Saturday, May 9, 2015

Four Years

Aaron and I celebrated our fourth anniversary on May 7th.  It happens to also be 3 days before Mother's Day.  The two most treasured titles I will ever hold are that of "Wife" and "Mother".  These are also two of the most difficult titles I have ever held, but definitely the most worthwhile.  

Like I mentioned in my last post, there are many days where I feel like I am failing in so many ways. However, when I am able to  finally submit to the whispering of the spirit, I am able to see how merciful the savior is.  It is only through his atonement that I am able to become who I need to be for my family.

I am so grateful for my incredible husband and the support he shows me daily.   I am grateful for his love and forgiving heart. He is my very best friend.   Thank goodness we don't have many of the same weaknesses.  When things get tough I am reminded of the MANY qualities he has that help me overcome my weaknesses and compliment my strengths.  He is such a talented, strong, loving, and kind man.  He always can get me to laugh and I am so grateful to have him in my life.

Mother's Day is a hard day for me.  I never understood just how hard Mother's Day is for some people until it became hard for me.  Not a day goes by that I don't treasure the time that I had with my mom.  I look forward to the time when I can laugh with her, cry with her, and just see her face again.  Mother's Day can also be hard for those who ache to have children of their own, or who have lost children.  I know so many people who I pray constantly for their desires for parenthood to be fulfilled.

I am SOOO blessed to have so many  incredible women in my life who have shown me how to be a mother.  I am so grateful to my mom (Stephanie) who made the choice to marry my dad knowing she was also suddenly taking on four additional children to care for.  I am grateful for her strength and willingness to love all 10 children unconditionally.  I know I am guilty of not always showing the appreciation she deserves.

I am also grateful for the mothering qualities and gifts I have seen in my own siblings.  I look up to them so much even though they are younger than me and many of them do not yet have kids.

I have many other examples including 8 wonderful grandmothers  and many aunts who I look up to.

I am in awe when I think of the ways that Aaron's mom and sisters have taken me in.  I feel very much at home with them.  I am touched by the way they mother their own children and the many ways that they have nurtured and loved mine.

There is nothing in the world like being a mother and I am so grateful for all of the good times and the hard times of motherhood.  I feel continually tried and continually strengthened.  I am a mother of a very strong spirit. He is so kind and tender-hearted.  There are many times when he senses that someone is having a hard time and he knows just when to give them a hug, or to make them laugh.   What an amazing person he is.

I am so blessed to be a wife and a mother.