9 years ago on Mother’s Day Scorch was born. He was the first kid born in our county on Mother’s Day so we were on the news. To say that I looked nothing like Kate Middleton hours after giving birth is like saying Mt. Everest is a big hill. My nose was swollen, my face was puffy and I was squishy all over. I was proudly wearing clean PJs for the first time in 24 hours along with the blessed mesh underwear stuffed with ice packs that they give you in the hospital. I have never felt more beautiful.

Fast forward, today my day was filled with two crazy kids, an amazing morning at church, seeing friends and having an fantastic evening at home with my kids, husband, parents, brother, grandmother and aunt. It was full of cleaning and cooking and washing and socializing and laughing and love. I have never felt more content.

The space between these Mother’s Days, 9 years apart, have been filled with a lifetime of memories and moments. Joy and tears. Laughter and yelling. Some days I look at these gorgeous creatures the Hubs and I made and their sheer perfection takes my breath away. Other times I look at them and I legitimately count down the days until they leave for college. Sometimes I do both on the same day.

You will never, ever hear me complain about being a mom. You will hear me complain about my kid’s actions and attitudes along with our crazy life full of rushing from here to there, laundry and cooking. But being a mom is *the* best job in the world and raising Scorch and Bean is a privilege that I know I’m damned lucky to have.

To my own Mom- thank you for showing me every day how to parent with compassion, grace and humor. Thanks for reassuring me that I’ve got this when I call you to cry because I think I’m screwing everything up. Thanks for telling me how it is in the nicest way possible and for loving my kids so unconditionally. I love you more then you’ll know.

To my Mother-in-Law- thank you for raising the Hubs to be a good father. He may never, ever cook and he may hate talking on the phone, but he’s a damn good father and that is all thanks to his upbringing! My kids are lucky to call you Mimi.

To my sister, aunts, and cousins – I feel like I was raised surrounded by strong women who weren’t afraid to love me like my own parents. Thanks for continuing to build this amazing family for my kids. We may not live as close to each other as we did growing up, but your influence is always felt. It’s been a joy watching my sister and cousins turn into moms I’m so proud to know!

And to my friends – thank you for being my sounding board and for telling me I’m not crazy. Thank you for loving my kids like your own and being willing to pitch in when ever needed. Thank you for the girls nights, the real talk and hours of laughter. Thank you for raising kids I’m so happy my kids are friends with.

Happy Mother’s Day, all!