'I am a Mother!'

So, I have been reading a plethora ('do you even know what a plethora is?' haha name that movie...) of books recently. Many of which are about parenting or motherhood. I have definitely struggled with the expectations that Mother's must 'do it all', and it is something that has hindered my growth as a Mom. Sometimes all the expectations out there really get to me! How in the world can one regular person do all those things? Thus the birth of my quest for purpose and self identification as a Mommy. I probably haven't prayed enough about what it means to the Lord to be a Mother, and honestly I know if I was more frequent and purposeful in my daily prayers I would definitely be a better Mom to my girls. That is a constant resolution of mine 'to pray more frequently'. I do however have a constant conversation with my Heavenly Father going (think 'Fiddler on the Roof' style), but I know a more formal type of prayer would be more beneficial, (there is a talk on that by Elder Wirthlin I think...) but I digress. I really wanted to talk about this book I read! It is titled I am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson. It is a wonderfully written book by a woman relatively well known in the news casting world, and an LDS Mom. She gave up what could have been a very prestigious and successful career as a news anchor to be a Mother. I never really amounted to much academically speaking, but it wasn't what she wrote pertaining to what she 'gave up', but it was what she wrote on giving value to all types of Motherhood. As a Mother I have noticed how much judgement is passed, good and bad, on every choice we make in rearing our children. Whether it is our decision to diaper with disposables, or to enroll our babies in early schooling. What pressure! It has really been wearing me down! Now those who know me could probably tell you I over think pretty much about everything (PJ just the other night mocked me, don't worry it was in a loving way, he said "You hear someone say 'How are you doing?' and you think 'Does she like me, what does she think of me, am I overly friendly, I probably was really embarrassing when I said good and told her that annoying story about the other weekend.'") Oh, why do I punish myself and overthink things all the time?! Becoming a Mother only magnified that trait of mine...it's stressful. This book and the other's I have read are helping me shape my perception on Motherhood and what realistic expectations I should have for myself. So, here's to doing what I am inspired to do that is right for my girls, and maybe giving another Mom on the way a shot of importance, because "To be a mother is a woman's greatest vocation in life. She is a partner with God. No being has a position of such power and influence. She hold in her hands the destiny of nations, for to her comes the responsibility and opportunity of molding the nation's citizens." (Spencer W. Kimball) My new mantra 'I am a Mother.'