*6*

(Written as I listen to Eli cry it out and Mia watches "Dora" downstairs.)

I'll try not to be too repetitive of last year's Mother's day post.  Wondering about the post title?  This will be my 6th Mother's day.  I always have to gear myself up for Mother's Day... and not in the way you'd think.  I have to get all my ideals and throw them out the window.  The first few years I made this mistake... Mother's Day would come and I was like, "Whoo hoo!  It's Mother's Day!  It's my day to shine!"  I get to sleep in, have breakfast in bed, shower (doesn't seem like a luxury, but to mom's it is), wear a beautiful outfit, sit quietly through the church service, go home and take a nap, wake up to a home cooked dinner, lie out on the back porch while the dishes are being done and wear my crown all day... and then... wake up.  And remember.  That...

 I am a Mother. 

 And my corsage isn't made of flowers.  It's made of boogers.  And my necklace isn't made of jewels... it's made of children's arms.  And my glory isn't made from rest... it's made from hard work.

 Every day is Mother's Day.  This one just happens to be called Mother's Day.  It's not any different than any other day except for a few darling presents from the kids and a wonderful husband who tries his darndest to make it a little easier.  

 

The challenge that Moms face is that our job is always with us.  There is no "going home from work".  We are home.  Home is our work.  Our children are our work.  They are here, day and night and on weekends... and, on Mother's Day.  They follow us where ever we go.  

A mom's job is tough because we have to be the boss, the mentor, the friend, the teacher, the nutritionist, the doctor, the housekeeper, the driver, the accountant, the shopper... we have so many hats to wear that we look like a walking hat stand. There is so much juggling involved that I often find myself forgetting about the relationships and worrying about the all of the other duties that I need to get done.  To pull things back in perspective, I often think about the story of Mary and Martha and how Martha was busy cooking and scrubbing and getting the house ready and Mary sat and listened to Christ.  Christ rebuked Martha for it.  I love what he says to her, "Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needful.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." Sometimes I have to remind myself to be Mary.  What's more important right now- getting the laundry folded, or spending time reading with the kids?   So what if the house isn't spotless.  What happens then?  I have to remember to stop and really listen when one of my kids is telling me about their day.  I have to remember to stop and tickle someone's back while we have a quiet moment together.  I have to pretend to be interested while I play Barbies with Mia for 20 minutes.  I have to plan to read scriptures with these little people that are so interested in the Word of God.  These are the things that I am going to remember later.  These are the things that the kids will remember.  I can't remember how messy or clean our house was growing up.  I do remember learning to help clean the house.  I remember learning responsibilities and learning to feel proud when I did a good job on something.  My most memorable times were always moments when relationships were being built and I was learning and growing.  Motherhood is such a great calling- a demanding calling.  I am grateful every day that I chose to become a mother.  

So to all the other mother's out there... wear those boogers with pride.  There isn't a finer corsage to be found in all the world.