Since it was Mother's Day, I was given the gift of a little time to myself. So I read, had a few uninterrupted thoughts, and napped. During this time of reflection I began to think about my life as a mother. I came up with my top nine things I like about being a mommy. I really wanted a Top Ten, but my time of reflection came to a sudden halt with two crying children.
I want to preface this list with a comment for those of you who don't know us as well as our families and close friends. Our family has ups and downs just like any other. We have wonderful days, and we have days where I want to hide under the covers. Many days I feel like I do nothing but discipline and clean up messes. I am completely exhausted by 8:30 every night. I would love to sit and read a good book; go to a mall...alone...and roam; eat my food while it is still hot; and watch a movie from beginning to end without being interrupted, falling asleep, or feeling guilty.
With that said, here is my 2010 Top Nine Things I Love About Being a Mom (in no particular order, I am too tired to think that hard!)
1. The live performances. I love the theatre, the ballet, a good musical...in fact I once had season tickets to the Opera. Now I get to see Magic Shows, Dance Shows, and as you see pictured here, traveling bands.
2. Sharing in new experiences. The other day at 6:30 am, Katherine came running into my bathroom excitedly yelling "Mommy! mommy! come here" she took my hand, ran to the window, pulled open the shudders and said, "look it's a rainbow in the sky! See? Blue and purple and orange... but no yellow (pronounced lello) but that's okay (yellow is her favorite)." Actually it was the sunrise, I suppose the first she had truly seen. I stopped what I was doing and we sat and watched the sunrise and colors change together.
3. Creativity. I never know what the bunch is going to do next. House boat? Moving? Yard Sale? Have a wedding? This morning they were building a kitchen. The other day they were eating lunch under their chairs... evidently there was a big storm coming; this is a picture of "Moving Day" it took about 15 minutes to make this mess.
4. I am constantly learning. Like today for instance. We visited a church for the first time. They had a little children's sermon in the middle of the service. It brought back memories of my childhood...which obviously clouded my decision making. We sent all the kids up onto the stage. Steve questioned if Katherine should go. I said sure! Evidently I was wrong. We were about half way back and I could tell she was getting wiggly. Then her head disappeared. I began praying real fast that she was not crawling under the pews to get to us. That was about the time I saw the pastor, who happened to be seated on the front row...in front of her...bending down...farther and farther, then he began speaking to someone who was obviously on the floor. Thankfully, the little sermon came to a close and she left the sanctuary smiling with Joshua on one side and Lydia holding tight to the other.
5. Fun. Play-doh. Bubbles. Tea parties. Hide and Seek. Salt painting. Coloring. Swinging. Dance parties. Silly books. Painting toenails. Just fun things that as adults we get too busy to do.
6. Being a mom encourages me to be in the Word. I have lots of parenting books, but the Bible is by far the best. Seeing how they are bent toward sin and encouraging and guiding them how to recognize it and resist it has only made my own sin nature more evident to me! Whether it is selfishness, speaking harshly, or being judgemental...as I turn to the Scripture to guide them, it also guides me.
7. Watching Steve. I love to see Steve turn into the tickle monster and chase the squealing and screaming kids all over the house. I love how he carries them to bed each night. They all have their favorite "carries". Joshua likes the military carry, Katherine likes the baby carry, and Lydia likes the upside-down piggy back ride.
8. More Learning. My mom was not half as crazy as I thought she was.
9. Cuddle-buggin'. That's what we call it around here.
