May 11, 2009 journal entry
It’s late and I should be in bed, but I had to record two memories from Mother’s Day before they become any older.
1) Yesterday was the first time that Niko went up on the stand with the Primary to sing. He has always been alert when the children sing as a group, but this was the first time he has been in Primary to participate. When it was time, I asked him if he wanted to go up and sing with the other children and he was quick to say, “Yeah!” and headed up to the front from the overflow where we were seated. I had tried to tuck in his polo shirt, but a good quarter of it wasn’t quite tucked in. Add to that his saunter and he was just the epitome of “Niko” struttin’ his stuff. Our little Sunbeam walked straight up with no reservation. He got up onto the stand and peeked out with his head and barely his shoulders showing behind the barrier, his little hands hanging onto the edge. Immediately, he looked for us and smiled with both his eyes and his mouth. They sang two songs, one I remember was “Mother, I Love You.” The whole time he just looked around and looked at us and smiled and got crowded further and further into his corner by the 5-year-old girl standing next to him. He looked so little compared to all the other kids up there, yet he was our big boy growing up too fast. I don’t think he sang a note, but he loved being allowed to be up there. When he came back to sit with us I hugged him and told him I was proud of him. He seemed very pleased with himself. Chris and I reveled in the moment. :)
2) Aunt Judy Lyon was in town this weekend for a quilt show and to pick up Mary who is going home for a while. Jessica and Ahn invited everyone to their home for dinner. I was the last to arrive, but welcomed all the same. It was a fairly good crowd (Michael & Phil, the Ahn family, Stina & Taylor, Judy & Joseph, Daniel & James). I had brought just Matt, as Kiko stayed home to get the boys in bed at a decent hour and to allow me to actually socialize rather than chase after the boys. I stayed for the whole time, until about 8pm. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have to leave to get home with the boys. As I sat, totally free to talk with people and eat and just enjoy myself, I was intrigued to find myself feeling a void. I missed my husband and boys. I realized that the challenge of having children be a part of the experience is one of the reasons the experience has value. Sure, the experience is different, but the reason we have family gatherings is to be together as a family. The next time Jessica invites family over, I asked Chris if we could make a point to all attend. Little Intai, who is about 9-years-old I think, was so fascinated by Matt. He said, “He’s so peach fuzzy!” He just loved him. He actually said to me right before I left, “Ummm… I don’t think I’ve met his daddy.” Papa will definitely have to come next time. :)
Sam enjoys using his shoes as buckets, too.
We sometimes picnic with PB & J and raisins.
