Happy Mother’s Day, loves.  I hope you didn’t forget to do something special for yours.  I’m lucky enough to not only be a mama but to have a few very amazing mamma-figures to look up to in my own life.  Not to mention the honor of being one myself.

I have an amazing Grandma whom I’ve had the pleasure of spending lots of time with, over the years.  She is very much a role model in my life.  My Grandma has taught me a lot about being a woman of God.  She’s taught me that even if I am right, sometimes its best just to keep quiet and bite my tongue.  Living in the country, she’s taught me that we don’t always have to go, go, go. Sometimes, its nice to just sit on the porch and swing for a while.

Instead of being cursed with a wicked stepmother, I was blessed with a lovely one.  Teeyl has taught me so much over the years.  Growing up, I knew as a woman, I had to find a man and get married.  She taught me one of the greatest lessons of all: how to be an independent woman and live my life for myself.  She taught me about patience, making the best decisions, and what it means to be a lady.  One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from her is that in everything, there’s growth.  Bad things will happen, but life is more rewarding if I try to find the good in situations instead of sulking and complaining.  She taught me to have my own opinion and express it respectfully.  Teeyl also taught me that there’s no such thing as being bored.  There’s always something to do.

Then there’s my Mom.  The one and only.  She’s taught me a ton.  The most prominent in my mind, though would be about strength.  She’s taught me to stand up for myself and the ones I love.  She taught me if I don’t give up, but fight through, I will come out alive.  My Mom taught me to be careful with who I trust.  I learned from her not to be judgmental of people because of where they’ve been.  She taught me about tradition and power of love and family.

And then there’s my own experience in motherhood.  More than anyone else, lately, Lilie Jo has been my greatest teacher.  She has taught me about unconditional love and how amazing it feels to have it for someone else.  LilieJo has taught me so much about perspective and the magic waiting to be found all around us.  She’s taught me about adventure and has reawakened my imagination.  And don’t even get me started on how much patience she has taught me.  My daughter has taught me about what kind of woman I want to be, in order to set the best example for her to not only look up to but to be able to look back on and be proud.

This little girl has brought me more happiness than any other thing/person in this world.  I love watching her grow and become a little lady.  I can’t wait to see what other adventures lay ahead of us.