On motherhood

Saw this on someone else's blog... probably Little Green Notebook since I did a full dive into her archives. I LOVE this photo. When I was growing up, my mom collected paintings and statues of mother-and-child. So this makes me think of her for a couple of reasons, the other being obvious. (And not because she sits in fields bottomless.)

Just feeling grateful today. For having a mom I feel so tenderly about, and BEING a mom. Oh there is nothing in the world as sweet.

Nothing.

You know how sometimes your kids say things that swell your heart so big it could burst. But to others it doesn't sound like much? This is probably one of those. Disclaimer made if bored from here on.

Last night, our family prayers by Sophia's bed were mostly just her and I. Ross was on the couch-- the pain is still in and out, he must be passing the other stones) Mila was refusing to leave the dollhouse unattended. Sophia volunteered to say it and started with some obnoxious mention of hot dogs with a big hardy laugh. This is her joke of the week. ANYTHING with the word hot-dog in it. NO idea why. But it's bugging me in normal life... so it bugged me even more in a prayer.

"We don't tell jokes in prayers Sophia. And we don't use that crazy cartoon voice... just the normal one."

I thought she'd get all grumpy like she does when I scold her a little for anything. But instead she quickly restarted... forehead against mine, her breath warm on my exhausted, mommy face.

"We're thankful for this day-- and that daddy's tummy's a little better, and we played with toys, and we played with Kate, and we're going to a birthday party tomorrow. And I like to draw... I like to draw my name. And I can draw my name berry well. And my mom--- my mom.... um... my mom is SOOO proud of me because I can write my name berry berry well.... "

this is when my eyes welled up with tears. The same eyes that had been giving her mommy-glare after a day of random "hot-dog" outbursts.

"And I love to draw my letters. I can draw M and O and P and H and I and A... and S. And E, and T, P, N, and V... lots and LOTS of letters. And we're thankful for Jesus. In the name of ......."

Sometimes it's just almost so incredible it hurts. It's just so incredible. So INCREDIBLE that we made these little girls and that they are OUR little girls to nurture and love and encourage and BUILD every ounce of confidence they'll need to take on this world. Ours to teach all about a Heavenly Father and his plan of salvation so they will be FULLY equipped to stand out and be peculiar, and be ok with that. And then I think of kids who are not uplifted and loved and TREASURED and I forget that there could be any greater sin in the world than that.

I'm all over the place.

But I'm the luckiest mom in the world. And today I think I could have a dozen... because I am TERRIFIED at the thought of reaching a day where my home is not ringing with the melody of their little voices saying these precious things.

Just so grateful to be a mommy.