Motherhood:

Is to be surprised. Life is rarely what I expected or planned.

Is to dig in with my unpolished fingernails; to throw dirt, to catch creatures, and to breathe in the belief that I know exactly what I am doing. Especially when I do not.

Is to accept: myself, my husband, my children for who they are--and to love each without conditions.

Is to become a walking trash receptical, and to rejoice when my children choose-independently--to wipe and toss their own boogers in the nearest trash can, rather than your hands.

Is to forgive and to forget...often to forgive myself for forgetting.

Is to imagine: to make my sons swoon over my animated vocal impersonations and daring hypothetical scenarios. All while simultaneously attempting to do the dishes.

Is to be on my knees mopping the crumbs, designing railroads, steadying little bodies, disciplining, hugging, apologizing and praying to God for help to do it over and over again. 

Is practicing: music and homework and patience and patience and patience.

Is to see myself and my family years from now, and to build our days with my vision for tomorrow.

Is to be brave enough to submit.

Is to read with little ones competing for a place on your lap, and to allow their fat fingers to poke me repeatedly in the eyeball when I dose off midsentence.

Is to advocate for my child; to succeed and fail against great odds, and to teach him to do the same. 

Is to sorrow for pains that are not my own, but that my love chose to bear.

Is my greatest challenge and blessing: a process of becoming--digging a little deeper, trying a little harder, being a little better than I was yesterday. For them.

How lucky I am to share parenting with my Jonny: my love, my support, my inspiration.

The boys surprise me with flowers, a new beautiful bedspread, personalized notes, and promises of painting my bedroom!  I am one lucky mom.