Motherhood: The Job That Never Ends.

Alan and I with both sets of our parents, at our engagement party. 2002

Right at this very moment, the baby is asleep upstairs, and Alan took all of the other boys with him to the store.  I know what they’re doing.  They are picking out my Mother’s Day present.  Isn’t Mother’s Day sort of embarrassing–as a mom, I mean?  So much attention.  Why is attention embarrassing?  I don’t know, but it all makes me feel a little squirmy.  I’m so not good at mushy moments.

But good at them or not, mushy moments are important, extremely important.  I am dedicating this whole week on the blog to mushy moments.  It’s all going to be so embarrassing!!

So let’s get MUSHY!!!  Let’s talk about moms.  It truly is the job that never ends.

You know you’re in for a good, cry-it-out Disney movie, when they start it off by killing off the mom.  OH, the AGONY!!  Why must they do this?

They do that because it’s about the worst possible thing that could happen!  We love our moms because of how much they love us.  We need our moms, and we never, ever grow out of that, or get to a place where we no longer wish they were near. Who else can we call up and just tell what we’re cooking for dinner that night–as if it’s news.  Who else cares when your baby cuts a tooth or there’s something weird going on with your fingernails? Who else will rejoice just as loudly as you rejoice over every little victory in your life? And it really must be mentioned–who spent the first two years of your life wiping your bottom and worrying about the consistency of your poop??  You know it’s true.

Okay, I said who else, but I realize that dads are wonderful too.  We’ll talk about you guys in June. ; )

Right now I am back in a place, yet again, where I literally NEED my mom.  Sometimes we just call her up and tell her to book a plane ticket. With four small children, we need another mom around to kiss little boo-boos and put away laundry.  Laundry.  So unromantic, huh?  But I’m sorry, it needs to be said. Clean laundry is just as important as food in the fridge!

That’s my mom, cooking dinner for us.  She has come and served our crazy family after three different births–all except Daniel. For that one, we were temporarily living at Alan’s parents’ house. And as you can see, she does it with a smile.  Thanks, Mom!!! We could not take care of these four healthy little boys without you!

And it’s not just my mom!  I would be waaaaay remiss to stop there.  We have TWO amazing mommas.  Alan’s mom came and made JD her one job on the weekend that Alan’s grandparents visited.  She taught JD to drink milk from a bottle, and I will never forget it.

Mothers are amazing, aren’t they?  I can’t believe I get to be a momma too.  It’s such a blessing. Of course, you never truly appreciate your momma until you have children of your own.  Then you suddenly get it.  “Ohhhh!  This is why she cares so much!”  The love you have for your children is simply indescribable!

And one day there will come a time when it is our job to take care of our mothers.  No one can stay young forever.  I want you both to know that it will be nothing more than a privilege to look over you as you age. I only hope that we can give back to you even a portion of the wonderful love that you have given to us, our siblings, and our children.

Thank you so much for showing us how to love, loving us when we were at our worst, caring for me after 2 c-sections, praying for Alan through three l-o-n-g overseas deployments, and always being there when we need a break from our own children!!  Ya’ll are the PERFECT military parents and grandparents. Our children look forward to seeing you as though you are lined with candy and Legos. They love you so much, as do we, and we could not be more thankful.

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

my mom, holding Caleb

Alan’s grandmother, holding Caleb

Alan’s mom, making Caleb and Joshua laugh

Alan’s grandmother, meeting Caleb

my mom…..yet more Caleb

my great-grandmother and….Caleb:  Apparently we took a lot of pictures that year.

Oh!  This one’s Daniel and my mom.

Alan’s mom and Daniel.  Now I feel really bad that Joshua’s pictures aren’t digital.  If anyone has any digital baby Joshua pictures to send me, that’d be GREAT!

If the baby has red hair, it’s gotta be Daniel.

teenage April and my mom. 1998

Aunt Janet with Donna and a whole bunch of grandkids and nephews and nieces

My kids are a bit spoiled by their grandparents, but that’s just part of the magic.

Nonna with cousin Wesley

Nana with John David

Look closely. That’s Wesley again, not JD.  This could get confusing!

and of course, me with my crew

me with John David

I’m in this picture too.  Can you find me?

We do love our mommas!  I hope that I will be as big a blessing to my children, even as they become parents with families of their own, as you two have been to us.