Shootin' with the Big Girls

We were invited to a friend's home for a traditional Memorial Day BBQ and Island Boy was in heaven. The house had a pool and a dog and people that love children.

Island Boy was having so much fun he decided to grab Mommy's camera and give the two professional photographers in the group some serious competition.

We're having fun reviewing the HUNDREDS of photos reflecting Island Boy's view of the world. Here are just a few for you to enjoy!

Heartbeat

We were examining a deck of playing cards last week when I pointed out that the red things in the corners of certain cards were called, "hearts".

"Boom! Boom!", Island Boy stated.

"Huh?", thought I.

"Boom! Boom!", he told me again. Then, when I continued to look puzzled, he clarified by pointing to my tummy and saying:

"Heartbeat! Boom! Boom!"

Yes, Island Boy remembers listening to the heartbeat of his little sister while she was still inside of Mommy, so now whenever we see cards (or anything else) with a heart on it, "Boom! Boom!", is what we hear.

Mothers, Daughters and so much more

It's the season for reflecting on what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a family and even a wife. This year, there is much to consider beyond that of other years.

This year, we have two incredible children in our home. They came to us in very different ways yet they are both miracles to us. Does it matter how they came to us? Does it make any difference in the definition of motherhood or that of grandmother-hood? No, not one tiny nanobit.

I have finally learned that as with so many things in life understanding what it means to be a mom is something you cannot fully comprehend until you are one. The things that define motherhood are not the particulars of how it came to be, but rather the daily struggles and pleasures that we share with our children as we guide them through the river of experiences that mold them. Motherhood is so much more than giving birth and so much more than the thrill of first steps, first words, first haircuts.

Motherhood means that I am the one with the privilege of sharing the joys and pains of growing up as they manifest themselves through tantrums, through smiles and through hugs so powerful you cannot understand how they can come from such tiny arms or fingers (as is the case with our tiny sweet daughter). I am the one that gets through my days and nights without sleep, without checking off the "high-priority" items on my to-do list and without reward other than the best reward of all:

In the dark of night, when the ladybug monster climbs into bed with my son, "Mommy!", is the cry that wakens me. Other times, nay, often times, I hear the cries of my tiny daughter and know that I am the only one that can sooth her. As I tear myself from my dreams (on the occasional night when I am not too exhausted to have dreams), I think first of what it means to be loved and needed enough to be the one whose name is called. And smile. That is what it means to be a Mom.

Thank you, Mom, for being the one that I still call and thank you, A-Ma, for being there for all of us too.

Happy Mother's Day to every one of you reading this with extra special wishes for all of you that are still waiting!