Motherhood: My whole heart for my whole life!

" Motherhood is a choice you make everyday to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own. To teach the hardest lessons. To do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is... and to forgive yourself over and over again for doing everything wrong." -Donna Ball

My good friend Natalie left this quote in a cute little picture frame on my desk and I think I have read it 100 times over. There are times as mother's when we feel overwhelmed with the things life throws our way. I know for me I have very little patience (it's something I have to work on daily). I need to be better about letting the little things go. Love and enjoy my kids making loud noises and if they spill something on the floor, have them help me clean it up instead of getting mad about it. I will miss these things one day. Motherhood is a very interesting thing, that comes with no instructions and is a take the challenges as they come, learn, and have fun on the ride kind of DEAL!

Ten years ago I became a mom, although I knew that my little boy was not mine, I still felt the overwhelming feeling of motherhood. I loved that little boy so much that my calling as his mom was more than I could ever have imagined or planned for myself. If you would have asked me at the beginning of my pregnancy if I had looked into adoption, I would have said "heck no," but as I matured through the experience I soon realized there was someone else being prepped for the calling of mom and I was going to be his Birth-mom for the rest of his life. He was going to have a beautiful mom to teach him and love him, there is not a day that goes by I don't think of my sweet, sweet boy who first made me a mom, and there is not a day that goes by that I am grateful his mom was ready with open arms to love him with all her heart. E, I will forever be grateful for you, I will always love and respect you! You are the best mom I could ever imagine for little man! Thank you for blessing my life in ways I can't even express! Thank you for loving the boy who made you a mom! I love you times a million!

"He is mine in a way he will never be hers, yet he is hers in a way he will never be mine, and so together we are motherhood."

Six years ago I was blessed with the most amazing little boy. The boy who I would get to keep as my own and I would become a Mom. Ryker has been the greatest joy in my life. there is not a day that goes by that I am not so grateful for him and his loving heart. He definitely tests my patience more often than not, but he is such a loving, sensitive boy and I love it so much. I am beyond thankful the Lord trusted me to be his mom, to love and care for him and always be there for him no matter what. When we first found out what we were having, Ryker's name was Bristol, I was so disappointed that I was going to have a little girl. I am the oldest of 6 girls and I did not want another girl. (although I would have loved him if he was a girl also) A few weeks later we were told it was a false alarm and he was indeed a BOY! I was so EXCITED. I wanted boys. I always thought boys would be easier than girls, I'm pretty simple, and I knew with boys, they would be the same way. Ha-ha, boy was I wrong. Although they are pretty simple (as far as getting dressed, playing, eating, etc....) they are not at all easier. I was blessed with two very emotional, sensitive, loving, dramatic, love all things that go fast, all boy, Boys! They definitely keep life interesting! When we found out we were having another boy, everybody was so happy. Ryker would have a little playmate and all would be good. The bond those two boys have is more than any mom could ever imagine for their little boys. They love to wrestle and play guns, put Legos together and chase each other around the house. Ryker is so thoughtful and always has the best interest of his brother in mind, (even when his dad takes him to the store to buy a scooter for him for his birthday, "but dad, we need to buy Emerson one too") How do you even argue with that!? Being a mom has literally been the best blessing in the world. I am so grateful I get to be their mom.

"Motherhood is messy, challenging, crazy, sleepless, giving, and still unbelievably BEAUTIFUL."

Being a mom would not have been possible without the love and support of my two moms. A few years ago I saw that a friend had posted about being a "bonus mom", I thought that was so cool she was not referring to herself as a step mom. I then realized that the mom I always called my step mom, was way more than that. She was definitely a bonus mom! I always admired that my mom could allow another person step in and be like a mom. I love my mom so much and nobody will ever take her place as my "MOM!" Not very many people are so lucky to have TWO very sweet moms.

Both moms have taught me to work hard, never give up, and always put your best foot forward. Both have taught me very different things as well. My mom has taught me the importance of exploring nature and the world. Travel and always make memories. The best memories I have with my mom are traveling through the US, Mexico and Thailand. I seriously, no doubt have started my boys at a young age to love traveling. If there is such a thing as a professional traveler, please sign me up! She has taught me the importance of Service and the importance of the gospel. She has taught me how to have AMAZING parties and always have more than you need! She has taught me how to manage money and how to live life to the fullest. I am literally so grateful for her example, love and support. Thank you MOM, for being the very best mom! I love you!

My "Bonus" mom has taught me to play the piano (although I never stayed with it after I was given a choice), she taught me to cook (or bake as Craig will say)! She taught me how to sew. She taught me the importance of church and the gospel. She also taught me about service and the importance of it. Thank you Care, for putting up with me and all the challenges you faced while I was growing up! Glad we can look back and laugh at some of them now! I love you!

Both moms, in their own way have been extremely powerful examples of Motherhood. I could literally talk about each of them all day!

I hope that each of you can take time out of your day to thank your moms, love them, spend some time with them and let them know how important they are to you!

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in, It is what GOD gave you time for." - Neil L. Anderson

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you beautiful moms out there!

With Love,

Chelsea