We are strong. We are united. We are Mothers.

I joke all of the time about how crazy my kids make me, but in all honesty, they are my world. Nobody has a world that isn’t shaken up from time to time, and my kids continue to keep mine all shook up - daily, or more realistically hourly. Does anyone else ever get that overwhelming sense of gratitude for their children? I do, almost every day. Some days it lasts longer than others because of the chaos, but I’m so grateful that it grounds me for the most part. I look at my older girls and see how compassionate they are with others, especially kids around their same age or younger. Sometimes I wonder where they got it, since it's not exercised at home usually with each other.

When I watch my girls try to mother each other, or even their baby brother, I see how they see me. I hear how they hear me. A lot of the time it’s them telling each other “the rules” and what not to do. I cringe that I can sound so terrible. Then I see the moments that I don’t realize I do, like rubbing their back or give them kisses just because. I watch the girls nurture the other and tell each other how much they love each other. This usually only lasts for like a minute, and then goes back to tattling on each other; but, they do it. They learned it somewhere. Why is it that even though on the worst days as a mother and feeling like a failure, the kids always can turn it right around in a matter of seconds? Literally, how can three sincere words from a four year old leave you speechless? “I love you” from her little voice can just about bring me to tears. God is so good. I think about how lucky I am with my little tribe of leaders and lovers at home.

Thinking about all of the good makes me question all of the bad. I get so frustrated thinking about all of the standards that a mom needs to be in order to be considered a good parent. Anyone else? All of the moms who are just trying to do their best are always targeted as doing something wrong. You have an impossible list of things to get through before the end of the day and still are supposed to have enough quality time to spend with your children . If you work full-time like me, it's supposed to be crammed into a 3 hour window; it's unrealistic. Guess what? YOU are doing amazing. YOU are blessed. YOU are your children’s hero. If you needed to hear this, here goes. Leave the haters behind. Each and every single one of us are trying to do whatever is best for our children, there is zero room for judgmental Janet's. Society can kiss it. You do you.

If you didn’t get to the dishes today because you were sitting on the couch watching your children play and argue - GOOD FOR YOU; you watched them develop social skills. If you didn’t create a DIY Pinterest educational game for your children and chose to go to the grocery store - GOOD FOR YOU; you kept your kids bellies full. If you raced around your house getting everything picked up - GOOD FOR YOU; you taught your kids how to be independent and clean up after themselves. If you went out for the night without your kids and left them with a sitter - GOOD FOR YOU; you are teaching your children that they need to listen to another adult when you’re not around and that you can have time to yourself. My point is, no matter how you’re surviving this crazy role called motherhood, you ARE surviving. We are truly blessed to have the title Mommy, how many aren’t as lucky? My heart goes out to each and every one of them. Embrace the daily struggles. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are doing it wrong, this is a job that you get to make all of the calls, good and bad. When that little face looks up at you, know that they are looking at their hero. You are blessed to have them in your world, but always remember: you are their entire world.

Be Bold - Be Strong, XO

Hells