Happy Mothers Day to all you awesome moms out there! Especially to the moms in my life: Mom, I love you! Wish I could be with you today!; Katrinia, Love ya! Take some time to pamper yourself! Raising 1 kid is hard, much less 6, like you do!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderment
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
Before I was a Mom ...

Happy Mothers Day!!

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish a happy Mother's Day to 2 very special ladies in my life.

First, my mom, Kathy McDaniel. You are the best mother I could ever have asked for. You have been my encourager, my confidant, my inspiration, and my friend. I really could not say enough to thank you for all you have done for me, from giving me life, raising me in the truth, caring for me, teaching me as only a mother can, and guiding me while letting me test my wings. And now that I am married with children of my own, you are a wealth of knowledge and support, someone I know will be there when I need someone to talk to, no matter what. You are always willing to do what ever you can to help me and knowing that you are there has been a comfort more times than I can count. Thank you for loving me and showing me what it really means to be an awesome mother and a Proverbs 31 woman. I love you, Mom! Wish I could be with you on Mother's Day, but I guess I'll have to wait a few more weeks to see you!

The second lady I would like to honor is my mother-in-law, Karen Reighard. You are a wonderful mother-in-law. Thank you for accepting me into the family when I married your son and moved out here. You really did believe that you did not lose a son but gained a daughter. Thank you for doing such a great job in raising Kevin. He is a wonderful husband and father and a great man. I know the work of a mother is never done and that even when kids reach adulthood a mother's love is still hard at work. Thank you for including me in that love. I love and appreciate you, Mom!

And to all moms, have a blessed and happy day. Enjoy the family God has given you and relish the time spent together. Have a very Happy Mother's Day!