Mamahood-a messy blessing

  Every once in a while I will run into people that I knew from my coaching/teaching life and their first question is to ask if I miss teaching. My response is always the same. Yes, I miss parts of it, with the largest part being the relationships that were built with the students and athletes that I taught or coached. The next question that usually ensues is to ask if will I ever go back to teaching and coaching. At this juncture, I honestly don't think that I will ever go back to the type of role that I inhabited, however, while in a different capacity, I do teach everyday. I decided when becoming pregnant with Hunter that if I was going to raise someone's child that I wanted to spend all of my time and energy raising and teaching my own. As any momma knows, the hours are long, but the rewards granted by these little people that God has blessed us with, are infinite.

  Being a mom is the hardest and most rewarding job that I have ever had.  Before children, people often envision motherhood as this beautiful picture of a mother skipping through a field of flowers with her children as everyone looks on and smiles. This is a nice thought in a Pinterest world,  but it is rarely the case. Trust me, I have no quams about Pinterest. I actually must confess that I love Pinterest and am ashamed to admit the number of pins that are pinned on my account. I love searching for new ideas to fuel my creative juices, while being able to complete a mindless activity. Admit it, every once in a while you have to do something like that to give your mind a rest. While I love the ideas, recipes, and being able to save things for my future perusal, I realize that it has created this Pinterest induced society. An idyllic and perfectionistic way of what life and sometimes motherhood should be. The bar has dramatically been raised for weddings, birthday parties, and showers. It is a wonder we were able to plan anything before Pinterest! The reality is that my ideal home, party, makeover, and wardrobe are what I make it, and realistically, mamahood is a messy business. I hope I appear like an duck gliding across water, while I am paddling furiously beneath, but know that I most likely appear disheveled most of the time and I'm okay with that. Case in point, yesterday I had one of those "bless her heart" moments. Hunter and I attended my cousin's wedding along with a number of my family members. A beautiful outdoor wedding for a wonderful couple. As the bride walked down the aisle, Hunter started screaming. All I am thinking is where do I take a screaming child in an outdoor wedding?! I finally managed to calm him down. At the reception, I walked to the table holding Hunter in my left arm and my plate in the other. I managed to put the plate on the table and hang the diaper bag on the chair. As I tried to sit down, with Hunter still in tow mind you, I didn't realize that the diaper bag and weighed down the chair and it had fallen backwards. Onto the floor I went in the middle of the reception. I know, "Bless My Heart". Hunter was fine, but screaming, because the fall scared him. I hope that I didn't flash anyone and if I did, I sincerely apologize if I scarred your vision. Years ago, I may have been mortified, but yesterday, I was more concerned about calming Hunter. 

  Life is what you make of it. I have come to the conclusion that my life will be marked by finger prints on the door frames, laundry that never gets put away, fruit snacks that Hunter has carefully left in James' shoes, and a chewed up piece of orange that little man decided to leave in my hand when he decided he had had enough. It is also hugs, the sweet little way that he says "Mama", being the one to comfort him when he is upset, and being able to be excited with him when he gets excited or learns something new. It is a beautiful mess for which I forever be grateful. 

  At about 2:30 a.m. this morning, I couldn't sleep. I began watching a movie and working on the computer. Hunter was curled up next to me in bed along side both dogs. It seemed like it took forever for him to fall asleep last night as I kept begging him to please lay down and go to sleep. Yes, I did let him sleep with me and the dogs while Daddy was away for work. Yes, I know he is spoiled. However, I will never get enough of watching him sleep. He is so peaceful and handsome. If he hadn't have been sleeping next to me, I also wouldn't have gotten the best Mother's Day gift that I could have asked for. At about 4:00 a.m., still awake mind you, he starts to stir, curls up onto my chest and places his head under my chin. I will never get tired of those sweet moments.

  On this Mother's Day, I am thankful for my sweet boy that makes me laugh, cry, makes me want to pull my hair out, and smile all at the same time. I am also so grateful for my own sweet mama and thankful that God decided to placed Cara and I into her care so many years ago. She taught us how to embrace hard work, to be humble, patient, respectful, kind, and appreciative. She is the best example of motherhood and of God's unconditional love that a daughter could ask for. I hope and pray that I can be even half the momma to Hunter that she has been to us. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my family, extended family, and to all the Mamas that have touched my life at some point. May God bless you today and always. 

Love to you all!

-Dana