Mother's Day Week

This was a tough one since I had a completely different post in mind for this week, but switched mid-way since it is Mother's Day week (as I was told).  On Monday I came home to little girls running up and down the hall, whispered conversations and numerous pinkie promises that I would no go into the kitchen. The girls had created a face on a place made out of salami - too cute.  A Happy Mother's Day sign on the floor made with muffins liners and a few other hand-made specialties.  They announced it was Mother's Day week and I have felt spoiled every day.  So I've been thinking all this week about what a great gig this Motherhood this and also how honored I feel to know so many fabulous Mothers.

As I'm sure I've said before, if I could take a snapshot of myself as a Mother with each of my three kids I could honestly say that I have definitely changed.  Some is just out of sheer necessity.  But most has come from making a hell of a lot of mistakes, watching other Moms, and (although sometimes I hate to admit it) doing what my Mom did.  I did not have a bad childhood by any standards, but there are definitely some things I wish had been different. Don't we all. I can remember thinking 'boy I really love how my Mom does that' and then on the contrary, 'when I have kids I'm never...'.  But when you have kids it's hard not to fall back on what you know, how you were raised.  I honestly think you aren't the Mother you really want to be until the second or third kid.  By then you can slow down and stop and think about what you are doing and saying.  You can add in your own style and beliefs and remove those things you always said you wouldn't do.  Maybe it's just part of getting older and coming into your own.  Who knows.  I just know I like the Mom I am now and a little part of me questions whether or not Gabby and I would be closer if I had started out this way.  Live and learn huh?

I had to laugh yesterday as I sat at one of these Mommy and Me events taking in all the busy Mommy's.  You could spot the newbies and the veterans.  Jess was sitting next to a little girl and when the song called for everyone to shake hands my sweet angel held out her hand and got snubbed by a girl with a nasty little face. And yes I felt like leaning over and telling her that she should watch out or her face may stay that way (yep that's a throw back to my Mom) :)  But I refrained.  Anyways...The Mom's just sat idly by missing a full on teachable moment. Reminded me of how many great things I have learned from Mom's about how I don't want to Mother.  


As I navigate through the day I am so grateful for all the people that have influenced and modeled for me behaviors.  Some good, some bad.  All those people have helped me define the person that I want to be and therefore the Mother that I want to be.  It's really a constantly changing role.  One that needs altering for each child, each situation. So I draw on the past and my childhood. I pull from people in my life. My Mom, who in my mind does it all, with style I might add, inspires me everyday.  My various girlfriends who balance work, volunteering, Motherhood, and leaping tall buildings in a single bound.  My husband who knows how to bring fun to any situation, a love of life that inspires everyone, and who has been known to throw on the Mom's hat and wear it just fine.  And to all those friends that are just so darn loving and wonderful that they make me want to be a better person and to pass that on to my children.  So even though I didn't eat my salami face to celebrate Mother's Day week, I definitely feel loved and I celebrate being a Mom and thank those that made me the Mom I am.