Such Great Love....

I walk across the gym floor...the DJ is rolling 50's tunes, the high-walled room is dim, the mood festive, and there he is...smiling at me from across the gym. His eyes are innocent, blue, sparkly and when he sees me, he comes running to me and kisses my hand. My heart swoons...my heart bubbles over with love. I am immediately taken back to that night in December of 1999 when I first opened my door to see such a good looking guy...but this image tonight is his son, my son. The second love of my life. The image of his daddy.

The elementary school's sock hop and hot dog night is underway and my Kindergartner celebrates sheer excitement by running around and around and around the gym. He is so handsome. He is still young enough to enjoy being with his friends and enjoy being with his mommy while in the company of his friends. In fact, his little "buddies" as he calls them, even wave at me and say "hi Gage's mom!".

What did I do to deserve such a prince, who lays by me with his arm around my neck while I read to him; who squeezes my face with his little hands before he kisses my forehead; who holds the door open for me and proclaims "ladies first"; who tells me for no reason "I love you, Mom"; and who thinks I can glue anything back together to make it new again? What did I do - I became a mom.

As always, whenever I am privileged to be in the presence of children, I have so much trouble understanding the cruelty some adults display toward the children in their lives. Oh, those little clones of ourselves can be the most trying, most obnoxious, most stressful parts of our existence. However, whether they be biological, adopted, fostered or just in our care for the evening, those children will reflect to others the love and compassion they are shown. Men and women across the globe grieve for the children they do not have, while yet other men and women have the richest gift of all and ignore it. Or even worse...they push a child's love away.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15.13 KJV
If we as humans, are capable of giving our lives for our FRIENDS, what even greater love has God given  us for our own CHILDREN?! In fact, it is our duty to love our children, to rear our children, teach our children, make them valuable members of society. I am not, I will not ever be perfect. I will never be the Wonder Mom or receive the Mom of the Year Award. However, I will always love my young son, who looks just like my husband and his daddy. I am Gage's Mommy. Oh, what an honor.

Mud, Glorious Mud...

Mud, mud everywhere - look where we can play!! Gage and his cousin, Justin, are outside playing in the mud. The entrance to the basement is somewhat unfinished and there is a low spot that holds water. It is an aggravation to me, something I gripe about a bit.

However, two boys with two sticks are having great time. "Let's go look for more rocks in the river. Here are some big ones." They came to the door a moment ago, Justin with a scratched finger (from trying to haul around the cat) and Gage following behind him telling me all about it. They were "hunting rabbits" and the cat was a handy substitute. That orange tomcat will have nightmares of two wild boys chasing him with their plastic pistols. I made them strip off their pants at the front door, then washed four little, very dirty hands. I bandaged Justin's pinky finger and wiped mud off of Gage's nose. They stayed in for all of about 10 minutes and back out they went again.

The windows are up (we are enjoying 60 degree weather in February) and I can hear them...they now have their shovels and are scooping rocks up out of the driveway and loading their Tonka dumptrucks and the red wagon. I am afraid to look out and see where the unloading zone is! They have tried to wash my truck (until Momma went on the rampage) and  "drove the tractor" to the neighbor's field to feed the cows. A mired-up bicycle stands to testify of their endeavors. An imagination can go a long way when a 4 and 5 year old are together. They are completely covered in mud...from head to toe. But they are happy, and I guess that's all that matters.

So thankful they have each other...Gage loves a playmate and he can roll and tumble with the best, and they do roll and tumble. Now, since I hear them on the porch, am going on a cleaning mission....wish me luck!

Valentines...

My Sunday School little ones with their Moses coloring sheets...when asked this morning what Valentines Day was about, they said "pink hearts" and "loving each other". Sounds like they have a good understanding of what's it's all about!

Gage has loads of love for his friends and family. I believe it is partly because he is an only child, and does feel lonesome sometimes. The Good Lord knew what he was doing when he gave me just one little boy. But He also knew what he was doing when he gave me nieces and nephews! One little guy fits our lifestyle just perfectly...not to say if we were surprised with another blessing we would be unhappy! However, at 40, I'm so satisfied with blessings God has given me.

