I had a fine Mother's Day today. In many respects, it was very much a typical Sunday for us--shopping for groceries, etc., having lunch on the East side, doing laundry and other chores, and making a good supper at home. There were, however, a few things that made today really stand out.
Firstly, the first thing Sophia said to me (after shouting, "is it time to get up yet?") was "will you open your Mother's Day presents now?!" From Sophia and Madeline (thanks to Sharon), I received these two wooden picture frames, lovingly sponge-painted by the girls and glued together with
Sharon's help. The girls are so proud of these gifts! And I love them!!! I'll put a picture of Sophia in the blue frame and one of Madeline in the olive green one. I think I'll place them in my office at work; after all, I'll probably see them more there than at home.
Secondly, Neil was home! Thank goodness they don't work on Sundays.
Thirdly, my husband knows what kind of gift to get for me on Mother's Day... not flowers, not jewellery, but software! Yes, he bought the new Mac OS X Tiger and iLife '05 for me today. I installed them this afternoon and they're really cool!
Finally, Madeline used the potty or toilet successfully SIX times today, smashing all previous records!
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This headline on the front page of Friday's newspaper caught my eye today: Salary Study, Moms are worth a lot. The article said, "According to a report from Salary.com, modern moms would earn $163,852 ($131,471 US) in annual salary, including overtime, if their workload was remunerated in current market terms. The estimate takes into account the average stay-at-home mom's responsibilities, number of hours worked, and frequency of time spent on specific tasks during a typical week."
I say, absolutely! Without a doubt, the time I spend at home with my children is often more challenging and exhausting than the time I spend at work--and I do have a demanding job with plenty of responsibilities.
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I received this from a friend the other day, and so I pass it on to all of you Moms and Grandmas...
Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words
to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I
never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Spit on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests. Or
give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got
gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop
the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so
much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I
would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't
know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know
that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something
so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to
make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth. The joy. The
love. The heartache. The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
And
before I was a Grandma -
I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings
more than doubled when you see that little bundle being held by your 'baby'...
