Today I had several of what I term "mommy moments". These are moments in the day when you stop and think, "Wow, this is what being a mom is really about." Some highlights:
Sitting on the couch watching Julia play make-believe using some of the wooden flowers she has ripped off of her bedroom wall. Momentarily annoyed at this, I suddenly stop and really look at her. Wow. I remember distinctly painting each of those little wooden flowers while I was pregnant with her. I painstakingly created different designs, alternating colors so as to best stimulate the baby's growing mind, working to make them look as beautiful and as perfect as I dreamed that this little girl growing inside of me would be. I had already had two boys, and had frankly given up hope of ever having a little girl, when God surprised me with this dream come true. I did so much to prepare for her, buying little pink clothes, decorating her nursery in girly colors, even making two hanging butterflies from those little latch hook kits you can buy at Michael's. But my favorite thing was making those flowers and carefully putting each one in just the right place around her room. And now the day that I had dreamed of while I was creating them had arrived. I have this perfect, beautiful, angelic child, blond haired and blue eyed like I dreamed her, sweetly pretending to plant those very flowers among our couch cushions. Wow. This is what being a mom is all about.
Bending down to kiss my two-month old Jadey lady. I kiss her lightly on her tiny sweet lips. At this moment, she spits up, directly into my mouth. I erupt into laughter, congratulating her on her perfect timing, as I spit and wipe my mouth on my sleeve. Yeah, this is what being a mom is all about, too.
I sit beside my daughter's bed, getting ready to read her a bedtime story. She has chosen a book of bible songs that she often likes me to sing to her. The boys come in to tell her goodnight. "Can I sing, too?" Joshua asks. "Of course!" I respond, opening the book wide so he can follow along. Soon I find myself surrounded by voices as Jeremy, Jacob, Joshua and I all sing "Do Lord" "I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in My Heart" and "This Little Light of Mine" to a wide-eyed toddler. The book finished, my eight and nine year old sons bend down to kiss their two year old sister goodnight before quietly filing out the door. My God, You have blessed me with these children. Wow.
