Happy Mother's Day...just a wee bit late!

So it looks like have I become a once a week blogger. That isn't the intent but it's because either I have been too busy or nothing interesting has been going on. I am afraid it's more likely the latter scenario. Oh well, here I am now so what am I going to write about? How about dragging out mother's day a little bit longer?!

First, my mom. I don't think a woman can truly be thankful for her own mom until she becomes a mother. Not to say that women who don't have kids can't be thankful for their mom, no not at all, but there is a deeper sense of appreciation when you have kids of your own. I am pretty sure my mom and I mother similarly. Perhaps it's in our genes. Or, I think I turned out o.k. so she must have done something right. Right?! Everyone says my mom and I are exactly alike from the way we talk to our mannerisms to our cheesy jokes (that's right, mom, we are cheesy). I have even been told that my handwriting is like hers! Nature versus nurture? I don't know. But, now that I have kids I can start to understand her love for me. The "I'll do anything even stand in front of an oncoming bus so you don't have to get hurt" love. Oh, I know, I broke her heart, just like my kids will break mine. But I know she will always love me. She made sure to let me know that she was "mom" before she was "friend." Perhaps that's where some mother- daughter relationships are lacking. "Tough love" is something of the past. My mom was tough, but, man, did she love us. And, now, I am so happy to say that she is not only my mom but also my friend.

Then there is my mother-in-law. To say that I have been blessed with a good one, is an understatement. To say "in-laws" in our family, isn't saying a bad word. It's an interesting relationship mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law is the one who stole the son! I hear it often that men marry women like their mothers. To me, this is a compliment. My mother-in-law loves her family and has a servant's heart. She is sassy and has a great sense of humor. She is a woman who holds strong to her faith. I can appreciate each one of these things because it's what molded my husband into who he is today.

Then there's me. Now, this isn't the time to toot my own horn so to speak. But, as much as Mother's Day is a commercial holiday, I do think it's a good time to sit back and gauge how I think I am doing as mommy to my kids. Some days Super Mommy comes out and, on others, the great villain Mommy rears her ugly head. Usually, the latter depends greatly on the amount of sleep and sugar that are in mommy's system at the time. I think it's important as moms to be transparent and remember that we aren't perfect and nobody else is perfect. Our moms failed, and we fail. But only by the Grace of God are we able to get through each day realizing that we have His power in our weakness.

So, to all you moms out there. Keep up the good work!! Keep on wiping those slimy noses, milk mustached lips, and stinky bottoms. Kiss those cheeks, toes, and bellies. Clean those grass-stained jeans, fingerprinted windows, and play-dough encrusted tabletops. Listen to wildly imagined stories, songs sung out of tune, and bedtime prayers. Be thankful that you are a mom. I know that I am.