Disclaimer-this was written 4 years ago.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I share with you my very first attempt at submitting an essay for publication.

It was not chosen, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.

And it’s pretty much my heart.

Hope you like it!

I adore being a mother, a mommy, a mama, even a mimi, which is what one of my toddlers has opted to call me.

I’ve always wanted to be a mom. I had my children’s names picked out before I ever started dating.

I despaired at the ripe old age of 17 because I was certain I would never marry & start a family.

I managed to marry young & divorce without becoming a mother.

That was a good thing.

A few years later I remarried & quickly got pregnant. I was 30 when I had my sweet Emma. I desperately wanted to give her a sibling. My husband desperately did not. After time, I made peace with that decision.

I threw myself into being her mom. Pedicures, princess tea parties, 4 wheeler rides, story time at the library, devotions every night. So much love and attention poured into my girl. Room mom, team mom, substitute teacher in her school, helicopter parenting at its finest!

Fast forward, I am one month shy of my 40th birthday.

My period is late.

It’s never late.

Advanced maternal age, declared the doctor.

Such a nice phrase for, “mommy is old!”

My 10 week ultrasound reveals I’m actually 12 weeks pregnant.

Yay! Oh, and I’m having twins.

Today I am 3 years into raising a set of adorable twin girls with the middle names Faith & Grace.

My husband is almost over the shock of our new normal.

The Lord knew what He was doing when He orchestrated me having a 10 year old when the twins were born.

She is beyond amazing with them.

I am so very thankful for this new normal.

I Never imagined that I would be 43, raising a teenager & a set of 3 year olds.

Dragging a double stroller & enough fruit snacks & playdoh to entertain every kid in sight to every softball field in a 100 mile radius so I can still hover over my firstborn.

Dragging a reluctant older sister to the Walmart so I don’t have to fight the good fight in the grocery store alone. Giving bonus points to all the Judgy McJudgersons who assume I’m the grandma & Emma is a teenage mom.

The Lord has a virtuous sense of humor.

His timing is flawless.

These girls are a blessing.

I post about them regularly on social media. If I dare to disconnect I am quickly called to task because apparently my girls are cute & I’m funny.

I have to find a way to earn money chronicling this life!

Faith and Grace, we all need some.

Being a mother, mommy, mama, even a mimi to my 3 girls is the best, scariest, most beautiful, messiest thing I have ever succeeded and failed at.

I thank the Lord every day that I get to do it. Update: this was written 4 years ago. Words still ring true!