Thirteen Reasons I LOVE Being a Mom

This week's banner courtesty of Chaotic Mom at Chaotic Home. Thanks a bunch!

It seems to me that all too often we get caught up in the crazies of being mothers. And too often I believe we're thrown off course by those who would have us believe we're "just" mothers. Or that our job as mothers is less cool and important than our other careers. But, I glory in motherhood. What more important thing could I be doing than shaping souls? Here are thirteen reasons I love being a mom.

1. From the moment I saw those two pink lines for the first time, I felt that I was in partnership with the divine -- creating life and clothing sweet spirits sent from above.
2. Through pregnancy and birth I have learned surrender. I have learned to trust my body, to trust God, to trust that all will be well even when things go wrong. And I have learned as much or more from the last year and a half of infertility and miscarriage as I learned from my previous three pregnancies.
3. I adore the moment when I first meet a newborn. The wisdom in those tiny eyes is the most profound thing I have ever known. They come to us knowing so much more than we give them credit for.
4. I laugh every single day of my life.
5. My children teach my daily about wonder, about curiousity and joy. The world is a marvelous place.
6. Let's face it, my children also teach me patience and how to control my temper. They aren't always joyful and marvelous and funny. And I'm not always happy and kind and thrilled with them. I hope I'm getting to the point that the times I'm patient with them outweigh the times I blow up at them. I think I'd be lucky to find myself at 50/50. But, they're teaching me. I'm learning.
7. Watching my children learn is the most rewarding thing I can think of. Scud is learning to read and spell. Mashuga is learning letters and numbers. Kaitybean is taking on the world and frequently comes out of her room at night to tell me about Ancient Egypt or the water cycle or whatever.
8. Through motherhood, I've figured out what I'm made of. I can give birth without the help of drugs. I can make it through a week of almost losing my 6 week old to RSV. I can trust my instincts and get my son the help he needs to learn how to speak correctly and communicate with others. I can FIGHT to help my children get the education they need. There are so many times that I've been forced to face my fears and just do what needs to be done. It's amazing what we learn in those moments, isn't it?
10. I am surrounded by love. Wet, sloppy kisses and velcro hugs and sweet little voices saying, "Mommy, I love you."
11. I get to watch sweet little souls grow from needing my constant attention and reassurance to being the kind of people who love and help and give to others.
12. Squirt gun fights and tickle wars.
13. Feeling my heart grow bigger each day.