To say it has been a long week would be a gross understatement. I have been flying around the Midwest for work all week, and spending much time since returning home enjoying my family and my home, which I have not been able to do since last Sunday! I have a million thoughts to share as well; a list of blog topics grew in my mind as I went, with no time to release it.
Being away from the kids is both incredibly difficult and rather easy. There is, after all, no toddler climbing into bed and kicking you in the face at 2 in the morning; there is no perpetual 5am wake up call. But, at the same time, there is no ridiculously amazing voice squealing your name or sweet baby snuggling up to you and planting a huge open-mouth kiss on your cheek, tongue and all. Eric’s voice sounded…different to me when I got back, and I found myself wondering if it had changed or if I had just been around adults so much I’d forgotten that toddler inflection. Danny has discovered /h/ as a sound, and when we do a loud “ha ha ha!” he comes back with this adorable baby “hehehehe” giggle trying to mimic.
I find myself having missed watching cartoons all week.
I think it’s only fitting, now that I’m settling back into life as Mommy after spending a week away, that I step up to Lucas’Mommy’s tag and share 5 things I love about being a mom.
I love the discoveries that we make daily. Nothing is more amazing to me than to watch one of my kids discover something, the pure awe and amazement in their faces. There is a quote out there that goes something to the tune of “As we teach our kids about life, they show us what life is really about.” It could not be more true: I have learned so much simply looking at the world through their eyes. I could watch them play and never get bored.
I love their smiles. Both of my kids are still young, still at the age where their emotions are unfettered, and their joy is pure. When they smile, it lights up their whole face, and I can’t help smiling along with them.
I love the way they greet me when I pick them up at the end of the day. Eric gives a giant “MOMMY!!!” and rushes toward me, then hugs my legs and tells everyone “This is MY mommy” protectively, as though they will try to steal me away. As though they could. Danny sees me and just lights up, finding a way - any way - to crawl right at me and try to climb into my arms with his excited “ha - ha - ha - ha” noise.
I love seeing my husband be a daddy. He is an incredible father, and seeing how much he loves the boys, and how much they love him, takes my breath away and opens up a whole new level on which I love him. Which brings me to my last one…
I love how my love just grows exponentially. I always thought it was cheesy when someone said that their heart grew, their love grew. I had no idea. I can’t even put it into words.
Rather than tag forward, I challenge everyone who has children, with or without a blog: what do you love about being a mom? Post about it. Think about it. Time away has made me really think about the things that matter to me, and it’s made it easier to accept the daily struggles. I think it does everyone good to take a step back every now and then and remind us what the important things are.
