You Know You're A Mom When...

Quite a few years ago my Mom received a book full of Mom jokes titled, "You Know You Are A Mother When...".  There are some pretty funny ones in there, that every Mom can relate to like:
-You know you are a mother when, a trip to the store ALONE feels like a vacation.
-You know you are Mom when ALL your fantasies are about sleeping.
-You know you are a Mother when, the surprise of a clean house is enough to move you to tears.
-You know you are a Mother when, you feel guilty about NOT going over to clean up the mess that was just announced on aisle 5.
-You know you are a Mother when, your most repeated words are, "In just a minute."
-You know you are a Mother when, you know how to explain why the tooth fairy didn't come again today.
-You know you are a Mother when, every thought you have is an interrupted one. :)
-You know you are a Mother when you pack more things for a picnic in the park than most astronauts take for a trip around the world.

I was thinking about that book today, when a stranger commented on my "interesting choice" for a band aid.  You know you are a Mom when all your bandaids have characters on them. :)

I am grateful for the things that set me a part to the world, and are sure signs that I am a Mom, because it is the hardest, most rewarding job I have ever had.  I happen to be proud of what I do each day.  These kids continue to make me a better person.  It is a blessing, and divine privilege to be a mother!  Because of this, I know that we receive divine help.  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be able to raise children, even if it means sometimes standing out in ways that others may deem embarrassing, weird, and sometimes down right disgusting.  I think one of the things that saves me as a Mom is finding the humor in these situations, that could otherwise be frustrating.  So today, in honor of Mother's Day coming up, and my SAINTLY Mother who put up with A LOT from me growing up, I thought I'd share My OWN version of, you know you are a Mom when.

You know you are a mom when:
You feel like keeping the house clean or finally finishing ALL the laundry is the equivalent of trying to brush your teeth while eating Oreos. (These are clean, and need to be folded)

You know you are a Mother when, spell out words like D-U-M-B even when the kids aren't around.

You know you are a mother when, silence is NOT golden, but suspicious :)

I came down from putting Oaklyn down for a nap, and the boys were sharing the last yogurt in what they thought was a mixing bowl.  Good times!

You might be a mother if, you become VERY familiar with poop, and other bodily fluids(This is the one I did not know the extent of before I became a mother.  (I will spare you a picture, or story about this one, even though I have quite a few stories to choose from. :))

You know you are a Mother when, you are the only one excited about going to bed, and some days, bedtime becomes your "happy hour".

You might be a Mother if, even if you just cleaned the mirrors a few days minutes ago, there are always new little smudges and prints that ensure you will never be out of a job, and tug at your heart, because you know you will miss them when they are gone someday.

Smudges are surprisingly hard to pictures of.  But my mirrors are full of them even after they are just cleaned.

You know you are a Mother when, their little kisses and hugs are better than a pay check.

You know you are a Mother when, watching them sleep makes your heart skip a beat. (It is a little ridiculous how many pictures I have of my kids sleeping :))

You know you are a Mother when, the sound of their laugh gives you the energy to play ONE more round of little piggies.

You know you are a Mother when,  you realize that seeing the world through their eyes is a special treat, that reminds you to slow down, and take it all in.  

My own sense of wonder is renewed each time THEY experience something for the first time.

You know you are a Mother when, you are daily humbled and amazed by how much you learn from these little people who are wise beyond their years.

The older I get, the more I appreciate all of the sacrifices my Mom made for me.  I hope I can be just like her some day!