Five years!?!

Five sweet years ago today, I found out I was going to be a mommy! I cannot believe it has been that long since I first saw those two little pink lines. That moment was such a special time that I will never forget. I squealed, jumped up and down, cried, and rejoiced. And that was just a small glimpse of all the joy that my precious baby would bring to my life. And then I got to experience the excitement again two and half years later! Sometimes when I look at my family, I think "why me, God?" Why did You choose to bless me so richly? I have done nothing to deserve any of it. And yet, I am blessed beyond measure. It is so humbling and overwhelming at times. The first moment I held my babies was such a powerful reminder of how much my heavenly father loves me. When they were born, they had done nothing to "deserve" my love. They were helpless, needed everything from me, and had not much to offer in return. In fact, they had kinda made me quite sick at times for the last nine months. Yet when I held those girls, I loved them more intensely and quickly than I had ever loved anyone. I loved them because they were mine. And to think...God loves me even more than that...just because I am His! Isn't that amazing?


Besides showing me love on a whole new level, being a mom has taught me and changed me more than anything else. It has been such a fun and full five years! (yes, I am counting from the time I found out I was pregnant...) I thought I would share ten things I've learned or discovered about motherhood as I reflect back today.


1. There is pretty much nothing sweeter in the world than rocking a clean, lotioned up baby in their little pajamas. I love singing and rocking my girls nightly. I still rock Lily. She's four. I plan to continue this until high school. Patrick and I have to take turns, or we would argue about it. :)


2. When I first held Lily and Evie, I thought "there is nothing they can ever do that will frustrate me or make me mad" and "I'll never lose my patience with this precious baby." ....um, wrong.


3. If I don't depend upon the Lord, I will lose my patience all.of.the.time. I pray about this a lot. And He gives me many, many chances to work on it ;) Basically, to be the mom I want to be, my focus cannot be on my children. It must be on God. The rest will come naturally. And this is an everyday thing/struggle on which I need to work.


4. My kids poop really doesn't smell as bad as other kids'. I have the weakest stomach ever. So either my gag reflex has been fortified, or my children smell like roses.


5. I know not everyone is cut out to be a stay at home mom, but I really feel like I was born to do it. I love it. I am SO thankful that I am able to, and I love, love spending all day, every day with my children. That's not to say everyday is "wonderful" or even close, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.


6. Having a cookie or a piece of candy will NOT, in fact, kill my children.


7. It's best if their daddy never dresses them unless I lay out the clothes. This has been proven time and time again. He's amazing at just about every aspect of parenting but not this one. :)


8. Having two kids is not double the trouble. It's like...quadruple. Something about going from one to two ROCKED MY WORLD.


9. Just like having two is wayyyy more trouble, it is has been four times the fun. There is no sweeter sound than that of my girls laughing and playing together. Watching them become best friends brings me endless joy!


10. It all goes too fast. Do I really have a four year old? Is my baby really almost two?? It seems like yesterday I was rocking them to sleep....wait, it was yesterday. But you know what I mean. They are little for such a short, short time. I don't want to waste a second of it. I cherish everyday that I get to spend with them. I know a day is coming when they would probably rather be with friends. Until then, I want to live each day to the fullest...just being their mommy. Their playmate. Their teacher. Their friend. Their cuddle-bug. Their boo boo kisser. And yes, even their little booty wiper:) This stage of their life (and of mine) will be over in the blink of an eye.


Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with your two precious little girls. Thank you for the gift of motherhood. Thank you for each day I get to spend with them. I truly love it...