Being the Mom

Sometimes I feel so blessed to be the Mom and sometimes...well, let's just say sometimes I REALLY need a break!! I have been a mom for 12 years now and on the whole, I LOVE it! It is THE most thankless yet rewarding job I have ever experienced. But there are days (like yesterday) that I just wish I could curl up in a ball and not deal with anything for a few hours. Kids can be SOOOOOOO demanding and when they need something, the first thing out of their mouth is, "MOM!" Can I just change my name for a day or two? Can I just hide for a little while? Can I just have some time for me?

Those were my feelings yesterday. Today, I have a whole new attitude. Maybe it's because a got a break (when they all went to bed), maybe it's because my prayer was answered, or maybe it's because I learned from my talk. I mentioned yesterday that we spoke in church. Our assigned topic was Gratitude and I gave my own little twist on it and talked about being grateful for what we HAVE, and not focusing on what we DON'T HAVE. Anyway, I started thinking about this after the kids were in bed and it helped me to gain some perspective. I am so thankful to have healthy kids who can speak my name, put there hand prints on my walls, piano, windows and anywhere else you can think of, leave their toys all over the house, run, jump, laugh, play, I could go on and on. My life could be so much worse than it is! I could be dealing with illness, handicaps or even worse! My kids are happy, healthy and hyper and I am so GRATEFUL for that!!

Being the mom is tough! Being the mom is never glamorous! Being the mom is stressful! Being the mom means EVERYONE expects something from you! Being the mom means never having a minute to yourself! Being the mom is a thankless job!

But being the mom is also easy, when you look at the darling faces that look up to you! Being the mom is glamorous, when your little girl tells you that you are beautiful even when you haven't showered or put on any make-up! Being the mom is relaxing, when a little one climbs in your lap and just wants to 'snuggle-buggle'!! Being the mom means job security, there is ALWAYS someone that needs you! Being the mom means always having a little buddy be your side ready to help out or just listen (even if they can't understand a word you are saying!)!! Being the mom is the most rewarding job I have ever had!

I have decided that I can either focus on all the 'negative' things about being the mom and be miserable and make everyone else miserable, or I can focus on the positives and make my home a "heaven on earth"! I prefer the latter. And eventhough it isn't easy to always be happy and positive, it is always worth it! "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is so true! As a mom, I know I have a big load to carry, but I need to remember that I was given this calling by a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and loves and has promised to never give me anything I can't handle! Knowing and remembering this helps me make it through any day no matter how difficult! The hard part is always remembering!!

I love being the mom! I love my kids and the funny things they do and say that brighten my day! They are my everything and I am very, very grateful for each and every one of them!!