Real True Gratitude to My Children

David Scott, Danielle, Dean, Diana, Dara, Joseph and Arianna,

You all have blessed my life.

You ARE my life.

All of it.

Whatever I am, 

whatever joys have been mine,

whatever stretching I have done,

growth I have achieved,

is because of each and every one of you.

David Scott/Daba Jott,

you are my first Teacher.

You taught me to slow down

from my selfish young adult priorities

and focus on someone besides myself.

You taught me how to exercise self-control,

and learn time management--

how to get out the door:

time a feeding, 

a shower, 

another feeding,

blow dry my hair, 

another feeding, etc.
just to get out the door in the morning!

You put perspective on my "vanity" issues--

my make-up was shoved to the back of the counter

or under the sink--

au naturel suited me.

Clothing, or the focus on it changed too--

what's a little baby spit-up on silk anyway?

Laughter--

you taught me to laugh when things don't go my way.

And to never shop after dinner.

My lessons on "sacrifice" came thru you

like a "Motherhood Refiner's Fire"--

I found out what I didn't need--

as much sleep
or,

as much money
as I thought I needed.

And showed me what I could not live without--

Being a Mother.

Your Mother.

Dear Sweet Danielle/Dani/Dani-Jo/Punkin Britches/Nellie/Pomadore Flapjack,

You were sent here for me

like a little helper angel.

Your strong little spirit burst forth

with clarity.

You have been my second set of 

eyes,

hands,

heart.

You taught me that every child is different

and because of that,

I learned to foster other attributes I didn't know I had--

you stretched me 

and

supported me all at the same time.

You are the mother at times

and I am the child--

love you.

Dean/Deano-Beano:

well Dean, 

you're never going to read this.

My heart is yours.

Your special-needs limit you in ways 

neither of us expected,

and exalts you in others.

Our best days are still ahead.

We both know that.

Diana--my Nana-doos--

You came to heal my heart

as only you can...

your appearance on this earth calmed 

my heart

and faith.

My little peacemaker,

you taught me to lower my voice and use a sweeter tone

whenever possible.

To say "yes" when "no" isn't necessary.

We've survived your "rotten teenage" years

and now we are sisters and friends.

Dara/ Daisie/Day--

you are my excitable child!

From your toddler years where the older siblings

chanted "run, Day-Day, run!"

sending you screaming down the halls and around corners,

you haven't changed much. lol

Your eyes are bright and your to-do list is long!

You have come to this earth

ready to accomplish something HUGE

and I am just as excited to see what that 

"something" is!

You are THE element of "surprise" in the family--

could it be related to the fact that you were due on 

April Fool's Day and my water broke at exactly 11:59pm?

My first homebirth...you made it so easy on me.

"Let's get busy!", you seemed to say that day

with your eyes wide open, all alert and smiling.
And just this morning,
when you busted thru the bedroom door
because you missed
the bus
again!
Exasperation and Excitement defines you!

Joseph/The Boofus/ Boofdawg/Jofus/Boofinator...

We've known each other long before you came to me.

We share alot--

all of the other kids,

the bed you were born in, 

and love of your devoted Daddy.

You not only own the one set of big brown puppy-dog eyes

in our family,

but you own me too!

Arianna...the Bee/Caboose/Bee-bop-anonymous/Beeps/Ari--

being the Caboose in a large family has it's pros and cons.

And I'm pretty sure you know them all!

You keep me young--

I'm not allowed to feel like an old woman.

I still shop in the little girls' department,

wander the Barbie aisles,

and buy BonneBell lipgloss.

I get to make a ponytail,

and pigtails,

braids and barretts

every day.

Easter dresses and white frilly slips.

Activity girls and spelling lists--

you keep me young and I love you for always.

I love you all the days.

Happy Mother's Day.

love,
Momza