Mother's Day wish

I got a small wish of mine today- a family picture with everyone in it! It's no small feat with the schedules we keep and the number of little people to get posed for a moment, and as you can see, Crew was asleep. But I still got my picture.

I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful bunch of kids and a truly amazing husband too. I love them all more than I show them most of the time. I am happy to be the one that gets to do their laundry, make their meals, brush their hair and teeth and even step on their toys that end up all over our house. I am lucky to know their likes and dislikes and recognize the sounds of their laughter individually and I know their cries too. I feel blessed that, in spite of wanting to never have kids, I ended up with more than a handful. They give love in abundance to me and try to make me happy. They are growing and learning new things every day. I treasure the time I get to spend with them and feel privileged to have them as my own.

Mother's Day is one in which I am happy to call my mom and tell her how much I love her too. She's a gift to me as much as any of my kids. I am lucky on both ends of the "mom spectrum".

I do know however, that this day is a tough one for many women though too. Many of whom I know who would love more than anything to have a child of their own. Many who have lost babies or children, feel that ache and emptiness even moreso on days such as this. I know many people who have lost their moms and that void can never be filled. It is magnified on a day made for celebrating moms. So to all of you who marked this day with smiles or tears, I want you to know you are cared for, prayed for and not alone. Some of us know both sides to Mother's Day. I felt it today too as I imagined just how it would feel to hug Teagan and hear her laugh again. I won't know that for a long time. But I still consider today a special gift.