I am so happy about my guest this week, she’s a really wonderful person.
This year I have met a lot of wonderful women who have welcomed me not only to their blogs but into their hearts as well. She is one such woman.
Her story of finding her faith, the love of her life and motherhood in one inspiring tale. She has been all over the world, taught hundreds of children and now shares her daily escapades on parenting her 3 year old son with all of us. To say I feel BLESSED to read her blog is a serious understatement.
She also has a feature very much like Proud Mommy Moments, called Pause Life for a Moment, I am truly hoping I get to write for her next year, because just like PMM, Pause Life for a Moment encourages us as mom, wives and women to truly take in the little things and be thankful for them.
Next, this Christmas she has a wonderful link up about GIVING CHRISTMAS to OTHERS. Honestly it’s something I wish I had thought of! What a gracious, open, warm heart she has, living the true spirit of this holiday season by giving to others. WOW.
So here she is, in her own words, sharing her proud Mommy Moment.
It’s a truly beautiful one:
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When my son was 3 months old, we started attending a library program for children 0-24 months and their parents called Mother Goose on the Loose.
It was a magical class lead by the amazing Miss Donna. She taught us movement activities, sang songs with us, had us marching in circles, and listening to stories. JDaniel hit his first drum to tap out the syllables in his name in Mother Goose. I loved being right there with him watching him learn to do that.
We rarely missed a class on Wednesdays. Visiting Miss Donna’s room was our Wednesday place to be.
Many of our friends thought so too. I sat with the same five or six moms and their children for almost two years. We reveled in what our children were learning and chuckled when one of the little ones strutted around the circle instead of marched.
It was really wonderful to sing with my son in my lap or hold his hand when he finally was able to walk around the circle instead of being carried during a movement march.
When he aged out of Mother Goose on the Loose, we started going to a story time with the wonderful Miss Amber. She too has a gift for getting children to sing songs and repeat rhymes.
For the first year JDaniel remained in my lap or by my side. When Miss Amber said to march to music, I marched too just to get him to. When it was time for instruments, JDaniel would gather up an extra maraca for me to play along with him. I loved shaking it to the beat.
Just last month something changed. JDaniel started story time on my lap or was it by my side, but by the time Miss Amber started reading the story he had moved up front to sit with the big kids.
I dread the day when he heads straight to the front of the room to sit with the big kids when we arrive. It will seem strange to sing by myself or not to sing at all. I love singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. It will be hard to give it up. Observing and not participating doesn’t sound like it will be fun.
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Thank you, my friend, for being here today & writing this to share with us. As the mom of another creative little soul like yours I know these feelings very well. How hard it is to hold on and let go at the same time. You’re doing an amazing job and I simply loved this story about your amazing little boy.
If you don’t read the blog: JDaniel4′s Mom you really should. It’s a wonderful comfortable space full of advice, stories, recipes and LIFE.
You can LIKE her Fan Page on Facebook
Any way you connect with her, I assure you you’ll feel lucky to know her.
THANK YOU so much for being here my friend, Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY and a BLESSED NEW YEAR.
I love reading about these Proud Mommy Moments. Although I am not a mommy myself, they still warm my heart and give me my own PPM to look forward to.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful friend Kir!
Thank you for the opportunity to stop by and share!
What a beautiful feature and just like this one here (yes, sweet Kir) a must go to blog! Cannot tell you how many times she features a craft, an activity a story and I find myself wishing my children back in time so they would appreciate it too.
Have a feeling in years to come, the Grandma I hope to be (ok a long way away) will have all her wonderfulness bookmarked for the next generation
or maybe she will books and books out by then to fill my shelves!
Thank you so much! I would be honored to know that something I shared was shared by you@
I wish you could come to library with me. My twins have huge fights over my lap every time. I could use a backup lap.
This is a sweet story
Aw, I know that feeling too well, dear friend… me being Sweaty and all that, every milestone that she’s accomplished would be reason enough for me to go into panic mode–I was excited for her, and yet wishing she wouldn’t have to grow up as fast!
I remembered when she was three years old, I told myself, chill Sweaty, she’s still a toddler! No sweat!
When she reached four years old, I told myself, ha! 4 is still a toddler! No sweat!
Five years old, and I could no longer use the same denial, so I told myself, well, even Baby Gap (as opposed to Gap Kids) carry sizes up to 5 years old! So that means my daughter can still be called a baby! Yay!!
Six, and now seven years old, I’m running out of things to tell myself. But for now, I’m just trying my best to enjoy EVERY moment I got to spend with her.
I’ve read some of your posts on JDaniel. He is such an intelligent child with a gentle soul. It’s no wonder you are so very proud of him, of how much he’s accomplished, and treasure every moment you had with him. Happy holidays to you two!!!
Sweaty- You are right about time passing quickly! Thank you for you wonderful comments!
It’s so bittersweet isn’t it? To watch them get more and more independent, which means we’ve done our mom job as we should. So good to see you here, Deirdre!
Bittersweet is the perfect word!
Oh those moments are so bittersweet. Obviously we want them to grow and become independent, sometimes it is just too soon- well for the parents at least
It just seems to come out of nowhere.
Oh, I’m glad this is not what I feared. I was afraid library services were being reduced…
Instead, you are going through some of the normal but painful pangs of motherhood. Your boy is growing up!
=)
PS. Go, J Daniel. But be gentle with your mom!!
I not sure when it happened, but he has totally entered boyhood.
Love this combination of the two of you sharing the same space, my friends. xo
It is hard to watch them go up and be a part of the big kids… but it’s also such a proud moment, too!
It truly is two things at the same time!
Oh, it must be hard to give up some of the little things – but i’m sure you are proud of him at the same time!
Yes, I am both. It was such fun to participate with him.
These are difficult changes as a parent but they are big steps for the kids. It’s great to see JDaniel getting the courage to move up there with the big kids.
I am proud of him too.
Oh, that is a bittersweet moment. I am proud of the little guy for doing it and for you to handle it so well.
I remember when my kids didn’t need mom by their side. Both kids struggled with separation anxiety so it took them awhile to let go. Now that they have, they still look to me for guidance or the okay. JDaniels might head to the front of the room but he will always be looking back for mom. I am so proud of my kids not wanting to leave mom out! I know JDaniels will be the same!
Great post girl, as always!
I dread the day B decides he is too big for my lap.
Its so hard watching them grow up into little beings, but at the same time Im always so proud of him!
It is wonderous and hard to watch them grow up.