The Mother of All Days

I've never quite understood birthdays. Don't get me wrong, I'll never turn down a chocolate cake (ever) or a big box with a bow on top (unless something inside is breathing) but I've always felt a little guilty having everyone celebrate and congratulate me. I mean, I didn't actually do anything. It was my mom who did all the work. In fact, here are my contributions to my own birth:

-I refused to come out even after over 20 hours of labor
-When I did finally move I kicked my mom's rib out just to show my displeasure
-I was also facing the wrong way because I was NOT going to make this easy on anyone
-I made my foot go slightly clubbed just out of spite (well, probably not. But I am awfully stubborn)

Being the 6th kid, you would think that I would have just leisurely popped out after a few minutes, high-fived the doctors and nurses and been like "yo momma, let's get this show on the road!" (isn't that how you talked as a baby?).

But I didn't. And neither did any of the 5 before me. So for awhile I've felt like birthdays should be a day of appreciation for the mother, not the kid-who-just-happened-to-be-kicked-out-of-a-comfy-womb-and-is-none-too-happy-about-it-either-and-I'll-let-you-know-it-for-the-next-18-years.

That's the nice thing about Mother's Day. It's finally putting recognition where it deserves. Technically, everyday should be Mother's Day but I've only felt that way since I had a son of my own. Never say I'm self centered.

So I want to take this day to officially recognize my own mother for all that she has done for me. I should also do this daily, I know. And maybe I do since everyday I think "man, this mother stuff is hard." But I still want to recognize my mom for all the things she has given me, not just life, but confidence, encouragement, unconditional love, the beginnings of a testimony and a lot of laughter along the way.

My mom and I at my wedding. I'm  not sure if you can see the resemblance. 

Here are a few things I learned from my mom:

1. Look for the good in others (I'm not as good at this as she is).

2. Never never stop learning. 

3. How to eat a raw artichoke.

4. How to feel guilty getting rid of food, even if it's starting to walk out of the fridge on its own. 

5. How to put butter on things that should not have butter on them. Like PB&J sandwiches. On my own I learned that this is super gross. 

6. You can get through anything with the Lord.

7. How to make a mean potato salad.

8. How to be a spiritual anchor. 

9. How to be a good sister (also something I'm not as good at)

10. That I am a daughter of God. 

In addition to my mom, I've also been lucky enough to have a few other great influences in my life that have shown me what it means to be a mother. I don't know how much these women know I have watched them. Let me make that sound less creepy. Watched them and admired them. There we go.

My sister and sisters-in-law. PS- I didn't have a picture of just the girls on my computer so just look at them. The guys are pretty cool, too. I guess. PPS- I'm sure you noticed the giant chasm next to me. That's where Tyler should be. But he had to work at the hospital. Doesn't it look like I was ditched by my baby daddy and was now shunned from the family? It's only funny because it's not true. 

I am also very fortunate to have another great example of a mother very close to me. Like I always say, I hit the jackpot of in-laws. She raised 5 great sons and is teaching me how to raise another:

My MIL and Landon

And of course, a few of my biggest mothering inspirations:

Okay, just kidding about that last one. But, you know, I'm sure trying to juggle diapers, algebra homework, texting, colic and how to hide your stretch marks in your prom dress is really difficult and they're trying to be the best moms that they can. No judgements here. Not too much anyway. 

And on that note...

I'd like to wish every woman out there a Happy Mother's Day and thank you to all of you who try, everyday, just to make it to the next with everyone in tact. Someday, they'll be writing a blog post about you. Except with holograms. And lasers.