Mother's Day

I had every intention of posting this on Sunday. In fact, I had every intention of actually sending my mom her Mother's Day card on time this year. But alas, when Sunday afternoon rolled around, there sat the card, at the bottom of a pile of papers I was filing. I don't know where my brain has been lately. Oh, I remember now -- it's been turned to mush by the myriad details surrounding our impending survey trip. My "to do" list is about a mile long and I add items to it every day, so it is looking very doubtful that I will get everything done before we leave. Anyone want to come clean my house?

Well, I had a very nice Mother's Day again this year. I am so grateful that my husband is not one of those clods (I know they are out there) that think they don't need to do anything for their wives on Mother's Day. He has made it a very special day for me in the three years since I became a mom. This year, we celebrated a day early since Rusty had to work on Sunday. It was a nice way to beat the crowds. We had some yummy Mexican food followed by sundaes at Baskin Robbins. He and Alex gave me sweet cards as well as the special edition DVD of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (the first movie we went to see after Alex was born).

Someone forwarded me the following poem several months ago, and I thought it would be the perfect thing to share on Mother's Day. My life has certainly changed a great deal since I became a mom, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is, without a doubt, the best job in the world!

Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom

I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing.

I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom

I slept as late as I wanted

And never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on

Pooped on

Spit on

Chewed on

Peed on

Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a Mom

I had complete control of my mind

My thoughts

My body

And I slept all night and got plenty of rest.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child

So that doctors could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

When I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew what love at first sight really meant.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth

The joy

The love

The heartache

The wonderment.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much

Before I was a Mom.

Happy Belated Mother's Day!