Happy Mother's Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the mamas out there.

It is my first Mother's Day, and I just wanted to write a little bit about how it feels. Here goes. 

As the hubby and I were walking strolling our little one today, I said to him, "I love Mother's Day. I just feel so honored." Every store that we walked by had some sort of promotion or sale for moms/women, and I felt so recognized. 

Recognition. It's something that I highly value (though I hate to admit it), but it's something that I (or any other mother) rarely get. I stay home with my son all day every day. I live very, very far away from my family (the ready and willing type of babysitters), so my Boo Boo literally goes everywhere with me. (This is not a post to complain about my lot in life. I desire with every fiber of my being to be a stay-at-home mama.) John is my 9 to 9 to 9 again job. Very seldom do I hear words like this: "Ashley, you're a great mom. You're doing a great job with John." And that's okay. His smiles/laughter/accomplishments are affirmation enough. BUT it is really nice to see signs everywhere wishing me (and every other mother) a happy Mother's Day. 

I was thinking that since I appreciated some company that doesn't even know me bid me a happy mom's day so much that many of my friends and family would appreciate some words of affirmation and encouragement in your mom journeys. So, friends (near and far, young and not-so-young) who have experienced what it means to be someone's Mama, Happy Mother's Day from me to you. I salute you because I now know that mothering is no easy task (from the positive pregnancy test til death do you part) and I know that you are giving your all on a daily basis in a pretty thankless job. 

I also want to honor some specific people in this post. People who have been a mother to me or have made me a better mother. Let's start with ... who else? ... my mom. 

Mama, I want to say thank you for faithfully carrying me in your tummy for 9 months (+ 1 week, but who's counting?). Thank you for spending 18 hours in agonizing back labor for me. Thank you for breastfeeding me (and giving me the very best) for nearly two years. I view you as super-mom. Watching you with Mason and John Ashley is such a sight to see. You never lose your patience with them, and you are so devoted to giving them the very best. This mirrors the way that you took care of me and Cal at that age, I am sure (though I don't remember it). I know that the security that I have always felt with you can only be rooted in the way that you loved me when I was young. Thank you. 

Thank you also for your patience with me as my homework increased. I know that it was difficult for you sometimes to get me to sit down and "just do it." :) Your encouragement during those elementary years is the reason why I am a good student. 

Thank you for giving so much of yourself when Daddy left. Thank you for going back to work and working so diligently for me and Cal that we could have our needs (and wants) taken care of. Thank you for taking such good care of me when I was sick. Those were not easy times for either of us. You endured hardship like a champ, and with much prayer, and a quiet trust in God that I respect so much about you. 

Thank you for believing (always believing) that the pieces of me could be put back together when I was falling apart. And THANK GOD that I am no longer a teenager. :)

Thank you for your advice and example now that Cal and I have transitioned into motherhood. It has been an easier transition because of you. We adore you, Momby. So much of who you are is ingrained in us, and I am proud of the pieces of you that I have in me. I love you.

Secondly, Cal. 

Little Liz, you rock as a mom! I was unsure about how Mase would fare given some of the things you told me about your future children when you were a child. :) BUT you have delivered. There are so many young moms who grow up for a season and then decide, "No, I think I'd like to be a kid again." Not you. You have given Mason your best since day one. I think that one reason you're such a great mom is because you are such a kid at heart and so much fun to be around. You play with Mason and really spend time with him doing the things that he thinks are fun. I cannot wait to meet Hudson and see his little personality. But mostly, I cannot wait to see you with Hudson and admire you mothering another very blessed little boy. 

Oh yeah, you're a pretty good sister too. I adore you.

Aunt Lisa, thanks for being like a mom to me. You have always been such a safe place for me, and you have always made me feel like I am enough for you. Just being me. You are the best aunt in the world, and I love you with all of my heart. 

Gram, I know that you might not ever read this, but the World Wide Web should know how great you are. 

No words. 

She's only the best grandma ever. 

She lost a child. Her firstborn. A baby girl by the name of Connie. She was only four years old. Can you imagine? She says that Stevie (second-born, four-month-old, my wonderful uncle) kept her going. (I think she would have made it regardless. She's the strongest woman I know.) I really think that her loss made her more, something insane. Like beast mode mom. I don't know anyone like her. She is our mama bear. She fights/struggles/gives so sacrificially for her own. Count yourself lucky if you are hers. 

