To love & be loved on Mother's Day

As I was driving to work this week, I heard that 90% of mothers aren't truthful about their role as a mother - 40% claim it's not what they expected, & another percentage (can't remember exact amount) claimed it was much harder than they imagined.  The radio announcer then said - "There are a lot less mountaintop experiences than we think there are in real life."   This hit me.  Mother's Day was a mountaintop experience for me. But - this week alone - my 3-year bit a child at the sitter (a new one) & went to time out several times for throwing "fits" during transition time.  My 1-year old has not been sleeping well & I rocked him last night for an hour from 1:30am-2:30am & has started saying "No" a lot!  I feel I always share my mountain top experiences on this blog...but, today I want to be truthful.  I LOVE my boys with my heart & soul.  Motherhood is HARD.  I am always tired.  I am always praying.  I am always thankful to have such a wonderful spouse, whom compliments my weaknesses. Hang in there Moms - we have a HARD, but an extremely rewarding job!  Here are a few highlights from Mother's Day -
A wonderful church service!

Mother's Day 2014

After church, we took naps, played outside, & Jonathan made the most delicious dinner (all my favorites!)  My big gift - a new flower bed with knock-out rose bushes, clematis vine, & pine straw.  I love it.
Thank you to my mother-in-law & mama for being such wonderful examples for me.  My boys are loved!

My mother-in-law - Ophelia Barlow  Summer 2013 

My mom - Kathy Fraley & Peyton  Fall 2013

From a devotion my mom sent me today -   God isn’t going to let you see the distant scene either. So you might as well quit looking for it. He promises a lamp to our feet, not a crystal ball into the future. We don’t need to know what will happen tomorrow. We only need to know He leads us.  As Hebrews 4:16 promises, “we will find grace to help us when we need it.” From Traveling Light by Max Lucado God - Give us grace as mothers!  Amen