This Mothers Day I have gone grocery shopping, cleaned house, spanked butts and watched my kids eat cereal off of the floor. I've also been covered in kisses, been hugged so tight it hurts and been surrounded by giggles and squeals of joy.
I love my boys more than any other kind of love that I've known. They've also made me lose my cool more than I ever thought possible. I struggle every day with my patience and I feel like a failure every day. I never thought I'd be doing this alone. I never thought parenting would be so hard. But I love it. No matter how frustrated I get and how many tears they shed, the love and laughter outweigh it.
I heard a father say once that he's prayed for his future daughter-in-laws since his sons were born. It has really stuck with me and I do the same. I hope to raise my sons with manners, love, respect and confidence. This is why we have so many frustrating days. What may seem like constant correction on my end is me trying teach them early on what is important. Some days I'm lazy. Some things I let slide. But my ultimate goal is for them to know that they are loved more than anything else in the world and to raise them in a way that they will use those manners, love, respect and confidence to find someone to start a family with so that they can feel this same kind of love that I have for them.
Right now they are too young to "celebrate" Mothers Day with me. I don't get breakfast in bed or flowers or jewelry. But I do get to be their momma and that is the best gift I've ever had.