Mother's Day

This year marked my 7th Mother's Day! How crazy is that? I feel so lucky. Seven is heaven. It really was a heavenly day for me.  I was able to sleep in until 9 am! That NEVER happens. I am up by 7 am at the latest everyday because all the boys in this house are early birds! That is so not me. But... I'm a mom of an elementary student and have to get up. Long gone are the days when I used to sleep in until 10 am, or 11 or 12 like in high school :) When did I become that mom who wakes up to the alarm, drags herself out of bed, makes the school lunch, drags the child out of bed, makes sure his clothes match, helps with his hair, makes breakfast, drives to school in her pj's, arrives home wanting to climb back into bed, but am greeted with an energetic 3 year old ready to watch cartoons or play Superman. I am that mom now, and when some days seem mundane I like to read quotes like these...

And as a reminder to myself for baby girl coming in a few weeks, and the upcoming dread of no sleep and constant nursing that comes with newbornland...

I tell myself I will be in dreamland and not wanting to ever sleep because I will be gazing at my little princess. But I am the type that has to sleep, and each nursing experience has been so different with each child I am so hoping it is a smooth ride with her.

Anyway, back to my day. After sleeping in a little I woke up to beautiful flowers by my bed, princess pancakes, the sweetest cards and many priceless gifts from my boys. Jonathon wrote me an adorable mother's day note with the cutest little drawings. It's so funny to see the common thread in all of his notes to me, they have do with how he thinks I'm the best cook, how pretty he thinks I am, and how much he loves my hugs and kisses. Love it. Jake and Caleb got mommy her favorite chocolates, a cooking magazine, new perfume and lotion. My dad gets my mom and I beautiful matching orchid corsages to wear to church and I was happy to get that as well. It's such a sweet gesture and tradition.

The boys put my new lotion to good use, Mother's day foot rub! Yeah baby. This was Caleb's idea. Such a sweet boy, he loves to rub my feet with lotion, loves to be involved and help in anyway :) Soon after the rub down the boys turned my feet into microphones and started singing, we will rock you! haha

Me, Mother's Day afternoon with my girl. She has made me a mommy for the fourth time! Maxi dresses and skirts I live in now that I'm so big, they are the most comfortable thing. 35 weeks!

At Jonathon's school they had a Muffins with Mom breakfast. He was SO excited about this he woke up at 6:30 am to get me up! I love this boy so much. Since he was a baby I could see his endearing, energetic, positive and fun personality. He always loves a party or a reason to celebrate anything. He gets so excited about things. He's so passionate, inquisitive, loving and funny! He loves to please and to laugh and make others laugh. When we arrived at his class he said, ladies first, and took me to my seat and pulled out my chair. Then he hung up his backpack, got me my muffin and orange juice, then he went and got his and sat down by me. He had the cutest picture for me with another sweet note. We had fun just the two of us, at 7 am, having breakfast and chatting. He loved showing me all over his classroom his work on the current topic they are studying right now.

I love being a Mom. It is the hardest and the best thing in the world. It has brought me to my lowest lows and highest highs. Motherhood has changed me in so many ways and has also shown me my true self more than any other thing could. It is my calling in this life. My duty. My privilege. My greatest blessing. I work hard everyday at it, and when the days are hard, I remind myself how lucky I am. I have never thought I have lost myself, Ashley, through motherhood, I have found myself. I love my three sons and cannot wait to meet my baby girl. Ryan has taught me just as much as my other children, even in his short stay. I long to hold him, especially on Mother's Day. I know he misses me too and wishes he could receive my hugs and kisses. With everyone of my kids, when I first beheld their face, this quote entered my mind...

I couldn't be the mom I am today without my own mom! She's the best. The boys and I had fun picking gifts out for her. They adore her. My dad spoiled us and my Grandma with filet mignon, baked potatoes, salad, rolls and cheesecake after church. I am so grateful for the examples of love, strength, patience, creativity and endurance that my mom, mother-in-law, grandma's, aunts, and other wonderful women in my life have shown me. I've always looked up to my mom and admired her, and I find myself happy when I see some of her best qualities within myself. I'm so thankful to have such a sweet, talented, loving and courageous mother-in-law. She is a blessing in my life and has taught me so many wonderful things. Her example is priceless to me, for she is a woman of strength. I'm so thankful to her for raising the best man I know. I'm so grateful to be starting another generation of womanhood with my daughter. She will have many amazing women around her to learn from.

Happy Mother's Day to all of my lovely, hardworking, beautiful mommy friends!

I hope you felt as loved and appreciated as I did :)