It is Indeed a HAPPY Mothers Day!

Dear Diary,

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you must be in their lives today.”

I found this quote a few days ago, and obviously I liked it enough to put it as part of my header above. This is exactly what I feel, and I know why…

I cannot tell you how many times I was asked in my college years this question: “What do you want to do with your life?” It’s kind of like the question you get asked as a little kid, ’What do you want to be when you grow up?” And even if it didn’t seem fitting, or appropriate (especially in my college courses amongst my peers ), I always answered the same way, “I want to be a stay-at-home Mom.”

I remember being asked this sitting in the stands at one of Garrett’s baseball games. An older man was talking to my in-laws and I and he asked me what I was studying and, like any Communication major, I was asked what I would do with a Communication degree. I simply said, “I am hoping to be a stay-at-home Mom.” He of course laughed and made a remark or two, but it was the truth and I was only being honest.

I got that response a lot. I was, and am, very thankful to have a degree and someday I hope to have my “dream job” whatever that may be, but being home with my kids is something I have always, ALWAYS, wanted and I am incredibly thankful that it is a possibility for me.

Why the urge to stay home? Well I think it 100% has to do with my childhood and my Mother. She stayed home with us and I will tell you that no one in this world had a better childhood than my siblings and I. My brother and I, only being a year apart in age, have more great memories than we know what to do with. My Mom was the kind of Mom that made sure our time was spent doing everything we ever wanted to do, and I can’t think of my childhood without thinking of her in it. And while I am sure she had her days of wishing she was at a job rather than dealing with our shenanigans, I know now that she was probably just as thankful as I am to be able to be in her children’s lives everyday, all day.

And don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against daycare. And I respect those working Moms who are doing what they’ve always wanted to do and even more so the Moms who wish they could be home but can’t. Believe me, I am extremely thankful that staying home is even a possibility. Garrett knew this meant a lot to me and even though we aren’t making millions (who is?), we are making it work!

My Mother made growing up the best experience it could be for us and I can only hope to be that kind of a Mother to my kids. I love that, like her, I get to wake up each and every morning with my kids. I love that, like her, I get to fix every meal, change every diaper and wipe every snotty nose. I love that, like her, I get to be there for every laugh, first step or new word. I love that, like her, I get to be in my children’s lives today, and in their memories tomorrow.

Every one thinks they have the best Mom in the world, but I know that I truly do. I hope that I can handle those unavoidable, snotty teenage years the way she did. I pray that after my girls grow up, get married, and start families of their own that they think of me like I think of my Mother. Then I know I will have done something right!

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL Mothers. Being a Mom is the hardest and best job out there! I respect each and every one of you, especially my Mother! Love you more and more every day!

Sincerely Yours,