Thursday, November 8, 2007

Before I had children...

I'm grateful for my children because....

1. Before I had children, I thought that the best thing in the world was sleeping in. Now I know that the best thing in the world is waking up to a giggly voice telling stories to a little sister or brother in the morning.

2. Before I had children, I thought that the best food was served in fine restaurants. Now I know that the best thing to eat is tofu hot-dog roll-ups slathered in ketchup, served with tater tots. ("My favorite food, Mom!")


3. Before I had children, I thought I liked taking my husband out to the movies on a Saturday night. Now I know that what I really like is cuddling with him on the couch, watching a movie from Netflix and knowing that all the children are snug in their beds and I'm not paying for a babysitter!

4. Before I had children, I thought that breakfast was cereal with milk. Now I know that bananas are an absolute human necessity and when they're not around, we all suffer. Oh, and coffee too.

5. Before I had children, farm animals were an interesting curiosity. Now I am fully aware of the noises, habits, and textures of each kind of animal. Especially pigs. And horses.

6. Before I had children, I thought naps were for babies. Now I know that naps are for babies...and toddlers and preschoolers and, most importantly, mommies and daddies.

7. Before I had children, I saw construction zones and sites as a noisy nuisance. Now they are infinite sources of joy and interest. I can identify diggers and rollers and cranes with ease.

8. Before I had children, the arrival of lights and sirens meant that I had to pull over. Now I have to pull over and cheer for the police!

9. Before I had children, holidays were times to delve deep into study and prayer, celebrating in the most spiritual fashion possible. Now I learn new things each year about the holidays as I consider new and different ways to share them with my children and make them relevant and exciting.

10. Before I had children, the camera was taken out for special occasions. Now I know the importance of recording as many "ordinary moments" as possible. I know that each of those ordinary moments is actually a special occasion.


11. Before I had children, grocery shopping was just a part of life. Now it's an important part of each week, devoted to ensuring that the food I buy for my kids is the best for them. And when they come along? It becomes a math lesson, a social justice lesson, a nutrition lesson, a religious lesson, a behavior lesson, and a personal finance lesson. Before I had children, I couldn't imagine filling a grocery cart to the top. Now I sometimes consider a second cart!

12. Before I had children, I liked to keep my car clean and didn't understand how cars could get so dirty. Now that I have children, I know that it's a losing battle against graham cracker crumbs, sweaters, toys, sippy cups, juice boxes, strollers, carseats....and I still don't understand how my car gets so dirty!

13. Before I had children, I thought that children were important, but I never imagined what my life would really be like. Now, I can't imagine my life without them. I can't imagine what I would be like if I didn't have these little people who daily teach me the joys of life and who remind me to see the ordinary as extraordinary. I'm grateful for these lessons, for David, Sam & Yael, who light up my life.

Written as part of MamaBlogga's November Group Writing Project. You too can participate!

See more Thursday Thirteen here.


Happy birthday to my wonderful Sam...2 years old today! I can't believe it. Where has the time gone....the days might go slowly but the years zip by!


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awww! I loved this TT! I'm not a mommy, but I'm a nanny. And, probably in the same way you learned, I can now identify all sorts of construction (and farm!) equipment because of the many books I've read to the kids.

Anonymous said...

Some very lovely sentiments!

Anonymous said...

What a great list. I can hardly remember what my life was like before children (and it hasn't even been two years)!

Happy birthday to your Sam and thanks for participating again!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Phyllis, your best ever. No one could say it so well.

therapydoc said...

And they say motherhood makes a person brain-dead. Great post.

Anonymous said...

Well, I would like to try the sleeping in thing again, just for the sake of comparason...it's been so long I've forgotten what that was like.

Anonymous said...

That was really beautiful. Well said.

Maya said...

Some of this I've experienced and some I haven't yet. But it makes me excited for what's to come.

Happy birthday Sam!

Anonymous said...

Before YOU had children, I was unaware of all of these things as well!!! :)

Happy Birthday Sammy!!!
Love, Auntie Liz

Marci said...

Beautiful, as always.

Congratulations - I am launching a new award, and I am giving one to you! Come on by and pick it up. Thanks for being a Wonderful Woman of the Web.

Sharon said...

Aw, this one just made me all teary-eyed! One of my favorite TTs. :)
Motherhood is grand, isn't it?

Maude Lynn said...

Awww, Happy Birthday, Sam!

Holly said...

Nice TT-13 post! Naps are important...

Smiles,
Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com

bella said...

This was pure genius. I loved it.
and I very much relate to the farm animals, construction sights and naps.
Having children really does change everything, in surprising and delightful and even funny ways.

Joyismygoal said...

13. Before I had children, I thought that children were important, but I never imagined what my life would really be like. Now, I can't imagine my life without them. Beautiful-- I am a better person I have 4 and my baby is 18

Anonymous said...

That was fantastic!
I could relate to all of it.
You have captured the emotion in every paragraph.

Anonymous said...

love this!

Bloggers said...

I just loved this post. I cannot even remember what my life was like bfore I had kids. Just that it was bad.

JCK said...

This was a lovely, lovely list. Thank you. #8 made me laugh out loud.

Thanks also for coming by my blog this week.