Shout Out to All the Moms in da House

WHO KNEW ..... SO much was involved in being a mom, let alone aspiring to be a good mom. Folks, I had NO idea. I often joke that I'm "striving to be a mediocre mom", but my heart's desire is that one day my kids will rise up and call me blessed. They have a good start, as they often say "Bless you!" when I sneeze!

Growing up, my mom was simply always there. The quiet one in the background, letting her kids take center stage. She would take me on special little outings to the mall, where we might even steal away to grab a hot fudge sundae! Every summer, she would painstakingly map out plans for a family vacation -- trips that are among my most vivid childhood memories. Her greatest attribute might very well be her amazing generosity.

A childhood growing up in a Christian home ..... is there any better gift for a child?

I received this e-mail today from a good friend, and wanted to pass it along to all the moms out there:

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooed on.
Chewed on.
Wet on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life SOOOOO much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom ...

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!