sisters & motherhood

                                                (Jamie 30 weeks    Michelle 23 weeks)

Here is a picture at my adorable little sister's baby shower.  I can't believe sometimes that she is having a baby, but alas it is true. We are having little girls just 7 weeks apart.  I think she is probably tired of Angie, mom and I telling her how tired she is going to be, and all the joys of labor and breastfeeding and overall exhaustion of parenting.

 Michelle got her dose this trip of loud, rambunctious girls (and one adorable little boy), never ending meals and snacks needing to be prepared and cooked... and then cleaned up, long car rides with kids that just wanted out, fighting and whining. You get the point.

 I hope that she also saw the sweet hugs, cuddles, thoughtful notes written and pictures drawn, adorable creativity as plays were practiced and preformed.  The sweet spirit that comes with 5 little girls singing primary songs to a 97 year old woman in her living room.  Motherhood is the hardest thing in the world.  It tries your patience, & will power.  Each day you need to evaluate why you are doing what you are doing. There are days where you want to throw in the towel and say, "Why do I do this?" Then in a sweeping moment those feeling can go away when your little boy, with sleepy eyes reaches up to you after a nap, and just wants to rest his little head on your chest as he slowly wakes up. Then you think, "I am the luckiest woman in the world to be able to be here in this moment, that I am your mother."  That moment may soon pass as you hear a loud crash down stairs, and you have to go asses if any stitches are needed, but those small moments are what keep your perspective where it should be. 

I know that Michelle is going to be a wonderful mother. I know that there are things that scare her to death. I know because I felt the same way as I'm sure all mothers have.  I don't think you ever stop learning or growing as a mother. You'll make mistakes and pray to do better the next day.  You'll pray a lot.

  I read more books now than ever before.  When you have your first, you read books about breastfeeding and sleep schedules. Now I am trying to remember breastfeeding and how to handle a sassy, strong willed red head. I am so thankful for an amazing mother, sisters, and other strong woman around me who have taught me not only the importance of motherhood, but the true joy that can be found even when things are hard. 

I told Michelle, "You think that you know what love is before you have a baby, but when they put that little girl in your arms you'll feel a love so deep, like you have never felt before."

I love you Michelle! I can't wait to watch and support you throught this amazing time in your life.