i decided for this mother’s day week to ask some mothers i admire for a few words–wisdom or otherwise–and a picture of them and their brood (or, however many they could wrangle for a semi-decent picture!). i know that mother’s day can be rough for a lot of people. i want to say, though, that i’m hoping all women who have shown love to another let themselves be celebrated a bit. that ‘ol saying, “it takes a village?” yeah, we’re all a part of that village. birth mothers, adoptive mothers, sisters, aunts, friends. happiest mother’s day to all.
let the celebrations continue!
(thanks for bearing with me. this is waaaay longer than i thought it’d be. and perhaps it is relevant to only some of you, but without these women (and many more–i could have made this weeks of posts if i allowed myself!), my road would be so much rockier. i am so incredibly blessed to have this “village” behind me. thank you to all!)
{this is my sister kate. do you want to know how many phone calls she’s fielded from me since i’ve become a mom almost seven years ago? oh… somewhere in the vicinity of 4,000 plus. and don’t start me on how many just since parker’s been born. she’s a best friend, an incredible mom, and one of the kindest souls.}
kate says:
Being a mother has allowed a certain peace to come over my heart. I am exactly where and who I need to be. And each and every day teems with joy…certainly not every moment (think diarrhea in the bathtub)…but absolutely every day.
{you might remember ahnika from her now defunct blog living with mr. johnson. while most of you don’t get glimpses into her life any more, i am lucky enough to be real life friends with this california babe and, let me tell you, she’s still as fabulous as ever. i mean it when i say she’s really funny, she’s real, she’s honest, she’s genuine, she’s great. and that little one? that’s svea. and she’s parker’s future wife.}
ahnika says:
Motherhood is the greatest potential influence in human society. Her caress first awakens in the child a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. Thus in infancy and childhood she implants ever-directing and restraining influences that remain through life. David 0. McKay
{rachael and i became close towards the end of our pregnancies. we both had july babies and, as you can imagine, playdates with her and her lux were a god-send during some of the most monotonous days of mothering. she is a really wise woman, really articulate (her writing is some of my absolute favorite on the internet), and her relaxed approach to motherhood has inspired me to chill out. i’m so very glad to have rachael nearby.}
rachael says:
I like to think of motherhood as the summertime in the seasons of my life–humid mornings with juice glasses and quiet breezes, driftless afternoons spent with a bowl of watermelon under a tree, evenings reading a favorite book for the 20th (or what might feel like the 200th) time. All of it lolling away so slooowly at times, only to be longed for later, leaving a well thumbed collection of snapshots that barely represent how much those days will mean to us.
{i’ve been a longtime follower of jane’s blog but happened upon meeting her last fall. she’s just as lovely in person as you’d imagine. i fell in love with her blog for so many reasons, but the chief of which was her absolute celebration of life. i can only imagine her kids (and husband!) feel so incredibly special both on their birthdays, and all the time, with jane at the helm. they’re lucky to have her.}
jane says:
mothers… we are women who love our children. including women without their own children who are influencing those around them – all of us. there are a million things that make kids different from each other or even us women different from each other…but there are a million more things that make us all the same, and the fact that we are all doing our very best to love these chidren makes us so incredibly bonded. you don’t have to be perfect to be a mother, you simply do your very best – and while doing so, your kiddos love you in return… that pure love is what makes motherhood feel perfect. the cycle. the journey is challenging and beautiful, and my favorite place to be.
{anna is full of creativity and beauty over on her blog and it’s always so inspiring to see what project she’s up to next. sometimes i’m at her blog and i think, “how did she do that?” she’s got so many great ideas and such good follow-through. as a crafting-dummy, i’m endlessly impressed by anna’s many feats. and on top of that, she is a mother to those sweet kiddos and is expecting her third in the not too distant future!}
anna says:
I kind of look at motherhood like receiving this really cool pair of specs that allows you to see the world with new eyes. Even though some days its Mission Impossible III, its the most important mission I have ever been given, and the deep happiness I have received in return far outweighs the sacrifices made along the way.
{andrea and i met nearly six years ago while working out alongside each other doing barre method. (since then, she’s become a yoga instructor, done aerial yoga, and learned to surf!) once we finally broke the ice and introduced ourselves, it was an instant connection and i’ve been inspired by her ever since. whether we’re going on double dates or just meeting at the beach over coffee, i always walk away more motivated to complete projects, to discover what i love to do, and to follow my passions. she’s one of those cheerleader types, you know? i’m so glad to have her in my life.}
andrea says:
I have never believed in sacrificing one’s personal happiness for anyone, including our kids…. I’m not talking about the many small compromises, or momentary discomforts that come with the territory of loving someone else as much, if not more than we love ourselves. I’m talking about sacrificing the big picture. Nothing good comes from foregoing our callings, giving up our passions and dreams.
