I Love...Motherhood

Today I Love That I'm a Mother!

Because it's the last day of my Month of Love, I couldn't think of anything I love more.

But, I haven't always been a mother.

I remember being a little girl, sitting in my class at church and when they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, I remember responding, "I just want to be a mom." And that was the truth. I didn't want to be anything else. I didn't have any grand plans for my life...except to be a mom. And I started getting it all planned out in my head at a very early age.

It started with my dolls. I played with my dolls like CRAZY! I named them and took them everywhere with me. They were my babies and I loved them. As I got older, I planned my 20+ children's names. 

I still remember Tiffany and Tyler were my favorites for a long time!

Then the plans for exactly HOW MANY kids I was going to have. Again, I had it all planned out. 

I even had a set of twins planned in there somewhere! 

hahahaha!

Yes, I was one of THOSE crazy girls.

When I first got married, I thought, "Here we go!" and I was so excited that I would finally get to have the one thing I had been dreaming about my whole life.

But, there was obviously a different plan for me. 

And it was very painful and extremely difficult to accept that.

To have to come to grips with the fact that I would never have children of my own seemed like some nightmare that I just wanted to wake up from. How do you make sense of that? How do you learn to be ok with that? 

For me, it took a lot of tears. It took a lot of prayers. 

It took a lot of encouragement. and it took a great deal of faith.

I feel like I finally was able to let go and trust that Heavenly Father was in control of my life and knew what was best for me. I learned to trust Him and His timing.

But, it was so hard.

Now, I look at my crazy life and there are days 

that I don't know what to think. 

I feel like it has been this whirlwind of unexpected miracles.

To be a mother is something I cherish.
 It's something that I try really hard not to take for granted.

It's something that I find great joy in. 

In my opinion, there is no job more noble than that of a mother.

Warning: 

Too many photos of me ahead!

But, this is my way of kind of scrapbooking my life as a mom, 

so just scroll through them quickly if you would like!

I'm not a perfect mother.

I never will be.

To be a mother doesn't mean you have to be perfect. 

It doesn't mean you aren't going to be tired. 

It doesn't mean you won't be overwhelmed.

It doesn't mean you won't be cranky.

To be a mother, means you get up every day and you keep trying. You keep loving your kids. You keep giving it everything you can that day. It means you do your very best, and trust that the Lord will take care of the rest. 

Today, I love being a mother. 

Not because I'm super-terrific at it, but because it's something that I have to work really hard at. 

And because I work so hard at it, I find great value in it. 

I'm very grateful I have such forgiving and loving kids.

They see my imperfections every day.....and they love me anyway.

Today, I love them.

I Love...Love Bombs

Today I Love Dropping Love Bombs!

What is a "Love Bomb"?

I ran across this website and was instantly intrigued.

Every week, people are nominated to receive "Love Bombs". 

These are people who are struggling with 

different challenges in their lives. 

And each Thursday, you receive an email with an introduction of the recipient of that week's "Love Bomb". 

They share a link to this person's blog, and all you have to do is go leave an uplifting and encouraging comment. 

I LOVE IT!

Last week, we were sent to a blog post that was written by a 20-something young lady who just learned that her mother had days to live. Her blog post that day was a very touching letter to her mom.

So, we all dropped our "Love Bombs".

Hundreds of comments of love and support 

were left on her blog page.

And the best part was that she had no idea it was coming.

The week before was a young mom who was trying to stay courageous and strong as she helped her young child battle a horrible disease.

So, we all dropped our "Love Bombs".

I believe that life is short.

And I believe that any little thing we can do to make a difference really does matter.

The best thing about dropping a "Love Bomb" is 

that it literally takes less than 5 minutes.

We all have good intentions.

And yet this is so simple and easy.

You can do it!

Lives are changed, spirits are lifted and people are encouraged, 

one "Love Bomb" at a time!

Interested?

It's so easy.

Go to this link and sign up.

Drop a Love Bomb!

All they need is your name, email, city and state.

I don't believe that any of my "Love Bombs" make any grand difference on their own.

But, combined with hundreds of others, I believe it can.

Today, I love that I can get involved.

Today, I love that I can try to make a difference.

Today,

I love "Love Bombs"!

I Love...Gummy Bear Competition

Today I Love Gummy Bears!

With this many kids, sometimes you have to get creative.

With everyone involved in different things, you don't have the luxury to do big, time-consuming activities all the time. So, sometimes we come up with quick little things to have fun as a family.

My kids love competitions.

ANY kind of competition.

And Ricky is right there with them.

It really is one of our favorite things.

The other night, right before bed, I gave them all a plastic cup and had them stand together.

Then I started tossing gummy bears.

And the competition began.

Arms were flailing, gummy bears were flying and kids were laughing.

It doesn't take much to have fun with these guys.

And today, I love that!

I love that something as simple as gummy bears 

can bring so much joy into our home.

Simply Sunday: I Love...Say Something Nice

Today I Love People Who Say Kind Things!

Tonight's post is short and sweet. 

I love kind people. 

I love people who take the time to say something kind.

And I love the difference it makes in my life when they do so.

