Motherhood is. . .

. . .sitting on the soccer field getting sunburned while cheering on your favorite soccer player.

. . .being able to tell when your child is being dramatic and not really as sick as he says he is. . . noticing little clues like when he thinks you're not looking you see him getting cheese off his shirt that he spilled. . . for having "mama-dar" on knowing his stomach doesn't hurt like he is making it out.

. . . knowing when your children have been pushed to the extreme with activity. . . praying for extra grace for the day because you know tempers are going to be short and emotions are going to be high.

. . . knowing your children are not perfect and not letting them be deceived into thinking they are.

. . . sitting up WAY past your bedtime when you've helped your parents move all weekend to play a DS game with your child who said, "Mama, will you please just come and lay down with me for 5 minutes, in my room, just me and you?"

. . . letting your child sleep in your bed, who is woken up from a long car ride home at 11:30 at night. . . your bed was the one she plopped her tired little body on. . . all the while knowing that you will probably be kicked all night long.

. . . every once in a while buying white bread, the "non-natural" with the oil separated from the top, peanut butter, and jelly (rather than honey), and boxed macaroni and cheese. . . so their taste buds can have fun.

. . . not interfering in their daily squabbles. . . letting them work things out on their own.

. . . knowing when to start letting go . . .like letting your son walk around with his friends at the soccer field. . . because you know they are good boys. . . and he needs a chance to spread his wings a little bit.

. . . when you form a tunnel with the other soccer parents for the players to run through and when your daughter sees you standing there, she hugs onto you tight rather than running through the tunnel having everyone cheer her on. She missed you because she spent the night away with a friend the night before.

. . . talking nonstop to keep you and your hubby awake on a long car ride home, after being totally exhausted from a full day. . .

. . . not freaking out when your friend let your child have coffee that morning for breakfast (just kidding Suzanne).

. . . taking your kids on bike rides throughout your neighborhood.

. . . teaching your children that we are a family, and we all contribute to the workings of the household. . . giving them chores. When they don't do them correctly, showing them the right way and making them do it until it is right.

. . . praying with your children before going to bed, kissing them goodnight, kissing them goodnight again before you get into the bed, checking on all 3 of them in the wee hours of the early morning.

. . . not freaking out when your husband and his friend take their boys on a canoeing/fishing trip down the Flint River and being told the men are going to be in one canoe and the boys will be in the other canoe. . . well, I slightly freaked out. . . but being okay with your husband's decision.

. . . apologizing for ALL of my mistakes and imperfections. . . apologizing and asking their forgiveness when I've wronged them.

. . . letting friends come over and play or spend the night on a whim. . . realizing not everything has to be "planned out".

. . . going to help your child when he is frustrated or in pain . . . knowing he will be ugly to you because that is just how he responds at this point in his journey of life. . . forgiving him when he comes to you after he has calmed down and apologizes.

. . . setting boundaries and teaching my children life is not all about them.

. . . taking time for myself whether that is reading a book, running, or having a Bible study here in my home.

. . . knowing your children so well you can read their "clues". . . when the oldest is full of anger/tears/emotions/exaggeration then normally their is a deeper issue that needs addressing and he needs your full, undivided attention AWAY from his sisters, when the middle is yapping like a little puppy . . . she needs some cuddle time AWAY from her siblings, when the little one goes to places of solitude to hide then you're going to have to take LOTS of time to talk to her, to draw things out of her because she's very nonverbal with her feelings.

. . . hugging your children even when their body language says "get away from me".

. . . knowing that if you speak with gentleness and softness in your tone, then things run so much smoother in your family.

. . . teaching your children to love one another, hoping and praying that one day they will all be the best of friends.

. . . leaning on other moms who won't judge or criticize you. . . and you not do the same as well.

. . . encouraging your children to try new things even if there is some fear and trepidation with both of you.

. . . praying with your children, praying for your children, asking them to pray.

. . . being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

. . . reminding your hubby that the boy is tired and he will probably need extra patience today.

. . . always, always, always letting your children know you are on their side even if you don't agree with what they are doing.

. . . loving your children enough to tell them when they are wrong.

. . . loving your children enough to not make excuses for them and to not allow them to make excuses for themselves.

. . . in every and all situations, whether full of pain or full of joy, pointing them to the cross.

. . . reminding them that their gifts and abilities are things that God has given them, so they have no right to brag or boast.

. . . letting your children see you praying and in the Word.

. . . not getting into a rut of thinking you're the best mom ever or the worst mom ever, but knowing that you daily need God's grace in your life to get through the best, yet hardest calling of this life called motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!