Not The Mom of The Year, Thank You to Tina and Mary and All Who Voted!

I just had the most fun week entering a contest at Life Without Pink and The Mommyologist called, Not Mom of The Year. I met other women who also entered, and I've become fast BBF with some of them now, and they're on my daily blog visits.

The women who entered the essays are among the sweetest, most humble women I've met on the internet. The essays are all so supportive of allowing ourselves to be who we are, laughing at the recognition of being less than perfect, but affirming how being less than perfect in our ways does not diminish the love we have for our children. That came through on every entry. I wish I would've had something like this group of women when I first became a mother, I wouldn't  have had to struggle alone for so long in those early years where you're submerged in motherhood.

I remember feeling so lonely and isolated when I first became a mom, and all the moms I met seemed to have it all together... except me, I compared myself to them and fell short Every.Time. Needless to say, those were dark, unhappy times--- I know that if I had had a collective group like the fantastic women I've met this week, I wouldn't have had to go through all the days of tears and self doubt that I did. That's why this contest was one I had to enter.

As I read the essays, I thought, "I'd really like to be friends with a mom like that." And that feeling will keep me going back to those blogs, I feel like we could be friends. They get me, and I get them.

Today would be a great day to re-read the essays entered, and if you are new to the contest, these posts are a must read!

There's no way you won't return after your visits without a new friend, or the pat on the back you need to see, that there is a group of women out there for moms like me, like us, Not Moms of The Year. But Moms of The Year in the way we love our children? Absolutely.

Thank you to everyone who voted! And congrats to all the finalists, it really was an honor to be included among you. And to the women who entered, I enjoyed reading each of your entries. Your words encouraged and uplifted us, and reminded us that a bad day does not make us a bad mother. Just knowing that other moms besides you, have a day that just make you want to pull the covers up over your head about, makes it possible to keep on going. Friends make all the difference in the world, and make us happier moms.

I will display the trophy proudly and with sweet memories of the week. If anyone is feeling lonely today, or just out of sorts with the kind of day you've had yesterday, visit these posts. You'll come back smiling and belonging to a group called the Not Moms of The Year.

A HUGE Thank You to Tina and Mary for all the hours involved in creating this outlet for us to speak. I look forward to and hope for more awesome projects  from Life Without Pink and The Mommyologist like this!

Mommyologist and Life Without Pink, you make daily life better for us all. Thank you! 
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*Sorry, Baby E, you can have your day back next week. Mommy's turn today. (see...more Not Mom Evidence......)