What Motherhood is Teaching Me

As I sit here and write this entry my sweet, little man is playing on the floor with some cars and a race track. Every time he is ready to release the cars to make them go down the track he turns around, looks at me, and waits for me to say, "Ready, set, GO!" and off the cars go down the track! He wants involvement, he wants approval, he wants to feel like I care about whats important to him. He is only 21 months and these things are so important to him. Lesson # 1 - I can be the one cheering him on and encouraging him and as a result I am a first glimpse to him of what Christ is to us. Cheering us on for good! Cheering us on in the race of life. I often look to my Lord for love and approval and I find it every. single. time. So thankful for the opportunity to be that example to my son.

As I sit here I feel the kicks, jabs, and what seem to feel like stabbing pains these days, from a sweet, little girl who will soon be a VERY big part of this world and our lives. If I stop and think about labor I cringe. I have heard of some people that "like" labor. I even know some people who like pregnancy. I am so not one of those women. Labor? No thank you. Pregnancy? Not a fan. So what made me do it again (and even a little faster than some)? Well, it's the after result. I am totally and completely willing to endure the pain and discomfort because of my indescribable love for the little person growing inside of me. Lesson # 2 - Oh the love of my Heavenly Father! He knowingly (totally aware of the pain he would go through!) went to the cross for me so that he would have the opportunity to have relationship with me! That's a seriously wonderful thought!

Granted, I have also learned things like:

- The "Mom look" totally works.
- Just because someones kid looses it in public doesn't make them a bad parent. (Oh, you just wait you non-parent people...)
- I can go longer than I thought without washing my hair. *thank you dry shampoo!*
- Baby gates and child locks are a genius design.
- I may never be able to go a day in my life again without getting drool, spit-up, poop, food, or some other product like these (that didn't come out of my body) on me again.
- I don't need as much sleep.... as I thought.
- T.V. is a luxury...

Really, the list of things I have learned could go on and on. But the thing is, all of those "little" lessons can't compare to the lessons motherhood has taught me about my Heavenly Father. What a wonderful gift to be able to have children and love them. It daily gives me a small glimpse of the Fathers love for me.