Outside My Southern Comfort Zone: Resume: MOM

It was one year ago, on Mother's day weekend that I first discovered I was pregnant. A LOT has happened in that year.

I have a completely new respect and appreciation for mom's. Mommin' ain't easy (and I have a good baby)! This work is hard. This work is constant. But thankfully this work is so rewarding. On my drive into work the other day I was thinking about all the positive ways being a mother has changed me. I realized that motherhood is teaching me patience and resilience. Leaving my baby to go to work everyday teaches me to trust in others. It is teaching me to depend on God (I pray a lot more than I ever did before). It is steadily teaching me what love is. It's crazy how much I thought I loved my son on the day he was born... it's nothing compared to how much I love him today... which is nothing compared to how much I will love him tomorrow! It grows infinitely each day and it just keeps growing. It's crazy. And awesome.

I realized that mother's should be able to list "MOM" on their resumes and employers should recognize that automatically means 1) hard worker, 2) kind/loving/caring/compassionate, 3) still works well despite little rest. The list could go on.

I'm not saying Father's aren't also amazing... they'll get their day... and I'm already planning how I could possibly put into words how awesome my husband is... but this weekend is about the mom's.

To my mom: Thank you for your endless love and sacrifice over the years. Thank you for being so selfless. Thank you for the sleepless nights you once put in. Thank you for the tears you wiped away and the kisses you showered on me. Thank you for teaching me to be responsible and independent. Thank you endlessly for giving me solid roots and great big wings (including my "sense of adventure"). Thank you for being the person I know will ALWAYS have my back. Thank you for listening to me through the years. Thank you for tolerating my sass with such patience and grace. Thank you for being an amazing role model. Thank you for showing me unconditional love so I can now show that to my own son.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day! My sweet husband made me a huge breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee) and we lounged most of the morning. We went to church and met up with some friends at the beach! Mike did all the laundry and cooking/cleaning ALL day. All I had to do was play with baby! I also got an awesome, comfy "mama bear" t shirt and some beautiful red roses. But seriously, my boys are so good to me every single day. I am truly blessed.

Well, here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks (mostly from our Mother's day time at the beach)...