A Day for Mom

For all the countless tears and boo-boos kissed.

For all the late-(all)-nighters spent rocking, cuddling, feeding, pleading, comforting.

For all the messes cleaned... just to be made once more before you're even completely finished tidying up.

For all the picked-at, played-with, and sometimes plain refused meals prepared with love.

For all the public tantrums and well-meaning (turned utter failure) planned family outings.

For all the bath time rivers and teeth-brushing fights.

For all the silly made-up songs and dances just to entertain.

For all the sticky snack containers and smelly old milk cups found beneath couches and in the back of minivans.

For all.the.butts.wiped.



For the hour-long chats.

For the pep talks and confidence boosters.

For that feeling of looking out and seeing your face in the stands/bleachers/audience.

For the endless taxi-service.

For the undying support and unfailing belief that this child will succeed.

For your kind wisdom shared.




For all the amazing, selfless, dedicated, fierce, patient, tired, and unconditionally loving mothers in this world.

This is for you.

A Day for Moms.

And on this roller coaster that is parenthood, you are all my allies. My role models.

Because regardless of how things may differ from family to family, one thing never does. The indescribable love of a mother, that's basically impossible to explain. And impossible to really understand.. until that second someone hands you your own baby.  And all of a sudden it clicks.

And today is your day. To thank your own incredible mom. And to absolutely celebrate all you are.

Because Moms, you are it. You are the glue that holds this world together. One family at a time.

You are the three-letter word for Love.

And you all deserve to be celebrated.

Happy Mother's Day♥♥

 My beautiful Mom

(Who I've selfishly missed like a whiny little girl all day today. You better enjoy her company down there in Mississippi, little sister! ;) )

 

 The day I became a mom - Holden Tyler

 And then both arms were full - Bridger Dean

 And soon I needed an extra set to help hold everyone ;) - Graham Arnold

 My boys. Then....

  

... And now. 

 My unbelievably handsome Mother's Day dinner dates :)

Who don't always feel like being photographed...

"Is anyone even looking?" Haha!

See where they get their good looks? ;)

Goofy

My silly baby. Who is trying to grow up too fast.

My all boy's boy. Who will put down his worms just to give me a hug.

 My sweetheart. Who made me a mommy. And only wants to make me happy.

 And he's pretty good at it♥

                     

Just stop. And be loved.

 
 (I admit, that title's really for me.. but if it applies to you, too. Then please, by all means. JUST STOP. AND BE LOVED.)

It's the day before Mother's Day. And we're all focused on our moms and - as moms - also on ourselves and how blessed we are, and how beautiful our children are, etc etc etc. 

But if you're anything like me, sometimes being "forced" to feel something at a specific time/day, doesn't always work.

So, I have something I want to share with you. My fellow parents. For today and for always...

 ♥   ♥   ♥

As mothers (and fathers) we've all heard that we need to cherish these moments, and it will all be over before we know it, and we're going to miss all of this one day... like a million times in a million ways, right?

And every time this sentiment is brought up, honestly, it does effect me... but frankly, many times - amidst the screaming, whining, fighting, ungratefulness, and *disaster* that is my house - I find it nearly impossible to imagine missing parts of this. And sometimes it just really doesn't "sink in" for me.


Well, the other day I read this quote:

"You will never be this loved again. So on those days when you are feeling stressed out, touched out, and depleted, just remember that you will never be this loved again. One day you will long for their affection. So choose a soft voice, choose gentle hands, choose love."

 Boom. Done. Tears streaming down my face.

Because in all the ways I've thought about it, never being "loved this much" again had never crossed my mind.

Because they do. They don't just *need* me. They LOVE me. And they don't care what an absolute MESS I am.

They love me still.

And THAT? Well that's almost too much to take in. At least for me. And I've been feeling overwhelmingly blessed and just plain lucky these past few days.

Because I don't deserve any of it.

And they still just keep giving it to me. All of it. Unconditionally.

And that's the best Mother's Day present I think I could ever even imagine. I just needed to think about it a little different.

And if you're ever feeling overwhelmed or stressed out with this whole parenting thing... well, it's my hope that you will also be able to think back to this quote. Dig a little deeper to find just one more ounce of patience (we're bottomless pits, right?). And remember.

Just stop. And be loved.

Everything else can wait.

 

 This is literally called "Love Time" around here. 

I sit down, announce that I need some love, and they flock to me.

And today, Jared took pictures for me.

  I have absolutely no idea what I did in this life to get so lucky.

 ♥  ♥  ♥

Batter Up!

And we have a ball player!!

Today was Holden's first Tee-Ball game. And he did good! Grandma and Grandpa came to watch. And Kels and Brianne even stopped by! So he had quite the cheering section, lucky little boy :)

His first time up to bat, he was even able to get a hit without the tee, so I think we were all pretty proud of him for that.

Here were a couple pictures from his first big game!

 

 He asked if he could pose like this. Goof.

 ♥

 He's up!

 Contact!

 Waiting to run

 Standing on home plate... waiting to be told he could go back and sit down, I think. Ha.

 Getting some good advice

 Good game. Good game. Good game... :)

  

 Here he comes!

 

Snack Time for the little ball player :)