by Cheryl Oliver

Created on: August 20, 2008   Last Updated: May 11, 2011

It is no small thing when one so fresh from God loves us. Those words mean so much to me. When I look into the eyes of my new son, or his brothers and sisters, I know why I was placed on this Earth. I was born to be a mommy. I have made the personal choice to have a career, work hard and earn money. My career has been very rewarding. But nothing can compare to motherhood.

For me, motherhood began the first time I heard Kelsey's heartbeat on the ultrasound machine. The love I shared with my husband created a new life. Wow. As I felt her grow inside of me, kicking me and causing extreme heartburn, there was a bond forming. An unbreakable bond grew daily, until finally we were able to meet face to face. It felt like us against the world as I pushed through labor hour upon hour. When at last I heard her cry, and she felt my skin, snuggling into the warmth, the familiar sound of my heartbeat in her ears.

Kelsey is a teenager now, but she'll always be my baby girl. We've been through the best of times and the worst. There were many times when she helped me through some pretty big struggles without even knowing it. At first I thought that I loved her so much that I shouldn't have any more kids, because I certainly didn't have any love left over. Of course, that proved to be wrong.

When Riley was born, we shared that same amazing bond. Growing together through pregnancy, struggling together though labor and holding each other, smelling each other and smiling the most honest smiles ever. My eyes well with tears as I type, just remembering those special moments, and now feeling my heart swell with pride at the mere site of my daughters.

After the girls were born, I had three sons - Roman, Cooper and Luke. Each of them beautiful, healthy and perfect. They love their mom, and I love them back more than words can explain.

Each day is not perfect, motherhood is not always blissful. But it is an experience like no other. Watching my children grow and realize their full potential has been life's greatest reward. No career or financial success can compare. The idea that I had a part in creating such amazing little humans still floors me. Thank you God for this opportunity. Thank you for my daughters and my sons. Thank you for giving me the capacity to love them more than I love myself and for the patience it sometimes takes just to get through dinner and homework!

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