Week 18: Motherhood & ME (Member Photos)
I often hear people say, "I'm JUST a Mom". That is a crazy statement to me. A mother is not "JUST" anything. She is a Personal Chef/Head Cheerleader/Housekeeper/Taxi Driver/Judge Mom/PhD in Anger Management/Hair Stylist/Keeper of Secrets/Family Therapist /Errand Runner/Laundry Machine Operator/Janitor/Teacher/Finance Manager/Arts & Crafts Instructor/ Potty Trainer/ Locater of Lost Things/ Champion Tickler/Lifeguard/Personal Assistant for the entire family/ Rules Enforcer/Wardrobe Stylist/ Personal Shopper/Toothbrush Inspector/PTA Mom/Play-date Coordinator/Birthday Event Planner/Scary Monster Patrol Officer/Dramatic Story Teller/Backyard Safety Patrol/Lullaby Singer/ Boo-Boo Fixer/Kiss and Hugs Expert/Speech Specialist/Vacation Coordinator & Tour Guide/Separation Anxiety Counselor/Master in Negotiations/ Seamstress of Frilly Dresses and Super Hero Costumes/Mrs. Fix-It/Fort Engineer/Stain Removal Expert/Bodyguard/Lady MacGyver/ CEO of the household/ Superwoman. (Try putting that on a name badge/ID!)
Aubrey Dettmer - We tried to have a baby for 6 1/2 years, until we came to the realization that maybe it wasn't meant to be. At the time we realized this, we didn't know we were already pregnant with our oldest daughter. And then we had a little struggle again with our second, but God blessed us once more.I never thought I could have even one baby, although it was my greatest desire since I was young, so having two makes me feel more blessed than I could ever imagine. Being the oldest of 8 kids, I thought having my own would be a breeze, that I'd watched my mom over the years and helped with the kids and that I'd be a pro. Little did I know how much I had to learn, namely that my mom is a saint of a woman who just made it look easy. I also learned that patience is not my forte. But I keep trying to become a better mom and to overcome my faults so that my children will remember their childhood as the happiest of days just as my mom created that memory for me. My heart overflows with love for my girls, and their laughter and smiles are my greatest happiness. I know many women who struggle with infertility, and I know just how hard this day is for them, but all women are mothers in a way, so to all women, a Happy Mother's Day.
Jen Ostler - The boy changed my life so much for the better. I no longer feel lost, no longer searching for my purpose. We won't be having more babies but it's fun to babysit and experience what life with two kids could be like. And then there's the dog. Motherhood takes many forms. Whether it's our own babies, our fur babies, or the other children that come and go in our lives and look up to us as examples.
Sara Lowing-Wright - Motherhood is so complex. So much depth. There's my own experience as a mother. And then there's my experience as a daughter, to this women. She is my mother. We have been through so much together. Just us. My dad left us before our family journey even got off the ground. My mom was so young and she had to grow-up, single, with me at her side. It didn't always go well. In fact, it rarely went well. She wasn't ready to deal with me at that point in her life and I didn't do her any favors with my behavior. That is our past. I left Michigan 15 years ago and she moved out to Oregon shortly after. We discovered we did, in fact, love each other and need each other. She lives around the block from me now and helps me raise my precious boys. They are her boys too. Happy Mother's Day to all. Seriously amazing work, Mamas.
Eboni Rivera - Motherhood and ME {www.luxeartimages.com}This is the 2nd year that I've taken a Mother's Day self-portrait with my girls. It's a tradition that I plan to keep up with for as long as I possibly can. It's pretty important for me to document these moments, especially when my girls ask me, "what did grandma look like when you were a little girl?" and I have absolutely no pictures to produce… At least my grandchildren won't have that problem. Happy Mother's Day.
