Saturday, May 10, 2008

Because I am a Mother


(This girl really keeps me running--she just doesn't stop!)

Tomorrow is Mother's Day--I can't tell you how many times today I thought, "You know, it's really great that there is a holiday just for MOMS, because today I feel the need to be appreciated and thanked for what I do." Of course my little people didn't exactly say, "Gosh mom, thanks so much for doing ____, I really appreciated it." But in their own little ways today they made me grateful to be their mother and appreciative of the opportunity that is mine to be here on earth with them.


(my son who doesn't really like to be DIRTY--clearly not a problem here)

If you know me well you know that this mothering gig has been much more of a challenge than I had anticipated. When pregnant with child #1 I remember thinking, "I am ready. As the oldest of seven children I can do ANYTHING. Making dinner with a child on my hip while some are fighting and the others are playing with grated cheese like it's confetti--no problem! I am going to do fine at this mothering thing." Uh, well, no.


(I don't think she was sticking this out at me . . .)

I have come to realize that through no other experience would I more fully understand my Heavenly Father's love for me. I am sure that He is flustered with His children and wonders why they don't obey or just follow simple directions, but I KNOW that He, at the end of the day, possesses that unconditional love that only a parent can have for His child.

I watch lovely people all around me who desperately want to bring children into the world. I sometimes wonder how come I have them when I feel like such an awful parent and I know darn well that they would be AMAZING! Maybe it's partly because they already love unconditionally and don't need to learn how . . .

With all this said, I am grateful for my role. The one which has tested me more than any other. The role which causes me to plead for more assistance and aid from the best parent I know--my Heavenly Father. I don't need my kids to say, "thank you," or "I love you," as much as I need them to know that I am thankful to have them and I love them more than they will EVER know!


You two are GREAT little people and I LOVE you!

And, just in case anyone out there needs this--it is my favorite quote about mothering and from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk "Because She Is a Mother":
Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope." (2 Nephi 31:20) You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even--no, especially--when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master's garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."(Matthew 9:22) And it will make your children whole as well.
p.s. to my man, thank you for being ever supportive and encouraging. We are SO in this together!

15 comments:

Belkycita said...

I find myself feeling the same way. Wow are we blessed with such little angels?
Even when they have their days, they can always get a smile out of my face.
Happy mothers day, you are great one! I've seen you.

Jenni said...

Beautifully said, and just so you know...I feel the same way. With this third one, I have said to myself a million times..."what have I done?" Good thing that we are counseled to live for the moments and do our best the rest of the time. I love what someone said in church today, "sometimes the best we can do is nothing." Good thing we know that there is someone who will always make up the difference after all we can do. Love you, you are an AWESOME mom!!!

Jana said...

You said that so well. Thanks for your insight. I love that quote. I need to post that all over my house. Your kids are so cute!

s g said...

You are a fabulous mother...and a great example for me..you always have been. I love these shots from Cannon beach...beautiful. That was a landmark talk for me from Elder Holland, even though I didn't have kids at the time...it is my favorite on mothers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

Amy said...

I am going to miss you Andrea. Maybe that's funny to say since I never see you and I can check your blog just as easily when you live a few states away as when you live a mile or two away... Anyway, thanks for this post. I'm going to take a look at that article.

Abbey said...

Thank you for that beautiful post, Andrea. I have always been impressed with the love that you have for others, most importanly your family. Thank you for that example; I think of your example so often as I trek through my own path of motherhood. You are awesome!

Ashley K. said...

Wow... you have always been so good with putting words on paper. BTW, you are your harshest critic. I learn so much from you all the time and want to be a better Mother. You are amazing.

Ash

cherlyn and family said...

Happy Mom's Day to you and great photos of your kids.

Brooke said...

That quote sounds familiar :) - thanks for re-sharing it! I hadn't read the whole thing for awhile. I love all these beautiful pictures and of course your amazing words.

Emily said...

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; sometimes its nice to hear that you're not the only one who often feels inadequate or undeserving of these little people we have charge over. And yes, I do hair. I would be happy to answer any questions or whatever.

Katie said...

I love that quote too...especially the part about Christ making our children whole. Goodness know they're going to have some missing pieces when I'm done with them! I too admire you so much as a mom, Andrea. I love your energy and and the way you have of looking like it's all together, even when, I'm sure, it's really not. I'm glad there are mom's like you in the world to balance out the flaky, scatterbrained ones like me:).

Cailean said...

This was such a beautiful post! It's obvious how much your kids just love you and not just as a mommy but as a fun person they get to grow up with. You definitely exemplify the kind of mom we all want to be - someone who strives for the best but enjoys the "getting there" too.

LizzyP said...

I just love how your articulate your thoughts and feelings. It's a good thing that you're willing to share them so that I can say "that's exactly how I feel and I didn't know how to say it." What a great gift. Happy belated Mom's Day, Friend.

Drostan and Jennifer said...

I just LOVE those pictures. They just capture her personality so well! How fun.

sarah sample said...

love your thoughts andrea...glad I found your blog again...and I am working on that song for your little ones, this just happens to be a distracting time. loves.
sarah sample mcdonald