Simple Joys: A Whole New Mother's Day

This year Mother's Day has taken on a whole new meaning for me. These last ten weeks with Ellen have given me a whole new appreciation for the moms in my life. I have experienced first hand just a small piece of the sacrifices and selfless love they have given me over the years.

My mom has always been a source of love and a safe haven when I am in need. I have always had the kind of relationship where I can tell my mom anything. I hope that one day Ellen will feel the same way about me. When Ellen was born my mom dropped everything in her life and even took vacation time to come and help my new little family. She spent her vacation changing diapers, feeding me and waking up around the clock. Only my mother could consider that a vacation. :)

Thank you mom from the bottom of my heart for modeling how to be an amazing mother. You have loved me unconditionally for 31 years and counting. You have showed me Gods love through your love and grace. I have so enjoyed becoming a mom and beginning to show Ellen the kind of love you have blessed me with each and everyday. You tell me over and over again that I am an amazing mother and I have come into the role so naturally. I learned it from you my dear mom! I wouldn't know what I was doing without learning it first from you. I love you!

When I met Drew I knew I had met the man I wanted to marry! He was perfect for me in every way and I couldn't imagine he could get any better. Then I met his family and I fell in love all over again. Drew's mom Marcia has been an amazing blessing from God. I hold our relationship so close to my heart. Over the years Marcia has taught me so much about being a mother. Like my mom, she has blessed me with a selfless love that goes beyond words. She inspires and challenges me each day to appreciate the little things in life and to not take one day for granted. She has the softest spirit combined with the strength greater then anyone I know. She has modeled how to love a family in such an amazing way. I will forever be grateful to God for putting Marcia in my life. So many people don't know what to do with their mother-in-law. I don't know what I would do without mine! I love you Marcia!

So on this Mother's Day I am reflecting on all my moms have taught me and all that I have learned in the short ten weeks I've been a mom. It would be easy for me to say that these last ten weeks have been perfect bliss. I could only include pictures where my hair is done and my house is clean but that isn't my real life. The truth is my house and hair are dirtier then they have ever been. I can't remember the last time I have showered for more then three minutes and I know that the milk in the fridge is at least two and half weeks old. However, I also know that my life now has more love then I ever thought humanly possible. I don't care about my personal hygiene, clean house or perfectly prepared meals. In time all those things will return. For now I am drinking coffee out of dirty mugs and wearing clothes way longer then appropriate and LOVING each and every moment!

Here are a few things I've learned from being a mother the last ten weeks.....

I CAN survive on a lot less sleep. However, when I fall asleep it's no longer pretty. I collapse into a sleep I've never experienced. The proof is below.