Mamas.

    This weekend, we get to celebrate some pretty special people - our moms. Moms carry their children from day one - from pregnancy through childhood... and when their littles are grown, mamas carry their children in their heart always. I firmly believe that mothers have the hardest job on the planet. My biggest dream job someday? To be a mama. And more than that - to be a mother who cares for, loves, and shepherds the hearts of her children like my mom did (and does) for me.

Me and Mom

    Little girls dream of being mamas - even as babies themselves, little girls naturally want to play with dolls. Being a mother is a special gift God gave to women. Women long for babies. Mamas dote over their children. They stay up late sewing costumes and soothing fevered brows. They sit and cheer at countless football games and their hugs and smiles remain...in wins and losses. They defend, they protect, they cook hundreds of meals, they wash thousands of dishes, they pray millions of prayers. Mamas cry sad tears for their little ones (even when they are not-so-little anymore) when they hurt and they cry happy tears when their children soar and fly.

My favorite picture of ALL TIME: 5 generations.

 My great-great grandma and my great-grandma (who are both in Heaven now with Jesus) My grandma, my mom, and me.

   One of my favorite writes describes motherhood so beautifully -

"...Once you buy that pregnancy test...once you see a pink plus sign...

once you know it's not just you anymore...

well, you automatically carry around, for the rest of your life,

an increased likelihood of having your heart broken...

We can choose to be afraid or we can choose to live. And I choose to live.

Because an increased likelihood of having your heart broken also carries with it

an increased likelihood of finding yourself the happiest you've ever been in life."

-Kelle Hampton, "Bloom"

-Mom and me in 1987 -

  Motherhood is a precious gift. Having a mama is the sweetest joy. And being one is a great privilege. As I thought about motherhood this week, I realized how many times we women need our mothers (or the mother figure in your life). And I want to remind you and me of how precious these mamas are. If you are a mama - keep on keeping on, keep being the best mama you can be to those littles. And if you aren't - realize what a precious job it really is.

There are just times you just need your mama....


When you're 3, and you fall of your little bike and scrape your knee.. only she can make the boo-boos better.

When you're 13 and she teaches you how to put on makeup and curl your hair.

When you're 15 and that boy is just so darn cute, you gotta tell somebody.

When you're 16 and you're the only one who didn't get asked to prom.

When you're in college and your heart is broken for real - for the first time. And through tears, you swear you'll never love again. But she just holds you tight and knows...someday you surely will.

When you get a compliment so over-the-top flattering, you can only share it with her.

When you ace your first test in college. 'Cause she's the one who prepared you.

When you have the worst day at work and you just want to fall apart.

When your friends plan some big night out... and don't invite you.

When you get dumped and you can't stop crying.

When you a certain handsome somebody gets down on his knee.... and you get a ring.

When you put that white dress on...you know she's the only one who deserves to zip it up.

When that little white stick shows a plus sign and your life is changed forever.

When you find a lump.

When you can't figure out for the life of you how on earth to de-bone a chicken...and you have company coming in an hour. She's the one you call.

When you feel like your man isn't fighting for you anymore. And it hurts.

When that little bundle you just brought home from the hospital won't. stop. crying.

When you just wanna go see a sappy, sad chick flick in sweat pants and cry it out.

When you hear the words..."I'm leaving you"...."You're being let go"...."cancer"....""down syndrome".... "miscarriage"....and your world is rocked.

When your crazy, big, impossible dream comes true.

And when you simply need someone to talk to. Someone who understands because, after all ...she's been there since the beginning.

This post is dedicated to my precious mom -

 you are one of my best friends,

one of my greatest role models.

You taught me how to be a woman. How to love Jesus.

How to be compassionate, sweet, and grace-filled.

You are Proverbs 31.

And I love ya.

Go  - hug a mama today.

And if you are one?

Go take a bubble bath. You deserve it.

Happy Mother's Day!

XO

Erin

"Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also and he praises her.

Many women have done noble things but you surpass them all."

-Proverbs 31:28-29


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