Today is Mothers Day. Well, for me it is anyway. Since Ryan was was still overseas last weekend he decided to wake me up with a beautiful breakfast and a thoughtful pressie this morning. I was okay with that.
And then we went to visit some of our friends at the billabong down the road.
At times Levi couldn't be bothered. After all, there were sticks everywhere to play with...
...and what fun are koalas when they just sit there in trees looking cute? (Boring mom!)
Birds on the other hand... birds are on the move and fast and fascinating.
And of course the "dogs" are awesome. And these "dogs" even have really long tails and huge, funny feet. Oh, and they bounce around a lot... in between their lazy episodes of sunbathing. (Weird, but cool mom!)
Isn't it strange how becoming a mom changes things? Like how a great day for me is now one where I see my family enjoying themselves. Soaking in the warm sun. Glimpsing blue sky between the rustling gum trees. Minutes morphing into hours while chasing ducks, picking up sticks, and seeing life through the eyes of a very, very small and curious person.
Because to a very, very small and curious person... the world looks large and grande and full and... friendly. And I really like seeing it that way.
Through those eyes scary things don't look threatening... they just look amazing. (Even more amazing than on the pages of our storybooks.) And I like seeing it that way, too.
I reckon that sun on your back, dust on your feet, and a child on your shoulders (or in your belly) just make the world feel a little bit more right.
But of course kids will be kids... and even on a made-up Mothers Day they still don't "pose" for photos.
But that's ok. Because each little glance, each expression, each mid-sentance hand gesture frozen on film... all bring a sense of normalcy.
And that normalcy does nothing to detract from the divine gift of an animated and spirited child who doesn't yet know how to say "I love you mama." But I know. I know I am loved... in the ordinary moments as well as the extraordinary ones.
So this Mothers Day we come home and place our shoes by the door. Some of us go for naps while others fold laundry. The sun continues to sink on an extraordinarily ordinary, beautifully unusual, simply wonderful normal day. And I count my blessings, the best of which are the man and the boys who have made me a mom.
For this mom... on a Sunday... in May... with my boys (all three of them)... the world is a very good place.
Knowing that this is my current reality makes me a very happy, happy woman indeed.
Dear friends, how have you seen the divine in the ordinary this week?
glad to be a mama,
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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
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This is beautiful! Happy belated Mother's day to you!:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day... and what a lovely post. :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were in Brisbane and visited the zoo there. That was before we had kids. Now we can't wait to go there again and take the kids this time.
Awww what beautiful pictures. It's so cool that you can go hang out with the animals like that :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the one with the sandals and the adorable cuteness that are tiny toddler footwear next to adult footwear. :) :) Lucky mama!
Ah, memories :)
ReplyDeleteEmily
texasnj.dayeightmedia.com
Such a sweet post and beautiful pics, wonderful Memories. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post! Have a great day! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy mothers day! Lovely way to spend it. Loe that first photo so much.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that Levi looks like a mini Steve Irwin in the first picture;0. We loved watching Steve's shows;-0 hehe. This looks like such a fun family outing and especially love the pic of L with the kangaroo. What an AWESOME capture!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It's so sweet and so true that a mom's joy really is watching their family enjoy themselves and be happy. The pictures of Levi are too too cute. What an amazing childhood to get to grow up getting to pet the kangaroos and koalas! Happy Mother's Day Adriel - you deserve every moment of joy!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are great. I love this post! Just stumbled upon your blog, love it ;)
ReplyDeleteokay....stop a second, am I making this up or aren't you around 20 weeks pregnant? Where the heck is your tummy?? You look better than I do when I'm not expecting :)
ReplyDeleteGret photos! Happy mother's day!
I love watching kids watching animals. The enthusiasm is contagious. We go to the San Diego zoo pretty much every other week with our membership. Koalas here though cannot be approached and touched. Prior to kids, my husband and I had made it out to Sydney, but the Wildlife Center we went to there did not allow you to approach the koalas. I still wish we had had the opportunity to visit a place that did while we were there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to celebrate! Such sweet moments captured.
ReplyDeleteLevi is just so cute! I also love seeing things through innocent eyes. I want to keep that simplicity for as long as possible! :)
ReplyDeleteNow, A... Where are you hiding the baby you are currently growing?! You sure don't look that pregnant ;) Happy belated Mother's day, friend!