First, I will tell you a bit about myself. I am sure I will share more as time goes on, but i will give you a brief background to go off of. My name is Karly Stoddard. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon to a wonderful family. I love music, dance, travel, and the outdoors. I met the love of my life, Chris Stoddard April of 2013 and was lucky enough to marry him for Time and All Eternity in the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple on October 12, 2013. We are both currently attending Brigham Young University - Idaho and are expecting our first bundle of joy due to arrive September 15th. We could not be any happier or more excited.
Since the main purpose of this blog is to document and share the happenings of my life, specifically pertaining to my children, what a better time to make my first post than on this wonderful holiday dedicated to the celebration of mothers?
A question that has been on my mind the last few days is whether or not I 'qualify' to be celebrated on mothers day. Yes, I have a baby boy that I am carrying around at all times, who loves to kick me in the bladder. He controls whether I feel sick or not, and when I have to use the bathroom. He makes me eat ridiculous things like 4 bowls of lucky charms, 3 snickers, and way too much fruit. He is my son, and I love him. But does this really make me mom? Is it really so automatic? Is conception all that is required to receive such an exalted and divine title? This question has lead me to deeply ponder the definition and meaning behind the title 'MOM.'
According to Google, a mother is a woman who brings up a child with care and affection, who looks after others kindly and protectively, sometimes excessively so. She looks after, cares for, takes care of, nurses, protects, tends, raises, and rears. Here are some attributes of a mother that I would like to add to that definition...
Being a mom is a 24/7 job. It is the hardest job that exists. A mom is selfless, patient, and loving. She cooks, cleans, entertains, heals, guides, teaches, and plays. She listens to you cry about mean kids, crushes, homework, owies, and all other things in the world. She listens to our complaints, solves our problems, and stays up late to help us finish our science project that we procrastinated until 11:00 the night before, then she brings it to you at school the next day because you forgot it since you took too much time doing your hair and had to rush out the door to catch the bus. She reads to her children and rocks them to sleep. She comforts, entertains, and is a full time nurse/band-aid keeper/boo-boo kisser. She knows everything there is to know and has eyes in the back of her head. She is playful, funny, intuitive, strong, faithful, and virtuous. She guides her children. She teaches and directs them. She is not perfect; she makes mistakes, gets mad, and cries, but she does her best to take care of the child she knows her Heavenly Father has entrusted her with. She is the greatest example and teacher anyone could ask for. She has earned, and rightfully deserves the most divine and exalted titled any woman could ever receive - 'MOM!'
With that being said, there are no words to express my love and gratitude for the mother figures in my life, but i will try.
First, and foremost, is my beautiful mother who has lead me to become who I am today. She has been the greatest example to me in so many ways. She has taught me through her faith, patience, diligence and service. She brought me life and taught me to cherish it. She is the most Christlike and selfless woman i know. She is my best friend, and I love her with all of the love a child could possibly possess. Thank you, Eve, for being my mommy. Happy mothers day!
Second, is my wonderful mother-in-law. She brought life to and raised the most valiant and faithful man I have ever met. She taught her children the gospel, to hold and cherish the priesthood, to serve, and to love one another. She did this through her faithful example. She is patient, gentle, and selfless. She is beautiful inside and out and is one of the greatest examples of a valiant women. Thank you, Carla, for being my husbands mommy. I love you. Happy mothers day!
Last, but not least, are all the other mother figures in my life. Whether you have children or not, you have nurtured and taught me. You are my friends, my sisters, my leaders, and my neighbors. You have been an example to me of the kind of woman and mother I aspire to be. I love you all so very much. So, to all the women in my life, Happy mothers day!
Overall, I have decided that I would dedicate this day to celebrating those women who have been mother figures to me. I love you. I cherish you. I celebrate you. However, going back to my original thought: do I deserve to be celebrated this mothers day? My conclusion: YES!!! Not because of the homemade cards, breakfast in bed, chocolate or flowers. I choose to celebrate my motherhood because I am a mom. I have brought life to this amazing miracle of a boy inside my tummy. I nurture him, I sing to him, I pray for him, and I eagerly look forward to the day I get to hold him, pull the spaghetti from his hair, kiss his scraped knees, and rock him to sleep after a long hard day of play. I fully intend to follow the examples of the amazing mothers I know and to become the best mommy I can be. The Lord has entrusted me with one of his valiant children to raise and nurture, and THAT is why I deserve to be celebrated this day. THAT is why I deserve the most divine and exalted title that anyone could ever receive - "MOM!"
It’s the highest, holiest service assumed by humankind. It’s the definition of selfless service. It’s both a daunting responsibility and a glorious opportunity. The divine role of motherhood is a gift from God, and key to His plan of happiness for all His children. #ItwasMom
