Being Mama

I love my little family! I have been thinking a lot about family lately and how blessed I am to be a mama.  I have dreamed of being a mommy all my life, ever since I was little.  I know why, too.  I had the best example of a mother.  She made it look beautiful and wonderful.  I always watched my mom and looked up to her.  She is the reason I always wanted to be a mommy.

My mom was a good example of love, service, kindness, patience, gentleness and I could go on and on.  She was a good homemaker. I loved watching her sew, cook and bake.  There was just something about the way she did things that made me want that when I grew up.  Anyone who asked what I wanted to be when I grew up would get the answer, "A mommy" (aside from the time I wanted so badly to be a "jeeter" a.k.a. a cashier....I was a weird kid, okay? :P)

I loved to help her bake.  We would make cookies and watch them bake and she would read me books while we waited for the cookies to bake.  This made a beautiful impression on me.  It is something that always sticks out in my mind when I think of memories with my mama.  It was special to me.  It was time with just me and my mom.

I don't think I can ever recall a time when I heard her yell.  I am sure she raised her voice at times, but what I remember of her was she was calm and patient and most of all soft spoken and gentle. (She still is).  I want to be like that.

What will my kids remember of me when they look back on their childhood?  I would hope they would have the same memories of me as I have of my mom.

Boy do I try!! I try so hard to be patient and loving and most of all gentle.  No one responds well to yelling. No one.  Kids especially.  I try to always get down to Lilli's level and speak to her calmly and gently.  I most certainly get frustrated and often speak louder than I should and snap at silly things, but I am sure trying not to.

I thank my loving Heavenly Father for blessing me with a wonderful example as a mother!  She has taught me so much and continues to.  I am also very grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing my to be a mom.  There was a time I truly felt as though marriage wasn't in the cards for me, let alone motherhood.  I thought that the only "mothering" I would do would be to my nieces and nephews and  the children of others.  He just knew I needed to wait for my very special husband who is absolutely right for me!  He is special and perfect for me and I love him with all my heart.  And what I am especially grateful for is that he made me a mama.

I couldn't be more grateful for the two sweet kids I have.  Aside from each other, they are mine and Casey's whole world.  They are so special and we both feel so incredibly blessed to call them ours.  More will come one day, and we will have that much more joy.  I pray every day that Heavenly Father will truly bless me with the attributes my kids need from me and most of all, for patience and love and a gentle, soft-spoken demeanor like my sweet mama.  That is what will stay with them most.