We have our winners.  Thanks for all your participation and voting.  Even with 13 entries, these 4 photos garnered more than 50% of the total vote.  The following photos were elected as the best representation of this quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard:

“Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”

3rd place, Helen, with 12% of the total vote:

Helen said:  “It’s my mum and my sister just after my sister went through the temple before her mission.  She is now serving a nursing mission in Panama.” I have a soft spot in my heart for women who serve missions (especially Spanish-speaking ones) and moms who help them get there.  I admit it, standing with my children on the steps of the temple will be a moment of ultimate satisfaction.

Tied for 2nd place, with 14% of the total vote each,

Liana:

Liana said about this photo: “The picture doesn’t do the mess justice, but you get the general idea, and yes, those are packing peanuts.” Personally, my favorite part about this photo is the printed quote in the quarter.  It’s evidence of a mom trying to do good and play many roles, only to be thwarted by her children.  Oh, how I get it.

Charlotte:

Charlotte explained that this photo respresented “satisfaction and joy moments” to her.  I couldn’t agree more.  When we see our children showing love and tenderness, especially to each other, we can’t help but think we must be doing something right.

The 1st place winner, with 20% of the votes,

Velda:

When Velda submitted her photo, she said, “This one’s my favorite.” Well, it’s obviously our favorite too, Velda.  It embodies both the joy and exhaustion of motherhood in one beautiful image.

Thank you to everyone who participated.  All 13 of the photos together were a beautiful testimony of the ups and downs of motherhood, with an underlying theme of joy.  Every single one received several votes and was meaningful to others.  I loved seeing them all and recognizing how much in common we mothers share– in our feelings, in our experiences, and in our mission.

If you’re a winner, please send me an email with your address and I’ll send you (or deliver if you’re close) a small prize.  You’re all welcome to steal that beautiful trophy at the top of this post and display it proudly on your own blog.  Let me know if you need help with some html code to do that, and I’ll try to figure it out.  Velda will have a place of honor on my sidebar for a season.

Happy Monday to all, and here’s to a week of joyful mothering.