Mother's Day...More than Just May 10th...

Mother's Day...I remember Mother's Day so vividly as a child. I always remember that time of year coming around and going to the store to get JuJu a card and something. If you know my mom, she just loves everything...yet, is hard to buy for because she has most of what she "needs." Mom was NEVER one of those moms that had a list of items that she expected to receive or else! She just loved the day and looking back I think that she loved the handmade cards and flower pots from school more than she did just "stuff."
(feel free to correct me if I am wrong JuJu!!)

I have been a mother now for two years. But really, so much longer. I remember my first year teaching when my awesome principal said to me..."Congratulations! Your now a mother to lots of children." So true. I love my students more and more everyday and honestly, I do believe that I might be the best example of a mother to some of them. Children now days carry so much "baggage." They come to school and know way to much for their own good. They know that their Mom can't pay the bills and their Dad is not at home. They know that their brother is in jail and the have no lunch money because they don't have money, period. They know that the stuff of the world is just really stuff because they are covered with love by the people that they do live with. They love their life because it is the best life they have to live. I am a mother to some of those children.

Then Ms. Maggie came along. Have you met her? She is quite possibly one of the coolest kids I know. I know, I know...she is mine and I am totally on her team, but seriously, have you met her? She loves life and that silly little adorable bunny more than anything. I admire her awesome spirit and love for a fresh new day. She loves Mrs. Donna and her friends at daycare so that is the highlight of her day. She loves when she sees my car pull up and can't wait to love on me. She loves when I sing silly songs and just sit with her. She loves it when her daddy gets her out of the bath tub and throws her over his shoulder to "find" her. She loves to reach for Josh during prayer time just to play with the fan strings because he is tall enough to get her up there.

After I had my miscarriage in August of 2006, I remember feeling like I had failed as a Mom, even though it had nothing to do with me. I just wanted to be the best Mommy to the child that was inside of me, but it didn't work out. That sweet child never formed and it wasn't meant to be at the time. When we got pregnant with Maggie, I felt like I was so undeserving of the ability to devote my life to loving a child. I knew that the Lord had placed that child in my life for a strong reason...and boy did He ever!

Last Thursday, my sister, Brea, became a Mommy again. Number 5. Mr. Joshua Tucker was born in Texas and Jonathan and Brea are, as I type, on a plane home with my newest nephew. Some people say I can't believe that your sister has five children...Honestly, I can't either...but have you met her children. They are the best kids and love their parents and life just as much as Maggie. Brea and J are awesome parents and if they want to have a house full, my heart will just grow bigger to love more and more. I can't wait to get my hands on little J.T. He is just beautiful. I am so thrilled for them and for the awesome life that this little man is going to get to experience because they loved him enough.

Moms are such special people. I doesn't really matter how many children you have or if you don't have any, your always special to someone. Like Mrs. Patti that I love so much. She is JuJu's bestie and I love her like mother. Or Mrs. Jamie...Molly Lolly's mom...what a lady. Or Grandmother Barbara...Jonathan's mom...She loves my family just like we are her's when we really aren't even related. And then their is my AWESOME grandmother Norma Jean. O Mercy...get to Greenbrier and meet this lady. She is responsible for my love of Dr. Pepper's and Little Debbies and so much more. She has love for me that I feel everyday. If you ever knew my Granny, LouEllen or LuLu as I loving called her, she was a woman that loved Hallmark, Yankee candles, and Shoney's on my birthday just to make me feel special. There are so many special people within my life that have molded and shaped me into the woman and Mom that I am today. I am so grateful for all of them.

My Mother's Day was so low key and lovely. I loved every minute of it. I asked Josh to do a shoot of us out in our back yard to just have some pictures of the day after church. I love them. I love the love you see in our eyes. I love that my daughter is growing older and going to "chuuurrrcccc" to learn about the Lord and looks like her daddy while doing it. I love that we live in a community were I see lots of those children that I "Mother" at church and they hug and love me and then say they can't believe I had on "real clothes" the next day at school.

I love that I am a Mom. I thank the Lord for that opportunity.