Taking your children to the park in the wind, even though the wind makes your ear hurt.

Taking your daughters to lunch and to a movie, even though you are sick and cranky and you’d liked to have stayed in bed. Because you’ve realized in the past few months, that only having your kids half the time means that you need to suck it up and enjoy the time with them.

Ignoring the fact that you swore no children would ever sleep with you, each night at 2am when a certain cuddly five year old climbs into your bed.

Laughing at the thoughts about parenting that you had before actually bringing said children home.

Going and getting your son out of his crib at 7am on a Sunday. Not because you want to be up, nor because he wouldn’t have played in the crib. No, you do it because you like that quiet one on one time with your toddler. Also? You seriously hope that he already hasn’t woken up his sisters with his chatter.

Being willing to learn new skills, such as giving your toddler three M&M’s while you clip his toenails and clean out his ears. Being thrilled when this keeps the screaming away. (Thanks Liz.)

Knowing that after eight and a half years of parenthood, you still can learn new parenting skills.

Forgiving yourself for yelling at a grouchy child, when you were grouchy as well. It also means apologizing to said child when she gets home from school.

Being a mom means trying your best and knowing sometimes your best isn’t good enough. However being a mom also means, you get to try again tomorrow.