Mother's Day 2014

I still can't believe I'm a mom. I can't believe I can say the words "children". And, I really can't believe I love it. I know I've written about this before but I did not grow up wanting to be a mom. I didn't stuff a pillow under my shirt and pretend I'm pregnant while other kids were playing dress-up. I think I was reading or working on my science project. Y'all, I was rockin' the nerd status! I didn't already know how many kids I wanted when I got married and sometimes I wasn't even sure I was going to have any. In college, before the I-fell-in-love-with-a-red-headed-gentleman-named-Mike-Smith, my plan was to get my MD/PhD, start my research career, work overseas, get married in my 30s...and that's about as far as I made it with my dreams,

But, I'm so glad a little someone above (ok, just kidding y'all...He's kindof huge right?) interrupted my plans in a big way. Not only did I get married in my early 20s and had no idea what I was doing or where I was going or where we were going as a young married couple, I had my children in my late 20s. And I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for these two precious gifts this Mother's Day.

Now, I'm in my early 30s with two kids in tow and married to that gentleman I mentioned earlier. I didn't go to medical school, although I did try and took the MCAT. Planning a wedding and falling in love interrupted those plans - and I'm so glad they did! I'm now working on my research career in international settings. So it's kindof-sortof-not really like what I thought it would be. But I'm so thankful my plans have been interrupted by love. First, love from my incredible husband who points me toward grace and the Grace-Giver. Then, love from my children and for my children. These interruptions deepen and steady my life.

So, to my children, thank you for making me a mom and for teaching me how to be a mom. Thank you that my heart swells at how much I love you both. You are both loved beyond words!

The first 2 pics are Bella and the next 3 are JT's. These are special days!

Here's some fun links from Mother's day in the past few years!
2010 Mother's Day
2011 Mother's Day
2012 Mother's Day
2013 Mother's Day