Saturday, May 4, 2013

What I Love About Motherhood (Beautiful Mama Award)


     One thing I love about being involved in youth ministry is spending one-on-one time with some
amazing young women. It doesn't happen as often as it used to (I figure having three children, a home-based business, and a writing career kind of complicate the whole scheduling issue). But just a few days ago I got to hang out with a lovely young lady after the boys were in bed, and we had a great time talking.

     I forgot how it worked its way into the conversation, but my friend was absolutely floored when I told her that growing up I had no real interest in children or motherhood. I figured I would have kids one day, but I honestly didn't care for youngsters one way or the other.

     I think I just had no idea how rewarding motherhood would be.

     One thing I love about being a mom is how many friends I've made because I am a mother. In addition to friends who come over for play dates (and stay for adult conversation), I've made many blogging friends whose special-needs and parenting blogs keep me encouraged and inspired. One such friend, Joy from I Can Say Mama, nominated me for the Beautiful Mama Award (hence this post about what I love about motherhood).

     In addition paving the way for me to meet great friends, motherhood has also smoothed out my rough spots. You would not believe how judgmental I used to be. I have a friend who likes to quote, "I was the perfect parent before I had any kids." Yup, that was me. Having kids (who don't behave exactly like I want them to every hour of the day) has taught me to be more gracious and forgiving than I otherwise would be. I always thought of myself as a patient person, until about kid two or three popped up. And even though it's humbling to find out I'm not as perfect as I used to believe, I like to think that motherhood is teaching me to be a better person (if only by exposing my faults so I can deal with them).

     Third, I love motherhood because it gives me such purpose. I always dreamed I'd change the world. As a teen, however, I figured that would be as an international relief worker or as a cutting-edge doctor or as a Pulitzer-winning novelist. I never imagined I'd be changing the world by raising three amazing boys. And amazing they are. Nate wants to grow up to be the first man to walk on Mars. Silas is five and has already published a poem in Highlights Magazine. And Thomas ... well, if being cute could save humanity, Thomas is your toddler.

     Being a mother is an awesome experience, and I'm blessed to know many other tremendous mothers. So I am in turn passing the beautiful mama award on to Vanessa at Journey Full of Life, Regi (whose blog is mostly about her writing journey but whom I also know to be a wonderful mother), Stephanie at Homeschooling Mom of Four, and Sylvia from Faithful Mom of 9. All you have to do is:

1) Click the above award image, save it and use it in your acceptance post.
2) List three things you love about motherhood.
3) Nominate other deserving mamas; you may choose as many as you like.
4) Post the link to your post in my comments section so I'm sure to see it!

Random Fact #20: When I was a senior in high school, I was nominated the most likely to "make a difference."


9 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post, Alana! You really deserve the award! xo And yes, I was that judgemental person, too, before I had my son!

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    1. Isn't it funny Joy how judgmental we can be until we're in someone else's shoes??? Thanks again for the award!

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    2. Yes, but I learned my lesson and now I always try not be so judgmental anymore. It does not always work, but I keep reminding myself every now and then.

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  2. Alana,
    Congratulations on receiving the award and I love this post about motherhood. I was the same way before I had kids and now I wish I had become a mother sooner and had a bunch more! And tee hee to the "perfect parent before having kids" - yup. Me, too.

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    1. Thanks for the congrats, Kristi, and I'm so glad I'm not the only woman who was the perfect mom before she ever had kids!! :) Hope you and Tucker and doing great!

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  3. I have to laugh a little about the timing of this award. Not only did I spend less than half the time I ordinarily spend directly interacting with my kiddos this week, they managed to break 2 less-than-easy-to-fix pieces of our house, so the warm-fuzzies are in unusually short supply. God must've decided I needed a reminder that I do, in fact, LOVE being a mom. :-)

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    1. Okay. Here you go: http://regimcclain.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/just-this-once/

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    2. Aw, so glad the timing worked out well. I loved reading your post!

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