Day 2: I am Thankful to be a Mother

Yesterday I said how being married is pretty easy, well being a mother is far from easy. It's actually the hardest thing I've ever done, partly because you never get a break. It's a 24/7 job. Although it's hard I am so thankful to be a mother. Some women don't get this opportunity and it makes me sad, especially when I take it for granted. I've got four wonderful children that I absolutely adore. They are all so completely different, making life very interesting, challenging and rewarding all at the same time. It's fun seeing how they have some traits from both Neil and I. Personality wise Conner is so much like me and Sam is so much like Neil. I'm not so sure about Mikey and Lucy yet. Conner is our thinker. He is such a kind boy and is always thinking of his siblings. If he gets a treat at school or church he usually shares with them without anyone asking. By nature he's always been very obedient, honest and sensitive. He's a wonderful example to all. He's starting to think his mom is not so cool and I often find him rolling his eyes at my silly antics. Sam is just a fun kid and has a little emotional and dramatic side to him. Sam enjoys being the center of attention and making others laugh. He is our love bug and loves to snuggle with me in the morning or anytime of day. Sam is very protective of Lucy and takes care of her. He is also really loves to eat, especially vegetables. He is very cautious and thinks things through. Mikey loves to play. Adults and kids alike are just drawn to him. He is quite the charmer. Wherever he is he always finds a playmate. Mikey loves to help me cook and can be found stirring dinner on the stove almost every night. He is very independent and demands to do everything by himself, even if the feat is impossible. He will die trying it seems. I fear Mikey suffers from the third child syndrome where he feels like he never gets enough attention. He is the most challenging child right now and I find myself on my knees more on more asking for patience and forgiveness. If it wasn't for his deep brown eyes he'd be in a lot more trouble. Lucy rivals Mikey for most challenging child right now. She is picking up some bad habits from her brother such as hitting and screaming. She is every one's little princess though and because of that title she basically gets whatever she wants. She's definitely spoiled. She is so girly at times and other times she's building lego ships with her brothers and flying them all around the room complete with sound effects. It's so nice to have another girl in the house. She is just naturally sweet and cute and loves to gives her brothers hugs. She is the busiest child of them all. She never sits still for long making sacrament meeting unbearable most of the time. I love all my children dearly and just love being able to stay home with them and teach them and watch as they learn about and question the world around them. Although it is challenging most days there are always those tender moments each day such as a note or snuggles, kisses, jokes or thank you's that make it so worth it. I hate watching them get bigger and bigger and knowing each year brings them closer to leaving me. I have such a short time with them and I want to make the most of it. I wish I could stop time. They're are so fun right now and they still think I'm pretty awesome. I never knew I could love someone so much as I do my children. I know that I am meant to be their mom and that I have been blessed with the talents and skills to raise and nurture them properly. I am thankful for the possibility to be a forever family and to continue watching them grow throughout eternity.