Here's to all the MOM'S!

Being a mom is hard...period. It's the hardest job I've ever done...by far. It's the most thankless, stressful, physically and emotionally exhausting job I've ever had. I never feel like I measure up, or that I'm doing a good job. I always feel like I could have done better, said something better or even listened better. I could have been a better friend to my children. I could have tried a little harder. I could and should have been there a little more. I should be more in the moment, for way too soon, they will be grown and gone. There's always a little more I could have done.

(Sadly, this is one of the only pics of my mom that I have. She hates having her pic taken, and so I don't have very many.)

Yet, when I come to think of my own mother, I think she's about as close to perfect as they come. She was ALWAYS there for me. She listened more than anyone, she tried harder than anyone, she was a better friend than anyone. As I'm typing this, I'm crying, thinking of all the amazing things my mother did, that I never quite thanked her for or even noticed. My mother is the most amazing woman I have ever known. I was truly blessed to have her as my mom. You all know her from the store and she is often referred to as the "mom" to everyone there. She takes care of all of us and no one cares more about the store than my mom. She loves her job and I love her for it.

(My beautiful babies)

Yes, being a mom is the hardest job, I've ever had. It's also the most rewarding job I've ever had. There's nothing like a hug at the end of a hard day...or someone saying "you look beautiful mommy" when you feel fat and ugly. Or holding their little hand and looking down to see a beautiful smile looking at you. It's the snuggle at night of them crawling in my bed and reading stories. It's the hug from my 12yr old boy, or him saying he loves me a buttload! It's the homemade "mom coupons" from school and yes, even the macaroni necklace. The little handprints on the mirror and the muddy footprints on my freshly mopped floors. This makes all I do completely worth it. I was born to be a mom and I am so blessed.

So here's to all the mom's! Let's be a little be kinder to ourselves! Let's give us all a little bit more forgiveness. Go and give a MOM a hug! She needs it!