Another "Nobody Told Me"

I have found, during my brief time as a mother, that there are certain things that nobody told me to expect. I've made it my personal mission to document those things, and now I have a couple new ones to add to the list. Nobody told me how joyful it is to watch one of your children celebrate another. I discovered this as part of Max's first birthday. I took Quincy to Target a few days before the birthday, and told her she could pick out a present for him. She scanned the aisle briefly, and quickly found what she thought would be the perfect gift - a set of blocks that came whith thier own wagon. She was so excited to give this gift to her brother (and to play with them herself), she could hardly wait. I also let her help pick out the cake. Yea, I'm not such a crafty and creative mom as some kids have, so Max's cake came from the grocery store. We found something with just the right creamy white frosting that she was sure he would want. That night as we lit the candles and had the cake I was struck by the love that showed in the way she enjoyed the evening. Sitting at the computer now it's hard to put into words, but I'll never forget the way she looked at him, and tended to him, trying as hard as the rest of us to make sure he had a great day. I am truly amazed and grateful by what this child shows me. In the Book of Mosiah, King Benjamin told parents to teach their children to "love one another, and to serve one another." Now I see what a joy it is when children do this. My next "nobody told me" concept isn't technically a "nobody told me." Quincy starts official, school based preschool on Thursday. Who hasn't heard women talking about how they cried when their child went to school? The thing with this, is that I just had no inkling of how that would really feel, and somehow I thought it would be different for me. So, although I'm familiar with the concept, this has totally taken me off guard. It's slowly sinking in for me that this little companion I've had for last nearly 4 years is suddenly going to be away from me for half the day on a regular basis now. Oh, how bitter sweet. I feel like she is ready. She's bright and ready to be taught in a formal setting by someone other than her mother. This is going to be a really great thing for her, but I'll miss her so. I'll miss the constant chatter that, at times, I have thought annoying. I'll miss the taking our time over breakfast, and staying up late watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I'll miss the morning walks, trips to the park, and just hanging out. I'll miss my girl.

Here's one of those random conversations that I will always remember and laugh about:

"Mom, do I have to get married if I want to have children?" (I love that she uses the word "children")

"Yep, you do"

"How do you get children in your tummy?"

"Heavenly Father puts them there."

"But how does he put them there?"

"Uh................."

"Do you have to get a shot?"

"Yea, that's it, a shot."

And then this on just a few minutes ago

"Mom, do you know who those guys are?"

"Yea"

"Ali-bama"

"Obama"

"Obami. Sounds like bummy. And that other one?""

"McCain"

"And I approve this message"