Mother's Day...

...so grateful for these beautiful girls and a pretty awesome hubby.

I was pampered in the morning with a surprise breakfast, flowers, lots of cute cards and little gifts.  And a big gift {my new camera} that they re-wrapped for me since I have been using it the last few weeks. :)

After church a BBQ with my wonderful Momma.

And the sprinkling of other family members around.

{sadly, more family away than around though...}

I love my mother.

More and more every year that I am a mother.

And I love being a mother.

ALMOST everyday... :)

But especially today.

So grateful to be a mother of five girls.

(And I will forever count my sweet niece Paige as a "6th daughter".)

 She fits right in with my girls who normally look and act more like this when they get together.

She's just an all around fun girl to have around.

And this will forever be my favorite photo of her and her Poppa!

Motherhood is a challenge...

All good things are.

The other day after a soccer game, Kenna and I chatted about how she badly wished she had scored a goal.

I pointed out that she is an amazing defender.

And rarely do defenders score goals.

But their part in the game is vital.

I made the analogy that a mom is like a defender.

I don't think she really got it.

But I did.

Mom's don't always get cheered on for scoring the goal... {or for driving their children all over town, cleaning the house, reading stories, helping with homework, cooking meals etc. etc.}

But the family couldn't win without a defender.

My mom was my defender.  Her mom was hers... etc. etc.

and I hope my girls think of me as their defender...

Sometimes as mothers we get distracted.  And the ball gets by us, even in the goal sometimes.  And we beat ourselves up.  But we shouldn't should we?  We should just be quicker to get back in our position... hold ground...  and try our darndest to not let another one get by us.

When my older ones were little it was easier I think.

I had more control I guess...
It was busy yes, but my heart didn't hurt so much when they came home discouraged

As they grow we appreciate their independence and wish that the world saw them as unconditionally as we do.

And it's emotional a lot of times.

I get all "momma bear like" when things don't go their way and their little hearts are hurting.

I get all weepy at their accomplishments when I know they gave their all... and then just a little bit more to make their momma proud.

Like this girl, who today ran her little heart out in the Greenville Mile.  Finishing 10th in the 3rd grade.  I had sunglasses on so I don't think anyone saw me tearing up and not able to cheer for her when she crossed the finish line.

But I was there as her defender.

And I always will be.

Motherhood is about being a defender.

Plain and simple.

I love you mom... thanks for always being my defender.