The past month has been rather – hmmm, how shall I put it? – normal but with a touch of added humor that only teenage daughters and a husband with quick wit can provide. And thank goodness for that humor and plenty of laughter to go around! Otherwise, I think I would have lost confidence in myself as a mother a very long time ago.
Wait – normal is not quite the word I’m looking for. Is it normal to feel like you are attending your own funeral? Just stick with me, this will take a bit of explaining.
On a hectic school morning where it seemed everyone was talking at once I was trying to discipline a couple of children for arguing and raised my voice to be heard {aka, lost my cool and yelled} when in the background I heard an older daughter say in a sing song tone, “Mother, I don’t think you are ‘demanding respect without raising your voice‘.” This off-hand comment lead to all of us laughing and the situation was diffused.
She was quoting a letter of recommendation that had recently been dropped off at our house. A letter that I had to go out of my comfort zone to ask four different people to write for me. How do you go about doing something like that? “Hi, I need you to write a letter of my general awesomeness as a mother. Just don’t pay any attention to the food stains on my shirt that the baby put there or the slightly greasy unkempt hair I’m wearing today. And please try not to remember that my child crawled under the pew during church and was playing with your son’s socks and shoelaces or the fact that most people call before coming to our house so we have time to pick up the mess and be presentable. Pretend you don’t see all the flaws and maybe there might just be a little bit left to write about in a few sentences.” Let’s just say it is an awkward position to be in, very awkward.
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| My view as I’m typing this post. |
Those letters of recommendation came in and I cried and laughed and laughed and cried and felt like I was attending my own funeral so many gracious things were said. Then I cried because I sure don’t see myself the way those letters described me. And that’s why it is nice to have a wonderful, supportive husband and kind daughters who assure the letters are correct {for the most part} but who also know how to tease in just the right manner so it doesn’t all go to my head.
Speaking of my head, I also had to get a decent portrait shot. What a headache that was! Taking a nice photo of your slightly bloated because you’re 8 months pregnant face is not a fun thing to do. Brownie took a ton of photos because I was never satisfied. I finally narrowed down my options and thanks to the kindness of Shannon, aka The Lucky Red Hen, she made one look completely awesome.
All of that work because, embarrassing as this is, I am also quite honored to be the Nevada 2013 Young Mother of the Year from American Mothers, Inc. I was notified last fall that I had been nominated and had to answer a few questions. Never thought anything more about it until one Wednesday while I was cleaning my bathroom the thought came to me that I’d be getting a phone call from American Mothers. Two days later it came saying I had been chosen from amongst the nominees to represent Nevada {I was probably the only one, ha!}. I took a few days talking about it with my family before deciding to accept. Part of my accepting was submitting a portfolio with the letters of recommendation.
Why did I accept?
The main reason is because I love motherhood! There is so much I have learned about myself and about the Lord through serving my family and my children. This will be a great opportunity to spread that message. Another reason, this wasn’t a contest or a competition. Thankfully! Instead I get to be a representative of motherhood. Me with the unorganized house and moldy food in the fridge, who has to count heads so no one is forgotten when we are out and about, and who, on occasion loses her temper and yells at her kids. Imperfect me gets to represent all of us imperfect mothers as we journey this road together. In that sense I get to say I’m the most imperfect of us all, at least in Nevada. ☺
At the end of April I will take a trip to New York City for the American Mothers National Convention. I get to rub shoulders with other State Young Mothers like Elizabeth Caswell from Oregon, Ann Keffalos from Alaska, Tara Trobough from Georgia, Sherry Sage from Oklahoma, Kim Hoey Stevenson from Delaware, Elizabeth Shotkoski from Nebraska, Tamara Passey from Arizona, and Michelle Lenhardt from Utah. The best part of the trip – they welcome me bringing a newborn. After all, American Mothers, Inc is all about celebrating motherhood!
Congrats!! And your photo looks beautiful by the way! 🙂
Congratulations!!! What an amazing honor, and one I’m sure you deserve. And I agree, the picture is gorgeous!
Congratulations. You are an amazing mother. I am in awe of all you find time to do and you do it all so well!
Well-deserved recognition! You’ve earned it so enjoy every bit of appreciation and whatever accolades you receive. Congratulations!
Congratulations! You are a wonderful mother and will represent motherhood and your state well. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog and to share so much with us. You have inspired me often. Good luck with your family, your baby, and with doing it all!
Wow, what an honor! Congratulations. My gratitude to you as well for your blog and the knowledge and insights you share. You are very inspiring and an uplifting example. And I don’t know how you endure being pregnant so often at your “older” child-bearing age. I’m only 30 having my fourth and my hips have had happier times.
Wow, that’s really neat! And your picture looks lovely. You will do an amazing job at representing motherhood.
What a wonderful opportunity! I agree with Holly– you will do a great job representing motherhood! 🙂
Congratulations! I’ve never commented on your blog before but have to say that I am continually inspired by all that you are and all that you do. I want to be more like you! I have been living in England with my husband and 3 children for over a year, but we still have a home in Nevada. I am happy to have a connection to the state that you represent! Thank you for being a powerful example of motherhood to your children and to women everywhere. Best wishes always!
Yea for you!!! You do deserve it, you look beautiful, and you will be wonderful 🙂 We are so happy for you!
Congratulations! and thank you for your inspiring example!
For the many years that I have been reading your blog, that has always, consistently, been something I have admired about you – your example and love of being a mother. Thank you for being such a wonderful example, and being willing to share it with all of us!
Congratulations on your award!
Your photo is beautiful! You are beautiful.
Congratulations! And thank you for ALWAYS being a wonderful representative of motherhood!
AuntSue
Many many drops of awesome to a wonderful mother, who is a beautiful example to all of us.
What a wonderful honor! I’m so glad you were chosen! I, too, have been very inspired and encouraged through your blog. You are an amazin, beautiful woman and representative of motherhood in a time when the world desperately needs such an example of motherhood. Many blessings as you welcome your new baby into your family! And thank you, thank you, thank you for your blog!
Awesome!!! Purple is definitely your color, my friend:) The honor is wonderful, as is the totally honest presentation of your story. Does it comfort you to know I dumped Irish Jig in front of Just Dance on the Wii to read this whole post and comment? It’s exercise, right? Early congrats on tomorrow’s delivery. Can’t wait for picture and new chocolate name!
Congratulations! I think this honor is definitely well-bestowed on you. I have been reading your blog for 5+ years and it is a constant source of inspiration. My oldest is only 6, so it is nice to have a virtual friend who has done it before. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about the newest addition!
Congratulations!! I can’t think of a better woman to represent us Nevada Mothers!! You are such an inspiration to mothers everywhere! And your picture is absolutely gorgeous!! Although I must admit I was very happy to hear that you raise your voice occasionally & your house gets messy~makes me realize i’m not alone!!
Congratulations! And congratulations! I don’t know which is more exciting- the pending baby or the recognition. Your children are right – you are inspiring. Thanks for your uplifting words!
I would second you any day for Mother of the year! I am constantly inspired by your posts, your courage, your honesty, your faith and your commitment to your family. I aspire to be like you some day. Congratulations, you deserve it.
Congratulations! You will have so much fun at convention. I went last year to represent Texas and it was great to mingle with a bunch of like-minded women who value motherhood as much as I do.
The mother of the year in Idaho is in my ward and has no kids at home, but she did have 8. However she does not cook or clean. Her husband does it all. Her and her husbands have served a mission in the humanitarian room when it was up and now are serving in the employment center.
You should be mother of the year! You make Heavenly Father proud!