I actually do love pie

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie."  ~Tenneva Jordan

So, I grew up with an awareness of the above quote and always just thought it was a sweet little quote about how mom's can just be so...nice.

And, as you know, I'm a mom now. And I don't always feel so... nice. It's shed a little light on that sweet little quote and you know something? I don't think it's really talking about pie after all.

No, it's actually putting very kindly the reality of motherhood. The list is long for a new mom. 

I mean...

I never really cared for...sleeping...or sleeping all the hours in one solid row (that's so boring!)...or sleeping without a wriggling baby attached to my body...

I never really cared for...showering... or having nice smelling arm pits...or getting dressed before 2pm...or going to the bathroom...or going to the bathroom without holding another person in my arms...(which can be slightly tricky, but I've done it!)

Yes, things really do change and there's no going back. 

I choose not to blame my children for their needs and wants. I would be heartbroken if my babies ever thought they had to change just to please me. In many ways, I welcome this challenge. I can literally see the notch marks on the door frame where I'm marking the growth of my heart.

That's the most important part of that sweet little quote...a mother sacrifices and goes without all the while making it look like it was all her idea to begin with (even though she's probably having a pity party in her head). Not to lose heart however, because on the other side of the pity party is a wealth of growth and love and joy. And she knows that someday (hopefully) her children will understand, as time makes way for wisdom and they become parents of their own.

No, all is not lost for a mother. Let's not fail to mention this super top secret truth: all mothers wait for the moments they can revel once again...(those moments DO come)...it's when we make it to the grocery store alone and stop on the way home for our own gosh darn slice of pie!