Motherhood Overload

Mother's Day is around the corner and I cannot wait to see what my five children will come up with this year as their gift idea.  The ages of my kids range from 12 months to 8 years so each year the gift giving has been creative, sometimes unrecognizable, but always given with much love and a whole bunch of slobbery, wet kisses in addition to bear-hold types of hugs!  My children always ask what I desire for my gift but I can never come up with a better response than, "Just love on me!"  Isn't that all a mother should truly want anyway?  Enough of the flowers, chocolates, spa days, etc I just want to be worthy of my children's unconditional love no matter the many mistakes I make as a mommy throughout the year!  Having those tiny little arms wrapped tightly around my neck, feeling the wetness of their kisses, and hearing the words, "I love you, Mommy" in my ear is the best gift I could ever possibly hope as I raise these beautiful, silly, intelligent, giving, and loving children.

Sometimes people ask me why I decided to have so many kids - is it for religious reasons?  Have I discovered how babies are made?  Am I crazy? Am I selfish?  How can I spend time with each of them?  And the list of ridiculous questions go on, however, these questions do not phase me.  The truth is that I haven't planned any of them and on the same token I haven't prevented from having them either, but yet I cannot imagine my world without my children.  I do not understand how some may feel that children are a nuisance or that having too many kids is unwise for it takes money to raise them, feed them, send them to college, etc but to me having five children is not a lot of children.  Sure, there are days when I feel as though I am in the state of motherhood overload when they are fighting amongst themselves, no one takes their naps as they're supposed to, things get broken, potty accidents occur, and I just want to pull my hair out but these scenarios are what make motherhood so enjoyable and at the same time frustrating!  Who wouldn't want the opportunity for such joy and frustration?

I wish that each woman could experience the art of motherhood and raising children whether it be one child, three, five, or twenty!  There is no greater fulfillment nor joy than being a mother and although the task sometimes is daunting and the responsibility burdensome, to know that you have the love of a child is an amazing feeling.  My children are so quick to forgive my shortcomings and that is what astonishes me the most because I wish I were able to forgive so quickly and to love so unconditionally.  Lessons can be learned from our children and each day I am amazed at what mine teach me and how they help me to grow as a mother.  Mother's Day is around the corner and I wonder what my children will give me, likewise I wonder if it is not appropriate for me to give something to them?  A renewed desire and effort to be a good, kind, loving mommy?