This Mother’s Day, I wrote my mom a note instead of buying some fancy card that has a catchy saying. Not because I was trying to be cheap, but because Mother’s day had become so much more to me than just a day to celebrate my mom. Though I was thankful for my mom and wanted to celebrate her, I never quite understood the love she felt toward me or the sacrifice her life was for my siblings and I.

First of all, labor. This, in and of itself, is a bonding experience. The pain you go through to meet your baby is excruciating, but beautiful. It is difficult to explain. You endure nine long months of pregnancy to welcome your baby through hours of painful and exhausting contractions. The baby is out and the feeling of joy is immense and strong. Looking into your babies eyes is powerful. I still tear up thinking about this first moment with Jackson lying on my chest, staring into my eyes.

Second, sacrifice. To most, sleep is a precious thing that few are willing to give up. On my best days in college, I got 9.5 hours of sleep. On my worst, I got zero, but I would quickly make it up after the test/quiz/paper was turned in. Same after college, I loved sleep and made sure I always got plenty of it. It was super important to me. Growing up, my parents would wonder where I was only to find me asleep in bed. I love my sleep. This is something that was soon lost when Jackson arrived. My labor was from 3pm on Monday to 6am on Tuesday (though, I slept quite a bit during labor…don’t ask me how, but I did, and it was amazing). And after he was born, I didn’t sleep until later that night.  Then the subsequent nights were spent waking every two hours to feed him, change his diaper, and soothe his cries. That is just one small sacrifice of the many you make as a mother. Others include: nights out with your friends into the wee hours of the night, spontaneous road trips, alone time, long showers, pre-pregnancy body, boobs that aren’t constantly being utilized for their milk production, etc., etc., etc….

This past week, I so looked forward to Mother’s Day. I had no expectations except to enjoy the day for what it was. I gave some hints to my husband of things I would appreciate (breakfast, flowers, card). But even then, if those things didn’t happen, I made a commitment to myself that I was going to enjoy the day for what it was, celebrating motherhood in all of its glory thankful for God, my husband, and my son for giving me the chance to be a mother.

It exceeded my expectations considerably!! What a beautiful day!

Here’s some pictures of how the day went:

Jackson in his dedication/Mother’s Day outfit

Jackson in his dedication/Mother’s Day outfit

Jackson in his dedication/Mother’s Day outfit

Jackson in his dedication/Mother’s Day outfit

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Jackson being dedicated – 5/10/15

Snuggling on the couch with my boys

My beautiful Mother’s Day Flowers

My beautiful Mother’s Day Flowers

Mother’s Day card from Jackson (aka Eric)

Mother’s Day card from Jackson (aka Eric)