Growing up...

I wasn't the nicest daughter to my Mom growing up. It has taken almost 29 years to realize just what she went through as a mother staying home, raising two kids. Now that I have two kids of my own and know how hard it is, I have a whole new level of understanding. I was the "easy" one growing up through childhood. BUT-I was a rebelious teenager and put her through pure HELL, I'm sure. If she only knew half the crap I did as a teenager she would be six feet under already.

After I had Jacob our relationship grew closer than it had in years. I developed more of an understanding of the word "Mom" and started realizing who she was as a person and what her role had been with me. As time went on and Jacob grew, I would go to her and ask her questions regarding parenting and how it was when we were growing up. She would answer and seemed to enjoy answering the questions. Now I needed her and I think she knew that.

While pregnant with Joshua, I counted on my Mom. She was there for me and helped tremendously with Jacob. She drove 45 mins. (1 hr. 30 min round trip) every day to watch Jacob at our house while I was on bedrest. She cooked and cleaned my house. She entertained me with adult conversation from a chair next to my bed. She was there, most importantly!

Today she is still coming over and helping me with the kids. She does little things like takes Jacob out to eat lunch. That gives me some time alone with Joshua to do what I want. I can sleep or just lounge around. She calls and checks on us and that gives me adult conversation. She is once again, just there for me and that is so important to have.

I've grown up, I think. I realize what it means to be a mother and what it means to care for your children so deeply that you parent them. Growing up, I didn't realize that. I hated the boundaries she presented and created. Now-I know... there must be boundaries and there must be rules.

My Mom's role as a parent has slowly diminished as I've grown up, married and had children of my own. We talk like friends now. Friends that have known each other for years and years, which we have. She knows my deepest secrets and all my past. She is one hell of a friend. We are bound by genetics, but our bond is so much deeper than that. She's my Mom and my friend. It feels good to grow up and have that, now.

With all this being said...
Thank you, Mom for all the things you did for us growing up and continue to do for us as adults. I know you will never read this, but I just feel the need to say, Thanks!