MY ODE TO MOTHERHOOD

Mother's Day has always been a love/hate day for me. I love paying tribute to my mom and those around me who are such awesome examples of "loving maternal wonderfulness", but I hate the fact that I always feel like my shortcomings in the "loving maternal wondefulness" department are glaringly obvious on this day. I know this isn't a foreign feeling for lots of moms out there and we tend to be hard on ourselves, so I decided to do a little blog about moms I admire and what I have learned from them.

JUNE CLEAVER: This is my first recoliction of what I thought the perfect mom should be. I loved her stylish aprons and the way she was always cooking in the kitchen. Those of you who know me well know that I have totally embraced the stylish apron part of this mom, but continue to have trouble finding the kitchen.

HARRIETT NELSON: I always loved how Harriett smiled and rolled her eyes at her husbands antics and I asked myself many times "I wonder how she ever decided to marry a man like that" and promised myself that when I got married my husband would be more "Cary Grantish" than "Ozzie Nelsonish". Well, after many years I have truly come to appreciate my own Ozzie Nelson and his undying loyalty.

LUCY RICARDO: What can I say- there have been way to many times that I felt my life was an episode of "I Love Lucy". I only wish that I had a laugh track that was playing as those things were happening! I learned from watching her that there is nothing better than having a friend by your side when you get into a jam!

CAROL BRADY: Okay, really, did she not have the coolest clothes and hair out there of any mom on TV? I decided when I watched her that I too would always wear stylish clothes and have the best hair- unfortunately the only thing I have had in commen with Carol as a mom is that we both drove station wagons!

ROSEANNE CONNER: Okay, I know she was a totally heinous mother most of the time, but she really loved her family and was there for them. She may not have been the best homemaker at times, and tended to scream a bit- wow, did I get that part down- but she always knew when one of her kids needed to talk.

SAMANTHA STEVENS: There really was no one who could wiggle their nose better and get out of a jam or help her husband, but some of the best times on "Bewitched" were when she didn't use witchcraft. She taught me that you can try and wiggle your way out of things, but sometimes it takes just plan old hardwork! But it'd be so cool.....

NORA WALKER: For those of you who don't watch "Brothers & Sisters", you are missing some great TV mom moments. She is constantly managing her adult children's lives- sometimes too much- but always with the very best of intentions. I have been uncomfortable at times watching Nora, but it has helped me to see that sometimes you just need to let go- only sometimes though!

Okay, so these last two moms aren't TV moms, but real life moms. Both of them I hold in the highest regard and have found myself at times wondering what they would do in a situation I'm in- really!

BARBARA BUSH: She is such a great example of love and loyalty. I remember when her son was running for President and she put a reporter in his place who was asking rude questions. She is smart, classy, and loyal to her children and grandchildren. And really, can anyone wear a triple strand of pearls better than her?

MARJORIE HINCKLEY: One of my best memories is going to Women's Conference at BYU and listening to sweet Sister Hinckley and her daughters talk. She had such joy about her- whether about her children, grandchildren, husband, or life- that was so special to see. She had a testimony and sureness about the gospel that you knew she cherished- and she loved nothing better than to laugh and tell stories about her husband!

So I have come to the end of my very long Ode to Motherhood- but before I do, I want to pay tribute to the moms in my life:

-My daughter Mandy (and soon Chels!) for doing such a geat job and seeming to love doing it!
-My own mom and mother-in-law for helping to teach me how to handle a baby!
-My sisters who not only have mothered their own children but have helped with mine!
-Our sweet little nieces who are so fun to watch with their children
-My daughter's Mother's-in-law: Fran, Leslie, Karen, and Lisa. Thank you for raising righteous young men who served missions and were able to take my daughters to the temple!
-My friends who love my girls, support me in so many ways, and help me be a better mom!

So Happy Mother's Day- love you all!