Happy Mother's Day!

To all of you who are moms, Happy Mother's Day!

Today was certainly a very special day for me. Our second graduated from Kindergarten religious education this morning. He processed into church, wearing his little white paper "cap," complete with a little white tassel. And then he came to find me, handed me a white rose and gave me a huge hug and a kiss. I love this age. I adore their open love and complete lack of embarrassment at giving hugs and kisses. I won't lie, I had tears in my eyes as he turned to go join his classmates and receive his certificate. Life is good and I'm so thankful to have our 4 beautiful, healthy and happy children.

I'm also remembering my first ever "mother's day." I was 7 months pregnant with our daughter, so I was fairly obviously at the point where I couldn't "put it back" as if I had changed my mind on the color of a shirt. My husband was deployed, and I headed off to church by myself. Well, myself and my big belly. The elders were giving out carnations to all of the mothers. As I started to walk past into church, one stopped me and asked if I had any other children, to which I replied that no, this was my first. Would you like to know what he told me? "Oh, well, then you're not a mother. You can't have a carnation."

I certainly wasn't looking for a flower, but being told that I wasn't a mother just needled me. Honestly, I was caring for this baby 24 hours a day. She was definitely part of me and my life has never been the same since the first moment we knew she would be part of our lives.

So to all who are expecting your first child, Happy Mother's Day to you as well. You're definitely a mom in my book!