Mother's Day

To all of the wonderful mothers and future mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day! Mothers are so important in all of our lives and on this day in particular it makes me really appreciate my mother and the sacrifices she made for my family. My mother is amazing, she does so much in so little time I don't know how she does it! My mother was always so willing to take on the big projects that nobody else wanted and she was always busy. I watched her work one day and she went from the topic of planning girls camp to planning grad night in as much time as it takes to close a book. I don't understand how she does it but I know that I hope that I can get at least some small portion of her amazing skills! My Mother can do anything, that includes round off back handspring back tucks and running half marathons. She has a wonderful ability to become friends with anyone she meets and talk to them as if she has known them for years. All in all, my mother is wonderful and I love her so much!

This year is the first year that being a mother is actually tangible. Last year I newly married and having a baby was on hold for a while; this year I am 5 months pregnant with my little boy due in just 4 short uncomfortable months. Mothers play such a huge role in a child's life that I sometimes (always) stew over (worry, agonize, distress) over whether or not I will be a good mother. I worry about the roles I need to take on and I wonder what I need to do. The best description of a mothers role that I have found can be found in The Family; A Proclamation to the World. I love the way that mothers are described and "Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children". This may seem out dated and short but I can't think of a more important job than being a nurturer to your child and in my opinion that is the greatest calling that we as women we can ever be given. At times it may seem daunting and difficult but I know that if I put my family first, turn to the Lord at all times, and teach my children the importance of being their best version and teaching them of their Savior then I will be able to be a good mother. I know it is going to be tough ( I have heard it from every woman I have ever talked to while pregnant) but I know that if I do these things and put them before myself then my children just might turn out all right. 

To Liam, Love Mom

To my baby Liam,
I am so excited to meet you! And even though for the first three months I spent more time over a toilet bowl then anything else and now you insist on curling up on top of my bladder, sending me to the bathroom every hour, I still love you and I cannot wait until you get here!

I don't know if it's because you're my first baby or if this is normal but I can't help but worry about the world that you are coming into. I'm sure you would be so embarrassed if you saw the things I cry over and worry about, but I look around and things have changed so much in the past three years since I graduated high school that I can't even imagine what life will be like when you start school. Family value is diminishing and I worry about the things you will see and that you will see your friends go through and it breaks my heart. I know I can't protect you from everything but if there is anything that I could arm you with before you go into the world it would be the knowledge of the importance of families and the importance of building a strong relationship with your Heavenly Father and your family here on earth. I know that we aren't perfect in any way and I am sure that there will be times where all you will want to do is hide because lets face it, your dad and I can be pretty embarrassing in public, but I hope that we can teach you and prepare you to be strong in your values.

Liam I want you to know you are loved and I promise you that we will do our very best in teaching you and I will take all the time I can to teach you and spend time with you to help prepare you. I also promise that I will get out of the car in my pajamas, with no makeup, and curlers (which I will wear only to take you to school) and yell to you how much I love you. Just think only 18 years then you can leave us to go on a mission and serve the Lord.
See you in 4 months:)
Love,
Mom