Some time ago while my husband and I laid in bed I told him about an article I came across that discussed the importance of not putting your children first or making them the most important of the family. Now, please don’t misunderstand me – I completely get the viewpoint of this and can see that sometimes the dynamic can become skewed or unhealthy.

However, I remember telling Jarett how sad I was after reading it. I’m not sure if this view comes from the state our world is in now or it’s quite possible I am the one with the skewed sense. Here’s the thing – I love my husband and our relationship, the strength and stability of our marriage is what keeps this family together and running, but I am so grateful to have a partner in life that is man enough to know and feel as strongly as I do that it’s not a matter of what place someone or a role comes in, but more that my role as a mother is a divinely unique calling. And our greatest job as parents in this season of life is being the absolute best for these little people.

Motherhood is the most animalistic force I have ever known. The bond, connection and sheer will to keep these little ones safe and protected is more intense than anyone could have prepared me for. I also often say that motherhood is the most bittersweet thing I have ever experienced – the worry and the stress coincides with the deepest love and addiction for these babes and truly puts me on my knees more times than not.

However, the days are long and the years are short – it truly passes in the blink of an eye and we have one shot at raising them to become amazing humans and add something to this world. I would never have imagined motherhood to be this beautiful of a ride and I thank God every morning I wake up for the chance to do it. These four, soon to be five, are the breath in my lungs and the beat in my chest. I will forever be in awe that I am the one they call mom. I truly have found myself in motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to the women in my life. Thank you for your support and your examples. I will forever be modeling my role as a mother after yours and I am blessed to be surrounded by such positive examples.

And Happy Mother’s Day to each of you fellow mothers, soon-to-be mothers and mothers who are still waiting to have their arms filled. May we raise each other up and continue forward with this beautiful work.

P.S. Bless my husband’s heart for getting these little punks to smile for a Mother’s Day portrait that he knew I would want (I get it though – church was long and we were hungry).