"The loveliest materpiece of the heart of God is the love of a Mother.
-St. Therese of Lisieux"
Mother's Day always causes me to take some time to reflect over the many wonderful memories I've made with my children over the years...




I've been a mother now for almost 13 years (14 if you count in utero!)
When I reflect back to how I used to parent my first child, compared to how I find parenting now, I realize how much my perceptions have changed.
I remember how overwhelmed ~and in awe~ I was after I first gave birth. I spent the first 24 hours staring at my first born; couldn't sleep a wink. How could I now be responsible for this tiny little, fragile looking person? Would I be able to be a good Mother to him?
The next one came...
And another.
And another.
And now we are expecting our fifth little bundle of joy!!!
Parenting a group of children is much different than how I found parenting only one oh so many years ago!
I recall how I used to find just taking care of my firstborn as a very tedious and difficult task.
The sleepless nights. The wailing continuous cries. The spit-ups on the new outfits. The messy diapers.
And yet, when my next son came it seemed to get a bit easier. "I've been here, done this before."
Although having two rambunctious little boys around wasn't always easy, they did seem to enjoy entertaining one another :)
At that time I was a single mom (you can read more about that journey in previous blogs) so part of the challenge was simply the burden of parenting two boys alone.
Later, after marriage, when I gave birth to my first daughter, I was sooo thankful for our first girl! Finally, a little lady in our home to parent. It had been such a long-awaited desire of my heart :)
Lastly, when our lil JJ arrived on the scene, I can say I wasn't nearly as intimidated as I had been with the previous three. A fourth was just 'one more' in the mix to enjoy, love and join in with our fun-lovin' crew!


Why do I share this?
Well, I am thinking of all the new moms out there who may be feeling simply overwhelmed with this new 'call' on their lives...
I am thinking of all the single mothers out there who may be feeling overwhelmed, and alone...
I am thinking of the seasoned mom who is expecting another little one...with maybe a few already running around by her feet!
It's not always easy to be a mother. And certainly there will be difficult seasons for every one of us.
However, there is NOTHING so rewarding as knowing that we are investing in the next generation. We are literally 'making our mark' on the world around us!
I want to remind every mother out there, no matter what season of life you may be in, that you are NOT insignificant. You are more important than you realize :)
This is so beautifully expressed and your family is lovely! It warmed my heart to read the quote by St. Therese, the Little Flower. She is my favorite saint and has sent me numerous roses in answer to unending petitions!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your encouragement & stopping by :)
DeleteAwesome as always!!! We hope you had a day filled to the brim with God's amazing grace! xoxo
ReplyDeleteA little late...but thanks so much for stopping by Tanya :)
DeleteI couldn't agree more. I am also in the later part of my journey and I think the young moms need encouragement to know that what they do certainly does matter!!! It matters a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI am visiting you from Inspire me Monday/Create with Joy. My post is about teaching children to sew:
http://www.thelostapron.com/2013/05/summer-sewing-camp-supplies.html
I totally agree! A mother has remarkable influence on the future of our society.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by :)
I certainly can agree that our perspective on raising children does change as more come along. You have a beautiful family and Thank you for sharing your Mother's day story with us here at "Tell Me a Story." God has given us a life to look after and to be an example for them. Many will enjoy your words, so wisely placed here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hazel :)
DeleteThank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story."
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. As I always say, love those link-ups!
DeleteBeautifully said! Thanks for this wonderful encouragement from a mom for moms, and thanks for sharing it at NOBH!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim :)
DeleteLovely encouragement for moms. You have expressed the role of mother--and the joy!
ReplyDeleteMay God bless your precious family.
Thanks so much Carol :)
DeleteThe face of motherhood changes, doesn't it? You expressed it well.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from SDG.
It certainly does. Thanks Kathleen for coming by :)
DeleteThank you for this reminder! And I too remember that first baby. It is funny how absolutely exhausted I was in giving birth yet couldn't sleep a wink! Congrats on #5. Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachael!!
DeleteGreat post! Following through the Thumping Thursday blog hop. Would for you to stop by my blog! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michiko :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful family you have! Thank you for sharing this mothering story. What a precious journey it is. And this is a lovely message. So glad you shared it with us through Playdates with God this week :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura :)
DeleteSuch a sweet post filled with so much encouragement! I remember after my second was born, four years later, I felt like I'd forgotten everything I ever knew about babies, haha!
ReplyDeleteIt can be scary when they first lay that tiny little one in your arms. It can also be amazing and wonderful and, as you said, exhausting!
Thanks so much for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party.
Two sides of the same coin with parenting; the exhaustion and the elation! Thanks so much for coming by and sharing :)
DeleteJust wanted to pop back and say that "Making Your Home Sing Monday" is up and ready for your posts today!
ReplyDeleteUs moms will always be needed.Thanks for a great reflection!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara so much for commenting & stopping by!!
DeleteLovely story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly for stopping by!!
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