Mothering~

Having children was a hard won victory for me.  The hubby and I tried for 4 years to have our first baby.  But finally, after what seemed like a million trips to the fertility specialist and at least that many different procedures, crying every month when I discovered I wasn't pregnant, finally conceiving and miscarrying, the first of our four perfect babies was placed in my arms at the hospital. 

My  OB had a tradition of singing a Swedish birthday song to every baby he delivered.  He had a beautiful voice.  But my eyes were only for my baby.  How I had longed for him.

And yet, even though I had dreamt of that moment everyday for all those years, I had no idea how quickly and how intensely I would fall in love with that beautiful little creature.  How my entire identity would change the instant he was born.  How I would forever be his mother.

And now, almost 11 years later, I have four beautiful children.  And I am insanely in love with all of them.  And I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the gift he has given me in them.  And I pray that I will be worthy of that gift.

And how grateful I am for my mother who gave me the gift of life, and who is, unquestioningly, one of the strongest women I have ever known.  And to my sweet mother-in-law who is as  much my mother as she is the hubby's.  I am so blessed to have these two wonderful women in my life to mother me, to give me advice, and to listen when all I want to do is complain. 

Happy Mother's Day.