Grateful Heart

Feeling grumpy today, so I thought I would do 2 things to cheer myself up: (a) think of ten things for which I am grateful, and (b) LIST THEM!

Without further ado, I am grateful for...

10) The Internet. Over the last 12 years I have been able to learn more about the world, people I love, and myself because the Internet allows for easy and inexpensive communication. It can be my #1 time-waster, but as long as I'm careful about that, it makes my life richer.

9) The Montessori Method. The Secret of Childhood has been revealed to me, my husband, and our children through Maria Montessori's love for God and children and her method of education. I spend a lot less days wallowing in Mommy-Guilt because my children attend the best Montessori school around!

8) Attachment Parenting (or whatever "they" are calling it these days!). Again, another reason my visits to the Land of Mommy-Guilt are few and far-between. I like to say that we are raising our children with no (OK, few?) regrets.

7) A roof over my family's head. There are so very many families who do not have a real home or a home in a safe place. I can get too caught up in the worry of what is lacking in my home (i.e. not enough space, scuffed floors, etc) instead of seeing the beauty that it contains (my husband and our children).

6) Food, water, heat, and electricity. (Yes, I am lumping "the basic needs" together. Gotta problem with that? Fine, I'll throw in sunshine, as well!) I am blessed to live in a country that makes it comparatively easy to have access to all of these things on a consistent basis.

5)  Coffee. Have I mentioned that I have six kids? This is the fuel that enables me to keep my head above water. This is the numero uno item on every shopping list. Every morning, the first thing that I think of after my feet hit the floor is, "Keurig. Half-and-half. Splenda.". Not kidding. Even a little bit.

4) My car. Yes, this is materialistic, I can't help it. I heart my Chevy Suburban, with leather seats, remote start, and exactly enough seats for all the behinds in this crazy family.

3) My Treasures on Earth and in Heaven, my children. As one of our parish priests once told me, each child is an "account" you open in Heaven; the children you have on earth are mainly "deposit only", but the "accounts" in Heaven are full of graces that are to be withdrawn as soon as you ask! I will never do or have anything in this life that will equal to raising my kids. I am so very proud of all of them!

2) My Beloved. No sarcasm. My husband is my Beloved in every way. I am deeply, madly in love with this man. He is my best friend. We have been in love for almost 20 years, and married for nearly 17 of those years. Every year that passes brings us to a deeper, truer, more understanding and sacrificial love for each other. And, if he ticks me off after I write this, his dinner will be served in the alley behind our home. Kidding. No, I'm not.

1) My God. I was blessed to be born a Catholic and raised in a devoutly Catholic family. My Faith has saved me in more ways than I care to remember, or will ever know about, perhaps. God loves me and blesses me every minute of every day, even when I know He's laughing at my temper tantrums. (Yes, I still have those. I'm Irish. I was born with red hair.) I know that I would not even have the luxury of complaining about my blessings without the grace of God.

What are the things for which you are most grateful today?

Who's Your Baby-Mama?

Bet you thought I was talking about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Nope.
Maybe Jerry Springer or Maury?
Wrong again!

Lately, when I hear the words, "baby-mama", a much different thought pops into my head. My nearly-16 month-old son has a fairly good vocabulary (doesn't walk yet, but he sure can tell us what he wants!). For the past couple weeks I have been enjoying his efforts to repeat the words he hears: "Nuh-Nana" for Banana, "Ming" for Swimming, "Mo-Uck" for his combination of a loud motor and a truck, "Hi Baby!" (this one is really clear and totally hilarious when he says it to strangers!).
He's getting to the point where he's willing to try more difficult sounds and even some short sentences, so yesterday I thought I'd try something sweet and meaningful: "I Love You".

Mom: "Hey, Buddy.... I LOVE YOU."

Baby Boy, nestling his head on my shoulder: "Baby-Mama."

Mom, a little more pointedly: "Sweetie, I LOVE YOU."

Baby Boy: "Baby-Mama!"

Mom: "I LOVE YOU. Now YOU say it!"

Baby Boy, snuggling close and smiling: "BABY-MAMA!"

And, then something clicked. Not for my son, but for me: "Baby-Mama" is the absolute best way he can think of to express what love means to him.

"Mama" was the first "home" that "Baby" was ever aware of, his safe nest. "Mama" was "Baby's" source of warmth, nourishment, and comfort before he was born and even now.

"Mama's" eyes are the eyes that "Baby" gazes into while he nurses.

"Mama's" hands are the hands that give "Baby" his favorite snacks and toys.

"Mama's" voice sings "Baby's" favorite song, "Baby Beluga", when he is tired or bored.

"Mama's" arms cuddle "Baby" to sleep at night.

Without words, from the time my son was aware of his existence, he learned what love meant from his mother. We all did.

What an awesome compliment my small child paid me yesterday. What a tremendously joyful obligation, as well.

What better way for my son to tell me he loved me, how much he loved me by saying these two simple words together: Baby-Mama.

So, why don't you call your Mama, and tell her, in your very special way: "Baby-Mama". She'll know just what you mean!