Motherhood behind the purple curtain...

Today is mother's day.  That day of day's where mom's are celebrated and appreciated for what we do.  And what is it exactly that we do?  And for that matter, what does being a mom really mean?


I never really got motherhood until we had our daughter.  Sure, Kahlua and Koko came first and were both excellent learning ground, but somehow we never REALLY thought that crate training and treats would work for our new two-legged child.  (Well, the treats maybe.)


First, there's all the great stuff that being a mom means.
Lots of hugs and kisses.  Being the go-to parent for most of the early years.  
The expansion of your capacity to love something 500+ percent.
Being a mom is the most amazingly difficult, wonderful thing I've ever done and will likely ever do with my live.


Then, there's the motherhood behind the purple curtain.  (Why I picked purple, I have no clue - just go with it!)
This behind-the-scenes motherhood experience includes everything from sleepless nights with a fully awake baby to wondering if you still get brownie points for at least TRYING to breast feed - hey, not everyone can do it!
It's the stains you'll never get out of their clothes or yours.  It's getting down on the floor at her level and playing games like Candyland a million, kajillion times. It's drawing a little heart on her hand everyday when you drop her off at school so she can check for it when she needs to throughout the day.  
It's band-aids and blood.  Snarls and lice - 3x in one summer.  Bullies and best friends and a boyfriend, not to be confused with the boys who are just friends.  It's skipping through the mall or trying to not step on any of the lines of the floor in the school in the morning.  It's making soccer in the rain sound exciting when you flip it to "mud soccer!"  It's spelling and reading and math, every night, tears included on both sides.


I love being a mom, and wouldn't trade it for the world.  I'm not one to judge or compare, but I must say, I'm one of the best mom's I know when I check out the competition, umm, err, I mean some of the other mom's at school.  But really, the only people that need to think I'm a good mom are Katrina and John.  (And our extended pack of Kahlua, Koko, Willow, Princess and Shadow.)  The extended pack is an easier audience - food, potty and the occasional tummy rubbing are the only criteria for "good mom" with that crew!  


So - happy mother's day to all!  Enjoy your day, and for those who aren't mom's, you likely have one (unless you were hatched or dropped off by alien's) so appreciate them, hug them and don't tell them about the stain on the back of their shirts - let it go for just today.  ;)