Tribute to Mother's

Today's thought is all about us Mommies, I have read so many poems , stories, etc., on Mothers I wanted to just do a little ditty of my own, maybe its a mix of every one's.
"Before being a Mom" poem from a friend

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys,
or forgot words to a lullaby,
I didn't worry whether of not my
plants were poisonous...
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom: I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on, I had complete control over my mind and my thoughts .
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom: I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests, or give shots, I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom: I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom: I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body...I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby, I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy,the love, the heartache, the wonderment or satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

My turn as I am sure you can all relate to that little poem:
Being a Missionary Mom:

Before being a Mom of a Sister Missionary: I never thought I would miss the extra bathroom mess, or piles laundry. Before being a Mom of a Disciple of Jesus Christ, I never really "caught" the meaning of 110% service to our atoning Savior.. Before sending my only daughter off to stop strangers in the streets, knock on doors and ask if they want to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I never knew I could be so proud of my daughter talking to "strangers" . I didn't think the nights would be so short and the days so long with out her. I thought having the computer all to myself for once would be so cool. I never thought about the swine flu outbreak, or 2 planes crashing , or a shooter in New York would effect me so greatly I would watch the news for hours to hear something new. I didn't realize I was a bit breakable without Laura by my side hold me up and giving me strength when I was nearly in fetal position in a dark dungeon, wondering what to do. To me the massive amount of love that pours from the Heavens above for us. We are not alone, we have our ancestors, own mothers, pioneer women , angels all pulling for us and giving us the strength we need to make it through a day without our children. I also didn't realize the many blessings of having a worthy daughter want to serve, then just going out and doing just that, at her own expense. I didn't realize how I could feel comfort and peace through the power of the Priesthood coming from 3,000 miles away. When the whole Zone is praying for you...you better believe you can feel it. Before being a Mom of a Sister Missionary, I didn't know I would become so popular with the "whole mission family" they would nickname me Mama Love. Before becoming a Missionary Mother who is within hours of talking to her missionary daughter, would start counting the minutes to hear her daughter's voice. Before Laura went on her mission to Rochester, New York, I had NO idea of the joy and blessings it would bring me daily, Yes, I miss that little spark of fire , but there is a greater warmth and feeling that come with knowing where she is and what she is doing. It will be 1 year on May 14, since I saw her walk calmly up in front of 500 soon to be missionary's and give a closing prayer, after singing " Called to Serve", a killer song, when saying good-bye. All the questions us mommies have... is she prepared to do this, is she scared, will she get sick, will she teach with the Spirit?.We all have these questions don't we, even before they are of age. That is what being a mother is all about. The unconditional love we give our children, for we love their little spirits, what ever path they have chosen. Can you imagine the love our Mother in Heaven has for us? The want for us to succeed and nurture and love our own as we are loved. It is the eternal perspective, the big picture that has helped guide me We can be families forever. What a glorious feeling. What a beautiful plan of Salvation and gift we have been given. I think of my own Mother and her Mother and all the ancestors before me who have sacrificed and worked so hard to benefit and prepare us to be good mothers. I thank all Mothers for their hard and diligent work in being the best they can be. I thank all my friends who are great examples to me in my life. I wish all Mothers a happy Mother's Day, and to be able to enjoy their families and know they are loved unconditionally for all they do. Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side. Love from a Missionary Mommie, Kathy