{i remember caroline calling me one morning over a year ago telling me that she was pregnant. she had just found out and was both shocked and scared. i was so honored that it was me she called because, for me, throughout many dark times early on in my journey of being a wife and mother, caroline was the one with the incredible wisdom and listening ear. she probably has no idea how much it meant to me then and still does. i can only hope that i’ve been half the help to her as she has to me. she is so smart, beautiful, and seriously wise. i’m so glad to now share motherhood with her and her sweet vivienne!}
caroline says:
Only four months into my marriage, I was surprised by my pregnancy – and terrified by it. It felt like a hostile takeover of my body, career, and newly launched marriage. But the great surprise is this: I am still myself! The big adventures we had planned are looking a little different these days, but we’re forging ahead, and our fearless, charming girl is thrilled to tag along.
{grace’s blog is a newer find for me and you know how humor-writing can be really hard? well grace is gooooood at it. and with a seriously full plate (three under three and a hsuband in residency!) she regularly makes me, along with the rest of her readers, laugh about the struggles of motherhood. many times in my own journey, i’ve thought, “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.” and grace personifies that.}
grace says:
Motherhood is not for the meek, weak, selfish, tired, or unorganized and yet … here I am. It’s a pungent, exhausting, and never ending privilege to spend my days with my kids – even when they drive me to exciting new levels of crazy.
{i think i was clued into sara’s blog when she sent me some incredibly sweet email when i had just had parker (i think that was the timetable?). i am soooo glad she wrote me. i had to see the face behind the words, and i was hooked immediately. the friendship began! sara parents with such care and thought. there are times when i’m parenting my own and i think, “what would sara do?” – and then, i shoot her a lengthy email to which she lovingly responds! she doesn’t half-ass the job and you come away from her blog refreshed and wanting to fully own your role. i cannot wait to meet sara one day and talk to her for hours.}
sara says:
i’ve never been a career-sy girl. as far back as i can remember, i wanted to be a mom when i grew up. it took me a little while to realize that about myself, though. actually, it’s more like it took me a little while to be at peace with it.
i never had the big ah-ha, this-is-what-i-want-to-be moment. i never chose a major and felt my life’s purpose start to unfold with each passing semester. i never worked my way up a corporate ladder to achieve my career goals. sure i went to school, had a job in my field and even enjoyed it. but i never felt like it fit me. it just didn’t fulfill me to any measurable degree and i could never quite pinpoint why it all didn’t matter to me like it seemed to with co-workers and friends. i thought i had to have aspirations beyond “just being a mom”, that “just being a mom” somehow wasn’t enough. but as the years went on, it slowly became more and more clear to me. that was exactly what i wanted.
i never had the big ah-ha, this-is-what-i-want-to-be moment. i never chose a major and felt my life’s purpose start to unfold with each passing semester. i never worked my way up a corporate ladder to achieve my career goals. sure i went to school, had a job in my field and even enjoyed it. but i never felt like it fit me. it just didn’t fulfill me to any measurable degree and i could never quite pinpoint why it all didn’t matter to me like it seemed to with co-workers and friends. i thought i had to have aspirations beyond “just being a mom”, that “just being a mom” somehow wasn’t enough. but as the years went on, it slowly became more and more clear to me. that was exactly what i wanted.
they say being a mother is the most important job in the world. it’s such a cliché, right? but, for me, it’s true. it wasn’t until i became a mom that i felt like i’d hit my stride in life. that i’d found my purpose, that i was doing what i was meant to be doing. the feeling of knowing i’m on the right path that had eluded me for years was suddenly so all encompassing. being a mom is the most important thing in the world to me. every single day i feel so fortunate to be able to be what i am, and what i love to be: a mom.
{alison has been a friend of mine since middle school. oh yeah, we’re going way back. i’m so grateful to have a handful of friends from way back when and alison is one of the best. there’s something comforting about the shared history together. we were pregnant at the same time and i’m so thrilled to be a mom with her. though we’re separated by many states, there’s often a stream of text messages and a forthcoming plan to meet in nyc for a few weekends. when we’re together, we’re right back in our groove like no time has passed. alison is a devoted mom and we have so much in common.}
alison says:
Being a mom is a privilege that brings something new and beautiful to my life everyday. It surprises me, brings unimaginable joy, brings me to my knees, makes me want to scream, and leaves me shaking my head and giving my husband the “what do we do now?” look. And sometimes I think, “am I cut out for this? Who am I?!” But every morning when she wakes up and hugs me with a hug that says “never let me go” I know, I was meant for this. Oh yeah, and she was at our wedding. Sorry I’m not sorry!
