Mother's Day

When I opened a card from my mother-in-law  Sunday morning I couldn't help but laugh and feel a little guilty.

It read:  "Here's something you can wear on Mother's Day....."
>>> next to that message was a pin that read the words, "IT'S NOT MY FREAKING PROBLEM!"

Guilty, because when I'm running on my last tank of patience, somedays I find myself wanting to shout this exact phrase, "IT'S NOT MY FREAKING PROBLEM!"

- Thank you, Ket, for the laugh. :)

Mother's Day has gotta be on my top 3 favorite holidays- if not 3, especially top 5.  This development is new this year.  Why??  Because 1) it is the ultimate reason to give up all motherly duties for one whole day, and not feel guilty about it- AT ALL, 2) it's always on a Sunday which means everyone is home, including my husband, 3) no matter how crazy the kids are, for some reason being a mother is the best job in the whole wide world. Even if the day is enveloped in whining and tears, the day is a constant reminder that I chose to obtain this job of "mommy"- and (at least for those whole, consecutive 24 hours) I feel so lucky! :)

My most adamant request on Mother's Day is to get a picture taken of my girls and I.  It usually ends up getting taken 2 minutes before we have to jump into to the car for church, so it's never a calm tender moment- especially for me. It's usually me forcibly asking the girls to "just look at daddy, for ONE picture" while I'm trying to maintain a forced smile.  The girls are usually doing everything BUT looking at daddy...but if there's one that is even SEMI- UNawkward we call it good and leave!

Another reason Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays, is because I have a greater love and appreciation for my mom now that I have bore my own children.  So many times I've thought,

 "WOW, my mom made this look incredibly easy!"  I often wish I could go back in time and be a fly on a wall in our home so I could observe as she raised us.  I am the 2nd oldest so I watched my mom raise my younger siblings, but I didn't internalize it as much as I would now.......................where's a flux capacitor and a time traveling delorean when I need one!! :)

I've had so many great mothers in my life who I also recognize on this day: grandmothers, aunts,  church leaders, school teachers, friends, ward members, etc.  I have always been one to watch and observe; consequently, I find myself taking note of all the impressive qualities I see in people- especially mothers.  I often play this game in my head: "I want her...."---then I list a quality I admire in that person.

In the rest of this post I am going to record a little of this 'game playing.'  These are just several people/qualities that have been on my mind as of late:

***So it's written, the following people/qualities weren't frivolously written about- these people/qualities have truly impressed and inspired me to be a better person.*** 

"I want..."
...my mom's adaptability.  My mother makes EVERYTHING work out.  If she has to drive 40 miles to work at the family popcorn factory all day, make dinner for a family that night, butcher a cow right after her child's basketball game, she will still squeeze in time to tend your child.  She is Superwoman! I may have exaggerated a tad but it's not far from the truth!  Everything she does is for everyone else and things are never really convenient, but she adapts and gets everything done. "Self-less" is her middle name.

...my mother in law's sincerity.  Her concern for her family is pure.  She shows love with phone calls, emails, text messages, gifts, etc. She makes sure to deliver her sincere message of love to each of her children, their spouses, and her grandkids. 

...my Grandma K's self-less charity.  Her example has illustrated the definition of 'charity' to me.  She welcomes everyone and anyone with open arms without any passed judgement. 

...my Grandma S's thoughtfulness. She informs me on the hometown news & always keeping us in mind when thinking of what she can send to us to help us out in anyway.

...my friend Erin's confidence in her individuality.  I've always been impressed with this individuals' ability to stay true to herself. If she thinks its cool, well darn it, then it's way cool! I have always been weak in this area and am easily persuaded by outside forces, so I admire people with this outstanding quality such as hers!  This is a quality I desire my children to grow up obtaining-I think it can make all the difference in a person's life!  I've told Erin before that I think she is "so cool-" and I sounded pathetic and the message so empty but it's the simplest, best way to describe her..."COOL."---So, in short, I want to be cool. ;)

... my Aunt Lindsay's knowledge. She doesn't just study (spiritual or temporal matters), she searches, ponders, and prays about it. She is a smartie pants for good reason- she puts in the work and I wish I had that stamina!

...my friend Alyssa's talent of being a great friend. Alyssa is the first one to randomly text to watch my kids, or to invite us over, or compliment, or remember birthdays, etc. It's that simple. I want to be more conscientious of my friends.

 ...Susan's optimistic aura.  This particular woman is in my current ward. She is a mother to 5-6 kids, is so cute, fit, and HAPPY!  You'd never think she's ever had a bad day in her life.  I know as a mother though that isn't possible, even for her, so I am SO amazed at the light she radiates and the happiness and smiles she pulls out of people.  I wish I had that kind of power!

...my cousin Destry's ability to write in an eloquent way.  Destry is a couple years older than me so growing up I always admired her for a lot of reasons, but now I really enjoy reading her blog.  The way she can deliver a feeling, a thought, or an experience is crisp, to the point, and filled with enjoyable detail.

...Elaine's ability to invite the spirit wherever she is.  As I made my way through my teenaged years, Elaine was my Young Women's President (in my home ward/church) .  I specifically remember one instance when she gave me a ride home one day from a church activity and in their car played soothing, church music.  I don't know what song or who was singing, but I distinctively remember feeling a special feeling come over me.  I remember thinking, "wow, this is pleasant" and I knew it was the Holy Ghost.  This wasn't the only time I felt this way around Elaine.  She was so soft-spoken, kind, and tender, and obviously this has made an everlasting impression on me and my life.  Maybe it was a huge shift from the daily life: surrounded by less than wholesome influences from school or media to pure, love and spiritual presence. So now looking back, I hope to achieve that same feeling in my home, car, or present vicinity so that my children can feel that same shift.

...my friend Monica's talent of making friends.  She started off as my church visiting teacher (someone who comes over monthly to deliver a special message and visit), but she did more than just that, she became my friend.  Her texts, notes, emails, and sincere interest in me is inspiring to me. 

...my friend Anne's 'get it done' attitude.  I have recently been creating my children's scrapbooks for their first year of life and I've thought of Anne, who had her TWINS's books done a little after they were 1.  She takes her motherly duties seriously, in regards to keeping details, journals, and family history up to date.  My attitude is usually the procrastination type so I admire this about her.


WHEW....ok, so I rambled a little more than I was anticipating. I'm glad I did though, because the mothers/women in my life are so special to me and they really do influence me to be a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, sister, and even acquaintance. Now I can look back, read this, and evalute my life to see if I have obtained, or better yet, have taught my children the importance of these many attributes....wish me luck! ;)

Happy Mother's Day to all the many women (not exclusive to mothers)who have influenced me and are continuing to influence the person I am becoming today!  You are so important to a life!