Encyclopedia: M

M is for Moments

More specifically, Mama Moments. The kind of experiences I've only had since I became a mom almost seven years ago. There was the time right after Neal's mom died that we saw a rainbow while at the park and Audrey said (she was barely 2), "Oh! Look what Gee made!" Or the time, when Parker was about a week old and was sleeping in my arms and my mom and I saw him have what looked like a prolonged conversation with someone unseen. He smiled, laughed and was gesturing with his hands like he had gone back to heaven just for a moment.

Or there was this moment I had with Miles in California, or all the times my kids have defended each other on a playground, or when Parker just out-of-the-blue tells Audrey he loves her, or any number of other touching and, in the end, spiritual experiences I've been lucky enough to have since these little people came into my life. These times have always left me full of gratitude and emotion, feeling closer to my Savior and, upon retrospect, more loved than I ever knew possible.

I had a little experience last Friday afternoon where the whole universe came together and I felt like the luckiest mama in the world. I had to sneak into Miles' room, assuming I'd have to wake him from his nap to put him in the car for school pick-up. I very quietly opened his door and saw that he was awake in his crib, but sitting down, quietly and tenderly holding a little Elmo doll. He didn't see me as I slowly walked in, but then I stopped and put my hands over my mouth because I was just so touched by what he was doing.

(Remember, he's only 14 months old. And he's my baby, so this was extra sweet. Excuse my gushing.)
He was sitting there looking at Elmo's face, smiling, then he brought the doll up to his shoulder, squeezed him a bit and patted his little back. All while he thought he was completely alone in his room. Then he saw me and I quickly scooped him up and gave him the biggest, longest hug. I just couldn't let him go. I love that sweet little boy.

I tried to call Neal because I just had to share the cuteness, but he was with a patient and didn't pick up. So I called Stephanie to tell her. (Because the only people who love your babies almost as much as you do are your parents and your sister.) She, of course, concurred that it was extremely precious that he was so tender with little Elmo and then she made me cry a bit by telling me that he only really knew to do that because that's what we do with him.

And that's when I knew that maybe I had done something right. Because I very often wonder if I am any good at this mama thing. But it's little moments like these that help me see that the kids are at least getting the message that they're loved and that's the one I try to teach them the most.

BTW, Thanks, Steph, for making my day.

M is also for Miles