I am grateful to be a mom to these amazing boys.

I remember clearly the day I first heard the little heartbeat of my oldest I knew God had trusted me with the responsibility of caring for him. It was heavy and I desired to do the best I knew how even though I felt so inadequate. I wanted to be everything my kids needed to help encourage and support them to live their life to their fullest potential.

I have made many mistakes in my journey as a mom including a shelf full of “mom fail” trophies but I know that I am exactly what my boys need right now as a mom, imperfections included. And in return I have learned more from them.

It is my boys that teach me more about God and a tiny bit of how much love, optimism and forgiveness He has for me.

Being a mom has magnified my weaknesses yet encouraged and pushed me to want to be better. I pray every day to be in tune with their needs and I have had some remarkable teaching experiences because of it.

When the rug was pulled out from underneath us it was my boys needs that kept me going everyday. It was their faces I’d see that helped me make difficult choices to fight harder than I knew I was capable. It was their arms that held me as I cried and their encouraging words that kept me functioning. It was their notes, prayers and optimism to feel and see the blessings in even the darkest times that snapped me back into reality. It’s their fierce love and loyal support to me and eachother especially when I was too numb to feel that make them my angels.

Those that know me have seen I am their biggest fans but I am so proud to be their mom and call each of them my son. I genuinely have fun and love to laugh with them. I admire them and the value they bring to my life ever single day. They are my heroes! They are mine!

Marni Bown @marnibown #givethanks #momofallboys #giftofmotherhood #thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #lds #betrayaltrauma #hope #ptsd #divorce