The Best Mothers I Know

I thought in honor of Mother's Day I should write about some of the mother's who have inspired me. I'm pretty new at being a mom. I'm only two and a half years into it and some days when Sophie's hitting me and Max is screaming, I wonder what I've gotten myself into. So I like to think about what someone whom I admire would do. It helps me get through the crazy times to get into the happy part of mothering. When Sophie gives me a big hug and tells me I'm her friend. Or when Max hangs onto my neck when I'm trying to put him down. Or the way they smell after bath when I'm tucking them into bed. Being a mom is a LOT of hard work, but every day my kids remind me how rewarding it is to be their mom. So onto the mom's I admire (in no particular order).

Nicole-a good friend

My friend Nicole found out she was pregnant with her second child around the same time I found out I was pregnant with Max. Except it turns out she was pregnant with twins and it was a high risk situation. I can't explain how much I admired her upbeat attitude throughout her experience. She has such a positive outlook on life and I can tell she's teaching that to her daughters.

Missy-Dave's Mom

Missy has been without question the best mother in law I can imagine. First of all, she raised this wonderful man who I was lucky enough to marry. Then she accepted me into her heart and her family with no reservations (that I could discern =)). She laughs at my stupid jokes, we can talk about books we love, and we could go on endlessly about how great Sophie and Max are. How can I help but love someone who loves my children so completely. She is truly an inspiration. I only hope one day when Max and Sophie get married I can be as wonderful to their spouses.

Melissa- my little sister

I can't believe the little terror who used to bite me like a rabid shark has grown up into this amazing, smart and funny mom. She's the person I call when the kids are screaming and I'm crying because it's all just too much. She can make me laugh at myself and whatever bad behavior Sophie is currently immersed in. She is calm in the face of my crazy and I'm pretty sure if I needed her to she could talk me off a ledge. Not that I would need her to, because she would never let me get that far. She loves without reservation, which is a quality I wish I had in a little more abundance. She is strong and strict (a quality more parents should adopt) and more than anything she loves her kids with every beat of her heart.

Mickey -my Mom

I was by no means an easy child. Actually according to all accounts I was a pretty easy child, it was those nasty teen years that were really hard on me, and my mom. I was mean and ungrateful and she loved me despite of my attempts to push her away. I think the best thing she ever said to me was, " I love you. I don't like you very much right now, but I love you." It made me believe that there was someone out there who would love me no matter what I did, but also made me realize my behavior was pretty sucky. She is kind, generous, unfailingly polite, and can find the best in everyone. She laughs at me and with me. She's a free babysitter and the person who tells me when I'm acting like an idiot. She doesn't referee fights between siblings, but makes us work it out. She taught me how to be a woman and tells me to put on my big girl panties when I'm too whiny. She's my best friend and a darn great mom.

I am so lucky to be surrounded by all these strong and wonderful women. Happy Mother's Day!

Note: This was supposed to be done on Sunday, but let's be honest, I'm consistently running about three days behind right now.