Motherly

This picture is an oldie, but a goodie.

I am celebrating womanhood today. 

Maybe it's because I am pregnant, but I felt extra lovey and womanly and domestic today and I loved it.

Today wasn't about avoiding chores and housework.
Today, I didn't skip cooking or doing dishes. 

Today, I didn't escape to a spa.

Today, I didn't steal away to a quiet, empty room with a good book.

Now, before I get flame, just know that I don't say that to slam women who did enjoy those things, today. Mothers work dang hard, every minute of every day and I totally appreciate that many of us are given a break from our never ending responsibilities as a gift from loved ones to show their appreciation for all that we do.  Totally deserved.
Today was perfect.
Today, I celebrated my mother, her mother, my husband's mother, mother Eve, sisters, aunties, grandmothers, teachers, friends, and every woman who has ever been a "mother" to me or to my children. I am so grateful for the examples they have given me.  Being a woman isn't easy and I admire the ladies in my life who do it so well.

Today, I enjoyed womanhood, sisterhood, and motherhood.

Today, I did cook and clean. I did pick a booger (no! not mine!), change a diaper, and read stories.

Today, I cleaned up the aftermath of a shower collision between the girls and the shower drain cover that came loose, tripped both of them and resulted in a lot of screaming, several sliced toes and fingers, and a trail of tears and bloody footprints that led from the bathroom all the way down the hall to the kitchen. 

Today I did laundry (not common for a sunday, but bloody towels and bathroom rugs do not wait), scrubbed carpet spots, and kissed boo-boos. 

Today, I went through almost an entire box of band aids. In one day.

Today, I calmed a tantrum and assigned 2 "time outs".

Today, I was appreciated and given 1,000 hugs and kisses and "I love you's"...and a few "I'm sorry's".

Today, the car was cleaned out by the girls and I got an adorable scribbly card from a barefoot Corbin.  

Today, I slept in and was brought Sunday waffles in bed.
Today, I helped my daughter overcome a fear.
Today, Aaron thanked me for mothering our children.
Today, I read scriptures and prayed with the children.

Today, I felt the Spirit when I heard my daughter singing the sacrament hymn as loud as she could, the very best that she could while following the words in the hymn book with her finger.

Today, I wore the mother's day necklace that my girls picked out and gave me 3 years ago.
Today, Corbin sang Happy Birthday to me several times.
Today, I felt strength as I hugged a friend who's husband died this morning.
Today, I ate popsicles and played in the backyard after dinner with my family.

Today, I am a queen. I was raised by a queen, and because I am a queen I wore a paper crown given to me by two little queens that I get the luxury of raising. 

Today, I called my mother, told her I love her, and thanked her for mothering me.
Today was like many other sundays in many ways. 
Today wasn't perfect, but it was perfect, because:

Today, I got to be a mother and do motherly things.

I love my family.
I love being a woman.
I love the women I came from.
I really love being a mother.