Happy Mother's Day!

Although this is my second time being a mother on Mother's Day,

in a lot of ways it feels like the first.

Last year on this day, Greta was just weeks old,

I was popping some serious painkillers,

and moving at a snail's pace after my c-section.

I thought I knew then the strength it took to be a mother

just from enduring the physical hardship of bringing a child into this world.

While I definitely still believe that mothers are physical warriors

(no matter how their babies are birthed),

man, oh man, have I learned so much about the strength of a mother

over the course of this past year. 

I can only imagine that as the years pass,

my respect for motherhood will continue to increase,

as I am sweetly (and not so sweetly) humbled by my role as mother.

Now, please don't get me wrong...

I love motherhood.

I can hardly remember life before.

I love my Greta Grace in ways that I didn't think my heart could love.

She brings me such joy and delight,

and I would nevereverneverever trade being her mama for anything.

But, I say all of this to emphasize the women in my life

who have gracefully and patiently endured the role of mother

for me, and now for my Greta Grace.

My heart is humbled by the gratitude I have for them.

These women are strong.

These women are kind.

These women are forgiving.

These women are loving.

These women are self-sacrificing and generous.

These women are encouraging and helpful.

These women are life-giving and joyful.

These women are fiercely protective and, yet, delight in independence and growth.

These women are my mothers.

For them, I am grateful.

Mama

Happy Mother's Day, Momma Gigi!

Words can not even begin to express the gratitude 

I have welled up in my heart

for my momma right now.
She took 2 weeks off work to be by my side
in the hospital and during my first week home.
She has done it all, from helping me breastfeed to mowing our lawn,
this woman knows no bounds when it comes to serving others.
She has been such a wonderful role model for me to look up to
and I can only hope to follow in her footsteps as a mother myself.

Momma,
I love you.
Thank you for all that you do.
I would absolutely be lost without you.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And on top of celebrating my beautiful mother,
I can not believe this Mother's Day I get to join the mommy club myself.
Greta Grace has already changed my life for the better and
she is without a doubt the most beautiful, amazing, most wonderful thing I have ever laid eyes on.

Baby girl,
I feel like I have known you forever and yet each day I discover more about you.
I am amazingly blessed to call you my child
and I look forward to the many adventures ahead of us.


Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so thankful for the mothers in my life.

These women are my constant encouragement

and the best support system a girl could ask for.

I love you all very, VERY, very much.

Dear Momma,

Thank you for everything you do.

You are a wonderful mother &

I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Beside Alex, you are the only person I can't hide a single thing from.

Thank you for understanding me and loving me always.

You always know what to say and how to guide me in the right direction.

I miss you and wished you live in Louisville.

***************

Dear Mimi,

You are not only the coolest grandma I know, 

{she wears UGGs people},

but you are also the most generous and kind woman I know.

You are slow to judge and quick to forgive.

Also, thanks for passing down that gene of youthfulness --

I might get frustrated when I am mistaken for a student in my classroom

but I know I will love it in the long run.

You are one beautiful grandma.

****************

Dear  Momma Norton,

First of all, thank you for raising such a Godly son.

I am forever grateful that you have raised the love of my life.

{He is truly wonderful & you deserve so much credit.}

Secondly, thank you for welcoming me into your family like one of your own.

You are a wonderful mother-in-law and I love you very much.

***************

Dear Grandma Hank,

You are such a joy in my life!

Thank you for welcoming me into your family as well.

I will never forget the day you told me to call you grandma.

Alex and I were not even engaged yet,

and that made me all giddy inside.

You were one of the first to tell Alex I was a keeper

and I just love a woman with good intuition. ;)