Katherine Peer, thank you for inviting all of us young girls into your life and being a spiritual mother to us. Deb, Isaac, and Sam are so blessed to have a mother like you (so committed to training them up in the truth). I love you and miss you dearly.

Alexis Burke, I am proud of you. Happy first Mother's Day!

Grandma Wendy Turner, where would I be without your influence in me life? I am afraid to answer that question. You are such a great example of a mad woman unashamedly following Jesus. You are investing your mother's heart in so many. On their behalf and my own, thank you.

Paige Smith, thanks for your example of including your children in what you're doing for the King. Your girls have such a great mom.

Hannah Nowill, someday, you are going to be the bomb mom. :) I love you!

Mrs. Debby, thanks for my husband. You did the best job imaginable raising him. :)

Katie Springer, I love reading your facebook posts about your girls. I love watching them grow. I love how carefully you consider your decisions with disciplining them. You're doing a great job.

Rose Chao, thank you so much for your example. And for telling me that it's okay to attachment parent. I love me co-sleeping, breastfeeding, worn-around boy. :) Seriously, I think you are a fantabulous mom. Your days are all about laying down your life for those kiddos. The gospel lived out before their very eyes. Rock on!

Tiffany Taylor, God chose you to parent an awesome little boy. I can only imagine the challenges you face daily. You are a wonderful mama; I am sure of it. Happy Mother's Day!

MalPal! Keep rocking the sleeplessness. I love you, and I think you're a great mama. 

Jenn Menn, Jenn Menn, Jenn Menn, I aspire to be the kind of mother you are to your kids to my own flesh and blood. You are so giving. You are so diligent. You are so awesome to do what you're doing. Thank you for having a heart for orphans. Thank you for being such a great example to the Church in this area. I see Christ through you.

Rebecca Smith, I love you and your kids. They are so close in age, which makes your life a little crazy, I know. (I've lived it with ya!:) But I just want to say to you that you are doing a GREAT JOB with them. They absolutely adore you (and so do I). AND I steal so many great ideas from you (with Clara being just a step ahead). Thanks for investing in me as a new mama. 

Pattey Bayllis, I respect you so much as a mom of boys. I may be calling you someday soon (as more of the boy comes out). :) Thanks for caring so much about what your sons' eyes see, and for going above and beyond to do something about it!

Sidni Mikulecky, you may not remember me, but I remember you from mission trips Armstrong took with GSU in college. I just want you to know that I'm praying for sweet Harper, and that you are already an amazing mom for choosing to give her life. Thank you for your example. Happy Mother's Day!

Mandy & Linds, Happy First Mother's Day to the best new mamas I know! Y'all are doing a great job!

Emily Guerard, Three boys in three years. WOW! You rock! I just want to encourage you to love them well through the chaos, which I know that you are doing every day. Triple Happy Mother's Day to you, long-lost homie.

Nikkie Reagan, I cannot imagine going through what you went through to get your sweet girl here and home. I admire you and the faith that you exhibited during that time. I also love to watch her grow via facebook. :) Happy Mother's Day, friend. 

Taylor Hickox, Welcome to the club. You have a precious little one. Happy Mother's Day!

Corbster, my spiritual mama. I know that Micaiah is a lucky little guy to have you. I miss you dearly!

Keri-Dee, Happy Mother's Day, my homie. Give Barrett a kiss from me, and keep giving him what he needs. Love you!

Jayla, you became a mom at an age that I couldn't imagine being responsible for myself (much less a little one). I remember how precious both of those boys were as newborns, and how you slid right into your role as their mom. You make me proud, and I love you very much.

The Amanda's (Eason/Long), I love that our boys are the same age, and that we can encourage one another and spur one another on as they grow. I think that both of you are great moms. Keep up the good work, friends! And, uh-oh, Easons, the Longs are ahead of us on number two! ;)

So, there ya go. I am certain that I am going to think in the coming days, "Oh man, I wish I would've included her," so I might be posting some encouragement on facebook pages to those that I left out. But, in general, I just want everyone to know that I celebrate you, mom (if that refers to you), as I celebrate my own first mother's day. 

Signing off, 

Ash