Happy Mother's Day

I am abundantly blessed.

I have 8 awesome living children (our sweet baby Luke and 4 children we never met in heaven) and one beautiful granddaughter, a loving husband and an incredible extended family. 

I thank God every day for these blessings and so many more. 

I do not take for granted the gift of fertility that I have been given. 

When I was young I had two dreams - I either wanted to be a nun or the mother of a large family.

I always assumed I would have eight children, never any less. 

A mom of a large family because that is what I knew - I am one of 10 - and I thought that was wonderful.

A nun because I wanted to be a saint and all saints it seems were nuns! LOL
I know now that there are many mothers who must be saints, because I  know so many incredibly holy mothers who pray and sacrifice daily for their families.

 While I have the utmost respect and gratitude for all the women who give their lives to Christ in a religious order I am grateful that this is the life God has called me to.

I am thankful for dirty dishes - it means we have plenty to eat.
I am thankful for laundry - it means we have plenty to wear.
I am thankful for bathrooms to clean and groceries to put away.
I am thankful for dandelion bouquets and sticky kisses.
I am thankful for babies and toddlers - they grow up too fast.
I am thankful for grade schooler's and the crazy things they do.
I am thankful for teenagers - I know my time with them is so short and they are so interesting!
I am thankful for young adults and the new and wonderful relationship we have.

I know that Mother's Day is a day in which Mom's everywhere know that they are truly blessed!

I am off to thank Mimi - for all of  her unseen and unknown sacrifices she has made for me.
We will be putting flowers on my Mother-in-law's grave today.
Join me won't you and thank the mothers in your life?