With Mother's Day approaching, I have been thinking a lot about what it has meant to me to be a mom. Since, having my daughter my life has changed drastically and has altered more and more with each additional child. So what have all of these changes meant to me?
The first thing that usually comes to mind is that it is the hardest job that I have ever had but also the most rewarding. I wake up early(ish) and go to bed late. I don't get a lunch break, most days I don't even get a lunch. Unless you count the kids left over sandwich crust. The to do list never ends but only grows. The laundry and dishes resemble my to do list as they stack up higher and higher. While I face the chaos though, I get to watch them grow and learn. I get to witness and be a part of every little milestone and it is overwhelmingly beautiful and oh so worth it all.
My aunt told me the other day that "this season goes by so fast but you will feel every minute of it". Her words could not have been more true. We can already see it in the short years we have been through. I swear I just brought Rhiannon home from the hospital and she is 5 and we have three more. How has it sped by so much, yet felt like it would never end at times? The time is rushing by but we are feeling it. It is pretty amazing. Like I said, it is hard but so rewarding.
The feelings of being overwhelmed, in both the challenges and the joy of motherhood, are just the surface of how I feel about motherhood. Deep down, the true feeling that is stirring inside of me is honor. I am so honored to be their mama. I am so honored that God has entrusted ME with these kids. To raise them. To care for them. To keep them healthy and safe.
Raising kids today can be scary. Forget about the violence and just plain terrifying things that face us out there in this world. Simply what enters our home can be scary. There's so many diseases, chemicals in our food, things we just didn't have to worry about when we were growing up. Or maybe we just didn't know about them yet. Either way, this is a scary time to be raising kids. And to think, I am being trusted to care for 4 kids. Wow. It is such an honor to be a mom.
I am taking the privilege seriously and doing what I can to make sure I do the best I can to protect them. We try to eat as healthy as we can. As much organic, healthy food as possible. With the occasional junk because we are human. We filter what enters our home, on the TV and Radio, but also when it comes to healthy families (both physically and what kind of junk they bring with them). We need to be careful what we expose our kids to but also make sure they are exposed enough to shine their little lights. We use essential oils instead of the usual medications...and only feel a little bit like hippies because of it.
Recently we began purchasing LifeWay Kefir ProBugs. They are a great way to add probiotics into our little one's diets without them fighting us. The kids love them. They are delicious, the baby steals them and I had to go back to buy the Lowfat Kefir Probiotics. Beyond the taste and feeling like I should get an award based on the kids reactions when I give them to them, I feel like this is just one more step in making sure I am doing everything I can to take care of the little lives that I am responsible for.
I will never be the perfect mom. I fail daily and am teaching my kids to forgive with each mistake I make. I am learning along the way. With each day comes a new challenge and a new reward. I am so excited to see what the next stage brings. I know I will be tested and tried but this journey is one that I wouldn't give up for anything.
I would love to hear about your life as a mommy. So comment, tell me, what is your biggest trial or biggest reward as a mom?
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