Mother’s Day — with a Twist

I’d like to do something a little different on Mother’s Day this year. I want to take some time to focus on the little people who gave me the much revered and respected title of “Mother.”

So today, this post is for them. This is my list of why I love being  mother to each of them.

For Emma, my girl, my first born, the one who radically changed my life in the most amazing way…here are some of the reasons I love being your mother:

1.  your heart
2. your singing
3. your love for others
4. when you ride on the lawn mower with me
5. your love and compassion for animals
6. the way you twirl — in any new dress, when you put on a ‘cape’
7. how you always know just when I need a hug
8. how you snuggle
9. your perseverance
10. how you always look for the good in others
11. your forgiving nature
12. the way you hold me accountable
13. your tenderness with sick or elderly people — it takes a very special person to have this
14. the time you skipped cheerleading practice (which you LOVED) to stay home with me because I was not feeling well
15. your imagination
16. watching you play anything and everything
17. your genuine laugh
18. your desire to do the right thing — at all cost
19. when we just sit or lay and talk — about whatever is on our minds

For Elijah, my ‘baby’ and my son, the one who constantly challenges (in a good way) my patience…here are some of the reasons I love being your mother:

1. your smile
2. your heart
3. your sense of humor — this has been a saving grace many days in our home!
4. your appetite
5. the way you constantly encourage others
6. how you’re such a good friend
7. how you always find things for me — you’re my ‘finder’ — and you find things I didn’t even know were lost!
8. when you call me ‘Momma Jo’ — and the fact that I have NO idea where that came from, but it’s your special name for me
9. how you can always make me laugh
10. how you always look for the good in others
11. your forgiving nature
12. your passion for the things you love
13. the way you notice every new and little thing about me — whether it’s new earrings, freshly painted toenails/fingernails — you’re a notice, and that’s a fantastic thing!
14. watching you play anything and everything
15. your imagination
16. how you know every single character on Skylanders and what element they are and what they say when you put them on the portal (see #12)
17. your laid back style
18. your charisma
19. our late night ‘pillow-talks’ where I get to hear all about your day

Some of the items are on both lists, but those are the things I’m super grateful for in both of my kids.