Weekend mornings

I sing for a living, so I work nights mostly. I get home pretty late on the weekends (I am talking 2 or 3 am typically). Before I had my kids, sleeping in was a given. Even after I had my daughter, she is a night owl like me, so her getting up early was never an issue. Fast forward to today. I would like to introduce J. He is my extremely spirited, complicated, emotional, dramatic, creative, entertaining, sensitive, tender-hearted, rambunctious, athletic, affectionate, charismatic, amazing, sweet-as-pie baby boy (absolutely no bias here:)). He is 6 years old, can never seem to get enough attention, and wakes me up at the crack of dawn every Saturday and Sunday morning by climbing into bed with us, hugging me, and declaring his love for me. I do my best to let Daddy sleep a little longer. Now, I don't get out of bed right away if I can help it, but unless he goes back to sleep I am up. He doesn't just watch television, he interacts with it. There is a running commentary on everything he does. He likes for you to "watch this" constantly, (dance he has made up, art he creates, song he is composing, outfit he has chosen, etc...) I am smiling as I write this, He tells jokes, cries at the drop of dime, and generally keeps me on my toes. 

I wonder all of the time, how I got so lucky. I am truly blessed. As I try to shake off the grogginess, and struggle to function on just a few hours of sleep, I still find myself laughing at his shenanigans, and shining from the inside out when he lays his little head on my chest and tells me I am the best mommy in the world, and that he loves me. There is nothing better.

Then there is T. My 13 year old, beautiful, quiet, shy, brilliant, quirky, closet-goofball, private, easy-going, unemotional, focused, non-girly, talented, creative, competitive, athletic, introverted, generous, daughter. She is like me in so many ways. People mistake us for each other (she is prettier). She never wakes up at the crack of dawn. She doesn't like for you to "watch this". She is very self-sufficient (rarely asks for help with school work, it has to thrust upon her), takes great pride in her intelligence and has always excelled in school. We worry that her book smarts interfere with many common sense skills. She is an avid reader, and goes nowhere without her novel of the day. She can trip on air and has a great, dry sense of humor. She rarely complains, even if it is warranted. She is not especially affectionate, but that seems to be changing lately. So far, her interest in boys is minimal at best (so grateful for that). She is a wonderful artist, and has recently discovered a passion for playing the piano and is so good even her teacher is shocked. She is my first-born, and she is more, better than I prayed for. God is so good. On the weekends, whenever she gets up, or we wake her up, I get a basic "good morning". If I want a hug, I have to ask for or give one. If I say "I love you" she says it back, and I often have to seek her out to spend time with her. Even then, sometimes I can tell she just wants to be alone. 

I wonder all the time, how I got so lucky. I am truly blessed. Even while I miss the days when I was her world, and the unsolicited kisses and hugs she stopped giving long ago, my child is fabulous! I am so proud of her. Even when she tries to walk through the store with her head in a book, and I have to explain to my straight A student why that makes no sense, even when I have to insist that she go outside once in a while, knowing full well she will probably fall down for no reason, I know she is hands down one of the greatest gifts I have and will ever receive. I am honored to be her mommy and she will always be my baby.

My children could not be more different if I planned it. They are the best of both worlds. They teach me so much. The experience of motherhood is one I am so glad I didn't miss. This is yet another reason I wait in barely containable anticipation for my next baby. To learn and know another personality, and watch as we all learn from another beautiful soul, and experience new love so great it can only a blessing to us all. 

So this morning when J climbed into bed with me, demanding to know when I was going to get up, I smiled knowing what a gift God has given me to have these angels in my life. Another blessed day has begun.