Cai Vail - Motherhood has changed me in more ways than I can even comprehend. Beyond the gift of everyday joy and love that I had never known before, my son has given me life. Before I became pregnant, I was not healthy. I wasn’t taking care of myself physically, mentally, or emotionally. I was on a path that could very likely had led to a sad end, a life and dreams cut short. I was unhappy and self destructive, because I felt like I had little to live for, and each day was just something to get through. I feel ceaselessly lucky, blessed, to have been given the opportunity to step up and reclaim my life, and my son was the one who gave me that gift. He changed me from the inside out. Becoming pregnant with him showed me that I was capable of change, as I quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes and finally owned up to my health problems and found help. Giving birth to him showed me I was a thousand times stronger than I had known, welcoming him into my arms after 60 hours of active labor and a fight for our patient rights, all in the midst of a blizzard. The first year of his life showed me that inner patience is a well with no bottom, and that calm and grace will always win in the face of frustration and exhaustion. His addition to our lives brought my partner and I together as a family, and in becoming a family, I gained a wonderful and loving mother-in-law and brother. This little boy, without even knowing it, has broken down the walls I’d built around my heart and given me every reason to live, to live well, to pursue my dreams so that he can be inspired by my ambition and passion and strength. I knew my child would be a gift. I didn’t know that motherhood, itself, would be such a gift. That it would transform my body, my mind, my heart, and that I would never be the same again. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you beautiful and inspiring mamas! I’m so honored to share this group and this journey with you.
Kortney Fox - I grew up in a house full of children, but not full of siblings (it's just me and my lil' bro), my mom ran a daycare out of our home. She watched and raised over 85 children throughout those years with all types of personalities. She was amazing with every single one of them and helped even the most troubled and misbehaved transform and rid their bad habits. I tell my mom she needs to write a book about all of her child-raising wisdom. I never realized how much I learned from her just by observing and being a part of that environment until I had children of my own. A quiet house is not something I have ever truly experienced since there were always a bunch of tiny little munchkins running around. I always knew that I would one day have tiny little munchkins of my own. Now, here I am, being tackled and tickled by my three littles, a common occurrence in this house, since I am outnumbered until Daddy or Pappi (grandpa) arrive for the save, then it's their turn!
Elena Pendell - My mom. Everything I know I learned from her. She inspires me daily and I never gave her enough credit... until I became a mom myself. The ring I wear is from her mom who was the best Nana I could have asked for. She was a single mom of three after her husband died. These strong, loving women shaped me and showed me how to go through life with love in your heart.
Jennifer L Bruce - My new favorite holiday since having a child. Yes, she still sleeps with us even though she just turned four. Yes, she takes up too much room in the bed. Yes, she has stolen, forever, all of my heart. I waited so long to celebrate this holiday. I am not going to miss a moment. On this day, I am thinking also of my own mother, my other friends and family who have children. I am wishing this joy upon those women who are still waiting for their turn. May your hearts find this joy, too. Happy Mother's Day, ladies.
Jenny Parker - I have the very unique experience of living with my mom as an adult and raising a child (soon to be two!) in her midst. As a child, she was an amazing mother...she kept us honest and obedient and was strict, but she was loving and kind and so much fun. These last years have been hard on all of us, but she perseveres. Most days, I am grateful to have her around to help with my son, to do my laundry even when I wish she wouldn't (I'll regret that someday). But I am ashamed of myself and constantly full of guilt on the days when I wish she was not around constantly, always watching how I raise my son. I wonder if she thinks I am a good mother, if she thinks my husband and I are doing something wrong, thinking she would do it differently. She brings me to tears when she wraps her arms around me and says, "You are such a good mom Jenny." She drives me crazy, and I love her so dearly. I love how much she adores my son, how she rubs me belly telling my unborn how much she loves him or her already. And him, well, words just cannot describe my feelings for him. He too drives me crazy, and I love him so dearly. All I wanted today was a picture of the three of us. She hates to have her picture taken. I am so happy to have gotten a smile!
MacKenzie Gilliam - Today was mothers day - we started out the day in the clinic, 2 of my children have pink eye.. which means I also have pink eye. My older son also has pneumonia. We finally sat down at home and I found out my bank account has been hacked and they spent way to much money on some organic jam and a trip to Asia. I couldn't have my older son with me tonight because he has pneumonia - which doesn't mix with my younger son's airway disease. It's not fun to choose between babies... at the end of the day, we snuggled while I made dinner. We watched some cartoons and made an evening of it. They made my day all better, and it was such a true representation of motherhood. Sickness, stress, and worry... but it ended in snuggles, love and being happy. Motherhood is so hard, there's a constant battle of rights and wrongs. Pinterest DIY boards, and trying to please everyone. It's hard in today's generation to be a mom! I think in the end tho, we all are ending our night the same way. Cuddling our babies (Maybe still a tad bit stressed) and the pure warmth in our chest. Do you know what that warmth is?? That's motherhood. That's love. That's happiness.Www.facebook.com/MGilliamphotography