Before Gage began Kindergarten, I was looking forward to doing my grocery shopping and things without a permanent sidekick. After he started school, I found out I was waiting until he was home to go into town and waited for him to help me clean his room. I was lonesome without him, without his chatter and his loud thumping and bumping. I had to learn how to entertain myself all over again. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, at all! I am finally adjusting to him being away from me after five years of sticking to my side. However, as my six year old niece told Gage with confidence "You'll always be your Momma's baby, won't you?" He will always be my baby. Just as she'll always be her Momma's baby. The hugs will only get sweeter, the love will only grow deeper and Valentine's Day will become better every year. In fact, I believe I am privileged to have Valentine's Day all 365 days of the year!

The thought that counts...

Mrs Thomas and Mrs Stephanie will be proud...This is the note I received from Gage while I was sick a few days back. I could hear him sounding out words, but didn't know exactly what he was doing. I bragged on him and of course, gave him many hugs and kisses. A few days later, I had to tell him "I hope you feel better" when he battled the nasty stomach bug. He ended up being ill off and on for 10 days with that icky stuff and missed two days of school along with one snow/vacation day throwing up. Poor child - I felt so sorry for him and his little pale face and dark eyes. Gage has lots of empathy, and loves to write get well wishes and thank you cards. Whenever someone gives him something, he'll say "I need to write a thank you note, don't I?".
He is always thankful for everything, no matter how small, and I hope he always will be. A gift is never too small to be unappreciated.

I could have received a large, expensive gift, bouquets of flowers and fancy cards, and I could not have enjoyed them more than the penciled words on a green post-it note written by my five year old son. It truly IS the thought that counts!

Thinking....

We have had a long day. It's after midnight as I am writing this, and both hubby, boy and dog are sleeping soundly with a snore here and there.

We drove up to Bass Pro Shop today and then stopped by to see my Mom and Tom. On the way back, it was dark, Jason slept and I drove. Gage chattered all the way home, except for the few minutes he played his V-tech game. We were almost home when he all of a sudden fell quiet. I asked if he was ok, and he said "Yes, I am just thinking". About what? "I haven't decided yet."

The mind of a child...what a wonderful thing! He surprised us today several times with his vast knowledge. It all had the innocence twist of a 5 year old, but as usual he's too smart for his own good.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day for my Sunday School kiddos. Should be a fun day - then home to help Gage finish addressing his Valentines for classmates in his Kindergarten class. He loves all his classmates; and a few of the girls hold special places in his young heart.

This is Heaven...

Several snow days lately have spoiled Gage. He loves to stay home in the early mornings and play with his little cars, trucks and tractors while in his pj's. After looking out the window at the swirly snow, he said "Mom, I wish we had a fireplace, so we could sit in front of the fire to stay warm and drink hot chocolate." He then proceeds to tell me how he is going to rearrange the furniture so he can "build a fireplace right over there in that corner".

On one of the days "vacationing" from his school duties, Gage and I, along with my sister and her children took a trip to Chick-fil-a to eat and play. Gage and his cousin Justin were so excited to be there...they bounced up and down in the seat, talked continuously, and longingly looked at the play area, encased in the thick, sound proof glass. The slide beckoned...the little white car called their names...the tunnel and brightly colored steps made their little fingers twitch to crawl. In between bites of fries and sips of lemonade and root beer, their little manly conversation explained how they thought the play area had been constructed with  "lots of wrenches and nails", etc.

Finally Gage looked over at me, his eyes shining and said "Mom, that's Heaven." And I guess to a five year old it was. The promise of enjoying the afternoon with his friend/cousin in the brightly colored play area that had been made with "lots of wrenches and nails" was equivalent to a street of gold.

And as I watched him climb and jump, healthy, happy and oh, so handsome I had to agree. That's Heaven.