amazing. She's absolutely beautiful, with clear blue eyes and a graceful way about her. She's talented, artistically, musically and in the kitchen. She is beyond caring, a true example of a woman after God's own heart. Everyone who meets her is changed for the better. She's an angel, for real.


Not to say we didn't butt heads, of course we did. I fought with her over stupid things, meaningless things, ridiculous things. But I never once doubted that we would get over the fight and move on. Our good days have far outweighed the bad.

My mom stood by me through a terrible relationship in high school. She never told me what to do, but gently guided me towards good decisions. She allowed me to have freedom, yet still kept a tight reign on me. She accepted that I am terrible at math and celebrated my accomplishments in other areas instead. She insisted on my best work at all times but never made me feel bad when I didn't achieve "perfection."

My mom has walked with me, by my side not as my leader, through so much in the last ten years. Awful boyfriends, opening a business, falling in love, getting engaged and married, two difficult pregnancies, first time mom insecurities, a second baby with a host of digestive issues, post partum depression and so many other things. Never once has she "instructed me" to do what SHE wants, but she is always willing to give advice, offer support and help me figure out what's best for me, whether it's what she wants or not.

My mom rocks.

Today is Mother's Day, of course. I know lots of people take this day as a day for mom's to have a "day off." Good for you! I did sleep in this morning, skipping out on the breakfast shift for the kids. But I don't want to spend the day doing my own thing. I want to be with the people whom made me a mom! I want to soak up a day with Rory, Trace and Dave where I set the agenda and we can just be a family. Life is flying by, I swear I blink and another month passes. I need each moment with my family because before long, I'll be reading Rory's blog about me.

And I'm just not ready for that.

Soak it in, friends. Soak in your mom, your kids, your boyfriend, your dog. Take a minute, take a deep breath and remember that this is a special moment in time that you will never get back.

And if it's your first Mother's Day, you are on an amazing journey. You will be challenged, stretched, educated, stressed, scared and amazed every day. But one day, a few months from now, it will all click in to place and you'll realize.

Baby, you were born to do this.