Grateful to be a Mother

(my mother's day flowers from Rus)

I felt especially blessed this Mother's Day to be a mother. I know that it is a noble calling, and like any blessing, it is a gift from my Heavenly Father. I know that on most days I take my children for granted. And on hard days I wonder where in the world these crazy kids came from and why I wanted them in the first place. I find it amazing that these "innocent" little spirits can be so trying and so wonderful all at once...And that they can bring out the best and worst in me better that almost anyone (Rus being the main exception). I've been trying to think of different experiences I've had with my kids and the feelings I've felt, and here are some that I've come up with...At any given moment I feel (have felt): incapable, insufficient, overwhelmed, frustrated, overjoyed, proud, embarrassed, speechless, ridiculous, happy, sad, worried, stressed, angry, tired, exhausted, giggly, goofy, childish, too-old, inexplicable, confused, impatient, powerful, powerless, depressed, contented...hmmm...that's all I can think of right now. I could probably give you a detailed example of each feeling, but think I won't. :) I guess my point is that being a mother isn't all bliss, but I am grateful to be a mother because I think I've felt everthing more deeply. It is much harder than I thought it would be, but I think I've had a richer experience, a more valuable and rewarding experience, than I would've had without being a mother. So, again I thank Heavenly Father for this journey, for this season of my life, and for my family.