Oh motherhood!
“Mooooooommmm?”
“Heeeeeeelllpppp!”
“Can I have rice please?” When the bowl of rice is an arm’s reach away.
“I can’t find it.” And IT (whatever IT is) is right there in front of her.
“Mommy, look!” “Mom mom, look!” “Mommy, look at me!” All at once.
“Mommy o!” “Mom, she (insert verb) me!”
“Carry!”
“Only mommy.”
“Stay here, mommy.”
“Don’t go, mommy.”
“Stay with me.” When we’ve been together ALL day, EVERY day.
“I’m scared. Can you come with me?” To the kitchen, in our house.
“Can you feed me?”
“I’m hungry.” After just having a meal.
“I’m thirsty. Can you get me water?” “I want milk.” When you’re already lying in bed.
“Mom? Mom? Mom? (tapping or shaking your arm) Can I (insert verb)? Can I have (insert noun)?” While you’re fast asleep.
“No! Please? 5 more minutes (which always translates to more)?” When you’ve already told them 5 minutes before that we’re leaving in 5 minutes.
“Aww, please mom? Can I just…..? It’s just so and so pesos. But you said….. But we haven’t…. But my friends…..” Negotiation after you’ve already answered their question.
“I don’t like the rod.”
“Mom, I don’t get it. Can you help me?” And then she’ll fight with you because she thinks you’re making it harder.
“Can you hold this?” “Can you put it in your bag?” Like the baby isn’t heavy enough.
“Awwwgh….” When you ask them to do you a tiny favor.
“Why me? I didn’t make that mess.”
“I want to buy this.” “I want to get that.”
“How come he/she (friend or cousin) is allowed?”
“Can you read with me?” When you’re already so so sleepy.
“Can you make chicken ala king and phoebe for lunch?” When it’s 30 minutes to lunch time.
“Ow, ow, oooooowwwww….” With so much tears and loud crying.
“I don’t want to sleep!”
“I don’t want to take a bath!”
“Waaaiiiit.” After the nth reminder.
“It’s so hard.” “I never get to have any fun!” “It’s always NO.” Sweeping statements of ungratefulness, even after a fun vacation.
“What if someone asks me on a date?”
“I think he has a crush on me.”
“I think he has a crush on ate.”
“He’s cute…..” If only I could put into words the sound of King, loading a shotgun. 😛
So many words, so many needs, so many wants, so many delays, so many excuses, so many arguments, so many questions. Mommy this, mommy that. These are the things that make me tired, exasperated, feel pressured, feel frustrated, and feel panicked. And at the same time, these are what make me GRATEFUL for being their mommy.
Motherhood is a joy. Quality and quantity time. Family. Fun. Games. Tickles. Piggy back rides. Laughter. Silliness. Dancing. Food. Trips. Dates. Memories. Service. Car rides. Times of house arrest. Sickness. Errands. Budget concerns. Conflicts of schedule. Conflicts of interest. Clash of personalities. Arguments. Stress. Bonding. Growing together. It’s not always great, but by the grace, love, and redemptive work of God, good always comes out of anything bad. We rest in the promise of God that as we walk in obedience to Him, we will EAT THE FRUIT OF OUR LABOR. The sacrifices we make are worth it.
Motherhood is a privilege. Secrets. Open and intimate conversations. Inside jokes. Family meetings or one-on-one talks. Sensitive topics. Senseless topics. Friends. Feelings. Hurts. Heart issues. Dreams. Likes and dislikes. Crushes. Movies. Shows. Music. Social Media. Quirks. Habits. We have the opportunity to knit a close relationship with our children. We have the privilege to be part of their lives, to KNOW them, to WATCH them, to LOVE and ENJOY them.
Motherhood is a stewardship. Teaching. Training. Listening. Learning. Discipline. Teamwork. Character building. Strengths building. Life skills. Discovering and developing talents. Discipleship. Volunteering. Church. Worship. Prayers. Faith. Bible. Wisdom. The Gospel. Loving and honoring God. God gave us captive audiences since our children were conceived in our womb. We have the opportunity to teach, inspire, impart, lead, empower, equip. We need to BE DELIBERATE in using, and not wasting, this opportunity.
Motherhood is a gift. Smiles. Hugs. Regular kisses. Eskimo kisses. Nguso kisses. Thank yous. I love yous. I miss yous. Sorries. I forgive yous. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Yes, we have the opportunity to give it to our kids, but we also have the opportunity to receive it from our kids. They not only need us. They love us, despite our failure to love them. They love us, just because we are MOMMY. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you Lord, for making us mothers.
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY TO ALL THE MOMMIES OUT THERE! ❤
Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord. PSALM 128:1-4
Phoebe's Sari-Sari Stories 