To say something kind requires such little effort on our part, 

but has the potential to be powerful in the life of the person on the receiving end.

I went in my bedroom tonight and found a very touching handwritten letter, from an incredibly sweet child. 

No big fancy words were used. No beautiful stationary.

But, what that child expressed to me touched my heart in a way that's hard to describe. 

He has no idea.

And I don't know how to adequately let him know what that note meant.

I've had other kind words expressed this week 

by friends who took time out of their lives to do so.

And it has meant so much.

So, today I love kind words.

I love the power that lies in kind words.

I love the thought behind those words.

And that sweet boy?

I love him dearly.

I Love...My Ninja Warrior

Today I Love My Ninja Warrior

See this face?

Isn't it a sweet little angelic face?

He really is the cutest little thing.

But, take one more look at that face.

Because at some point during the night, 

he becomes this.....

Our own personal ninja warrior.

I never thought I'd be a mom who had kids sleeping in her bed with her. But at some point during the night, Luke stealthily makes his way downstairs and climbs in my bed. I would correct it and take him back to his bed.....if only I heard him or felt him get in bed. Most times on those mornings, you can find him with his legs all over Ricky, or sometimes even laying on top of his head. He's a CRAZY sleeper. I just usually sleep through it. 

Well, very early this morning, I was shown just what a powerful ninja warrior he is. 

I awoke to Luke talking in his sleep. 

He was making all sorts of funny sounds. 

He was having a sweet little conversation with Lucy.

Then, he said, "Come on Lucy! I'll get him!"

And with his best ninja skills, 

he kicked a mighty kick.

Right into my face.

I laughed and then realized how much my cheek was hurting!

So, today I love that when my little ninja warrior wakes up,

he'll be back to this.

My sweet little angelic Luke.

No more karate chops.

Just my bruised little cheek.

I love him.

I Love...Random Things

I Love All Sorts of Random Things!

I was sitting here today and thinking about what I love.

So many things came to mind.

Most of them are little things.

I love the way Luke and Lucy smell after a bath.

I also love the smell of my big boys.

.....well, most of the time.

I love that when I tell those big boys to go do their homework, 

they can't help but wrestle and attack each other first.

And I love the girly yells that make their way downstairs.

I love my college kids.

I love the little texts I get from them.

I love that Moses comes home when he can.

And I love waking up to see him sleeping. 

I love that Hannah makes such an effort to 

stay connected with home.

And I love that she values her relationships with 

each one of us individually.

I love that I live close to Sonic.

hee hee hee

Now, only if I lived close to my mom 

so she could have a soda with me.

I love that Keely and Charity have a special relationship.

I love that they need each other.

I love that they enjoy being together.

They have all sorts of funny inside jokes and it makes them close.

I love that.

I love Skinny Cow Sugar Free ice cream sandwiches. 

Yummmmy.

I love Resinol diaper rash ointment!

If you are a mom of a baby.....THIS is for you.

You have to ask for it from the pharmacist, 

but it's worth the extra effort.

I love the phone call I got yesterday from my sister Jenny.

She's having another baby......and I'm so very happy for her.

And yes, we laughed.

I love that I have good friends, who I know would do anything for me if I needed them.

I love that they can make me laugh when I really don't feel like I can.

I love my sister Britney.

She is beautiful and talented.

But, best of all she almost always answers the phone when I call.

She always has the best ideas and is always willing to share.

And I love that my sister Lori calls me every morning on her way to the gym.

Except this morning!

Where was my phone call Lori?

I love that Ricky buys me flowers.

And I love that they aren't roses.

Nothing against you "rose" girls, but I'd much rather have these.

Flowers make me so happy.

And when you combine them with anything chocolate-raspberry, 

Well, that's just amazing!

Today,

I love all the little things that make life wonderful.

They help the not-so-wonderful things seem a lot better!

I Love...These Fighters!

Today I love these fighters!!

They are my heroes.

Facebook has been an amazing thing. 

It has brought me back in touch with so many people who have touched my life at some point. 

It has also made it very easy to follow

 the challenges that many of them face.

The people in this post have all faced,

or are facing, some really tough things.

And I love them so much for the example they are to me 

of courage, faith, determination and strength.

They are fighters. I have watched many of them tackle these hardships head on. I have watched their heartache, yet have seen them turn that heartache into courage. I have seen them have really tough days. Days filled with fear, with sadness, with discouragement, with pain and with unanswered questions. Some live with chronic illnesses, while others fight to live. Some have had to endure heartache that is intense and painful beyond what they could probably explain.

Yet every single person you see, has made a choice to be positive, to have hope, to trust in things unseen, and to make the most of every day.

Because of them, I am stronger. 

I have had only but a small glimpse into many of their challenges, but it has been enough to change me and to make me more grateful for the blessings in my life.

These are my family and my friends. 

Look at their faces. 

Not a sad one in the bunch.

They are inspiring. They are powerful examples.

They are what the human spirit is all about.

 

Today,

I love them.

I love them for enduring life's trials so well.

Thank you, my wonderful friends and family.

You make me want to be better.