{bron lives in australia with her beautiful family. i came across her blog a few years ago and have checked in ever since. she has a beautiful aesthetic, and celebrates being a mom over on her blog on a nearly daily basis. and side note, check out the eyes on her littlest. that little girl is gorgeous. i was also thrilled to be sharing in the sling diaries with bron!}
bron says:
I don’t always find parenting easy, but being a mum to me means being given the privilege to love. Being loved is wonderful too, but loving them is second to none. It also means I get to play with fun kids toys and read picture books for way longer than would otherwise be socially acceptable. Bonus.
{shannon is one of those women who just does it all, does it all well, and you’re pretty sure that she just has more hours in her day than the rest of us! i’ve known shannon for several years now and i’m always struck by how thoughtful she is (i.e. she sends me an anniversary card when steve and i don’t even get each other one!) and how willing she is to laugh at herself. she just became a mom of TWO as well!}
shannon says:
Motherhood is letting go of what you can’t control. It is also getting out of the way so your kids have room to build their sibling bond — even when that means dirty toddler hands on precious newborn faces. This scene between my two sons has become a near daily experience in our house. A simple, gentle touch which makes my heart explode with joy (and cringe a tiny bit) every single time.
{lauren recently joined the ranks of motherhood and has done so with such ease and grace. from her trips to portobello road in london to various beautiful eateries, she seems to be coasting through so beautifully with her lovely little viola by her side. her road to becoming a mom made me both ache and rejoice with her. if you haven’t been checking her out, you should be now!}
lauren says:
Motherhood is the most vulnerable you’ll ever make yourself. From the moment you see those two lines on that pregnancy stick to the moment you first hold your baby- your heart will never feel so fragile and yet completely satisfied.
{casey’s posts are always from the heart, intimate, and personal. she freely talks about her fears, her insecurities, her love for being a mom and wife. she embraces the role so beautifully and after having met her in person, it’s obvious that she means every word. she loves those kids with every part of her. i’m glad moms like her exist.}
casey says:
Being a mama forever gave me a love & purpose that I never knew existed. It’s forever to have your heart walking around outside your body. The fear and love that comes with being a mom is so powerful, there are days that I barely know how to manage it. A forever gift.
More beautiful women! Great selection Bridget! They are all both beautiful outside, but the inside as well!
thanks annie!
Oh I will never get any work done as these mamas are all SO Beautiful and I can't wait to look into their lives via their blogs….been following Shannon's blog for some time now too and she is an inspiration! Thank You so much for sharing all these, off to read more now!!!
have a cup of tea and escape into each of these blogs tonight! 🙂
Yay Liz! There are so many great blogs here. Bridget picked some real gems, honored to be apart of them.
so. this one made me emotional. i dont know why. I am not a mom. But seeing a few of my all time favorite moms (Ahnika, Lauren, Anna) it just made me well up with such pride for these truly amazing women. I admire them, and aspire to be like them one day.
i know. warm fuzzies here too. xoxo
this is beautiful!! i am a new mother and this was just soo touching!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
thanks sandy! and congratulations!!
i got misty-eyed too. the whole "it takes a village" thing really hit me. i'm thankful to have so many of you to have gone before me so when it's my turn i have such a fantastic village to help me out. looking forward to joining your ranks. (:
it's true. you're a part of it too! love ya girl.
whoa. Sara is gorgeous.
tell me about it.
sillies!! just seeing this as i'm finally getting to the computer to comment on this RAD series that i'm so stoked to be a part of!! xoxoxooxox
i love this series. you inspire me so much, and it's so neat to see a compilation of your inspirations, too! thank you for always sharing so candidly.
thanks so much marie!
Jenny (from the first post), Ahnika and your sister Kate…3 blogs I so enjoyed that have left the blogging world. 🙁 When are they coming back?!?
These were such sweet posts, Bridget! Thanks for another great read!
ME TOO. i'm not sure any of 'em will be back 🙁
this series is so great – not only do i love hearing from other mamas but it's a great way to get myself amped up for mothers day. since i'm pretty much responsible for planning (not complaining, just saying…:)) it helps to have some reminders about what the day is all about (and a reminder to celebrate my mama too!!)
i love this space!
liz
http://frecklesinthefog.com
I love this post. And thanks for mentioning the non-moms out there. : )
great post! this will be my first mother's day and i am so looking forward to it! dare i say, even more so than my birthday in july. for some reason it seems so much more meaningful.
So sweet. Loved reading these. Can't wait to be a mama one day!!
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honoured to be a part of this fabulous group of mamas! thanks for including me Bridget, you know I'm a ginormous fan of your tales 🙂 x