Mother's Day

I can't believe this is my 14th Mother's Day as a mother. Time has really flown since I celebrated my first Mother's Day in 1996 when Courtney was only nine months old. Growing up I dreamed of becoming a mother. I truly thought there was no better job in the world. I couldn't wait to be a Mommy to my own little ones. Well, now I can honestly say motherhood is much more challenging than I ever dreamed it would be. I am always feeling inadequate and unsure of where I should devote my time and energy. I have truly been humbled as a mother and I openly admit to my children that I am less than perfect. Thank goodness children are so loving and easy to forgive! I would like to share a quote from Sister Hinckley that reminds me to cherish my years of motherhood.

"These are golden years for you. These are years when you will probably do the most important work of your lives. Don’t wish away your years of caring for small children. Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans. This is a time of great opportunity for you to build the kingdom. When you teach children to love their Heavenly Father, you have done one of the greatest things you will ever do."

I thought I would begin this post with this precious photo that was taken this Mother's Day - May 9, 2010. I like this photo because I am surrounded by my five little sweethearts. This picture makes me feel so loved and full of joy.

Lloyd made sure my Mother's Day had a perfect start by getting me my favorite treat - a huge cinnamon roll from Fuddruckers! I loved every bite of it!

Then we went to church for a beautiful sacrament meeting and my children gave me cards with these adorable photos! This picture wasn't taken on Mother's Day - it was taken a few weeks before. I love it because it reminds me that we need to enjoy each other and play together. I am glad my kids can have fun together!

In just a few, short years these little children will be grown and gone. I am trying to hold fast to these golden years and cherish everything - the fun, the chaos, the craziness, the challenges, and the memories.

I'd like to end this post with an inspirational quote from Jeffrey R. Holland. I am so grateful the Lord is there for me as I embrace this journey called motherhood.

"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.” 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.” And it will make your children whole as well. "