Things I've learned being a mommy...

Oh boy, can little kids/BOYS be challenging somedays. Gotta love 'em though! I've learned so much in the past almost 8 years of being a mommy, some of which I would have never guessed would have, could have, or should have happened. Some things I've learned have made me smile, cry, laugh, want to run away, want to jump of with joy...MAN I LOVE BEING A MOMMY!!!!

I've learned that when I was younger, I wanted toilet paper to swing over the top, so I could make that pretty little triangle with it. Now, as a mommy, I like it flipping backwards; it stops my silly little boys from making it go round and round and dropping all of the toilet paper on the floor. SEE, I'M SAVING MONEY!!! Or maybe, I'm just not wasting money!!!

I have always loved music. When I was younger I was obsessed with everything from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to Tim McGraw (yeah, quite the difference, but I was quite the different child...lol). Now, as a mommy, the only music I can recite from memory is EVERY SINGLE spongebob or Phineus and Pherb song, or opening credits. I'm amazed that even at a young age, my children know the words.

When I was in school I thought I knew it all. Studies came easily to me; I aced most tests without studying; I made the honor role. Now that Thomas is in school, MAN THEY START KIDS OUT EARLY WITH THINGS. He knew his alphabet and colors and shapes before school started (I learned this in kindergarten); he was reading by kindergarten (I was reading what he was reading in second grade); he's doing algebra in second grade (can you say junior high, not elementary school, let alone second grade).

I used to think my parents were so strict growing up. Why wouldn't they ever let me cross a major highway when I was in sixth grade to go buy a taco by MYSELF or go to the park by MYSELF or ride my bike on the street by MYSELF?!? Man, I can't even let my kids play in their own yard by THEMSELVES. I have my eyes and ears constantly on. Yeah, I've surpassed my parents meaning of the word "strict" I believe. 

I remember my parents moving me to Brookings, South Dakota for my first year of college at South Dakota State University (Go Jacks). I remember being so excited to move on and get away from my parents and all my mom did was cry like a blubbering cry baby. I was thinking she was nuts, but I hugged her good-bye and started my rebelling (big time). Now, I drop my little man off at second grade, and I'm a crying big baby because he's walking through the school doors without needing his mommy by his side. WOW!!! My baby boy is growing up!

I always thought love was those school girl crushes on this person or that person. Then I met my husband and I realized he was what true love was. But you know, once you have that little baby, that is a completely different love. A mother's love is so much greater than anyone can ever imagine. My boys are my world and I would do everything and anything for them, no matter what. They say our Lord loves us more than we can ever fathum. If God loves me more than what I love my boys, man, He must feel like He's going to explode with love.

I thought being teased in school, spraining an ankle, or getting into a car crash was some of the worse things that could ever happen to me and make me cry. I never realized my babies could surpass the "worse things" ever. Watching my boys go through open heart surgeries, back surgery, esophagus surgery, cut eyes, scraped knees and elbows, or even a cold would tug at me and make me cry even more. I only wished I could possibly take away all their aches and pains. As a mother, I can't stand seeing my babies hurt in any way shape or form. They are my world.

As a mother, I've learned I have strength I've never known about, love that just explodes out of me towards my children, anger towards anyone who hurts them or any child for that matter, compassion toward other parents and children in every way shape and form. I live for my children; I will die for my children; and I cannot wait to see what kind of young men they turn into. I cannot wait to see what they do with their lives, what their career will be, who they will marry, how many children they will have, etc., etc., etc.

I LOVE YOU THOMAS, SAMUEL, AND JONATHAN WITH ALL OF MOMMY'S HEART (and guess what, Daddy does too, but I know you already know that)