Of Easter Bunnies and Santas.....

I don't have a photo for this one.

I just couldn't bear to pull out the Canon and snap it in the face of the little one, whose very belief system was hanging in the balance.

But you can probably picture it.

Just having discovered a small stash of Easter goodies in the back of a closet, Ellie walked slowly over to me, face reddening. Question marks flashed like lightning in her eyes.

"Mom," she asked in a measured voice, "Is.... there...."

"Is there..... really an Easter bunny?"

Tears tiptoed in her eyes.

I gave the standard, "what do you think, honey" response, but I knew that it was too far gone and that really, it was time.

Time.

Time for the Princess of Hearts to find out the truth. She has always had questions. But she stayed firm in her belief that fairies and bunnies and big jolly men and elves somehow existed in a parallel universe.

She has heard kids say that Santa is not real.

But Ellie still believed.

Until today. Once I gently nodded to her that yes, sweetie, your hunch is right... there is not a big bunny hopping around delivering presents to kids... or even a man in a Red Suit who flies on a sleigh loaded with gifts, a little quirky smile slowly arrived upon her face. The tears still brimmed, but I could see in her eyes that it was going to be OK.

Then, she broke the tension: "Next time, hide the presents better!"

Ha.

Just then, the phone rang. It was out-of-town Tom. Ellie answered. Their conversation went like this.

Ellie: Hello?
Dad: Hey girl! Whatcha doing?
Ellie: Well, I just asked mom if the Easter bunny is real.
Dad: Oh really? (pause) What did she say?
Ellie: Well dad..... (getting the timing just right) apparently........ he's not.
Tom: (laughing!)

That's my girl.

Mommas Love Their Babies

I love being a mom. I mean, I really, really do. It is the best thing I have ever done in my whole life. The hardest thing. The most humbling thing. The most maddening thing. At times, I literally feel like banging my head against a wall. It can be a gut-twisting, eye-squinshing, heart-squeezing experience that tests my patience to levels I heretofore have never known. I realize that to make it through, I absolutely MUST rely on a higher power. I CANNOT DO IT OF MY OWN STRENGTH.

But at the end of the day, being a mom is sweetest, most funnest thing ever <(I know, not proper English there. It was just for emphasis). I've been thinking lately about how it's really a blast to be a mom. And to be able to introduce my kids to new things. Teach them about their surroundings. Help them look at life through the right lens. Give them tools for living. Pray for them. And hopefully, make them proud that I am their mom. (though I probably embarrass them - I have a weird habit of singing and dancing when their friends come over.)

When you really, really think about it... being a mom is an amazing privilege. Being able to significantly shape the very life of 3 human beings. Wo, that's heavy. And that's a lot of pressure. But again, I remind myself that He (the God of Heaven and Earth) will give me wisdom and strength if I will just simply ask. He will give it to me. I hang onto that truth. And hopefully he will also give me ESP during those teenage years. (I am totally serious about that.)

These three paragraphs were just a veiled apology for what I am about to say next: I am posting about Luke. Again. I just can't help it. I tried not to post about this incident. It happened a few days ago. It is really not that big a deal. It is not like I am thinking that he is some whiz-kid. Four year olds say stuff like this all the time. They are all so inquisitive. But to me, this moment is fantastic, and I don't want to forget it. Because not only can I hear the words I am about to post, but I can see the burning wonder in his eyes. I can remember how he licked his lips as he asked this question, something he always does when he is thinking about adult stuff. So now that I've built it up so big, I will share it. I call it "Perplexed."

We are in the car. I guess he has a lot of time to think in the car. He is strapped in. He has nowhere to go. So, he thinks.

"Mom, the road that we are driving on is flat, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, when you go in outerspace and you look at the world, it is round, right?"

"Yes."

Long pause.

(incredulous) "WELL, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?"

More God Questions from Luke

Question #1: Can God ride a tricycle, eat candy and play basketball at the same time?
Question #2: Is heaven soft?
Question #3: Is heaven crowded?

God Question:

Luke: Mom, what do you think God looks like?
Me: I'm not sure. What do you think?
Luke: I think he must have a big mustache.

Seven is a Funny Word

As rambunctious as Luke is, he somehow takes time to think about words (which I totally eat up being an English teacher and all.) He told me in the car the other day that "seven is a funny word." When asked why, he said that the number seven just doesn't look like a seven sounds. Interesting observation. His other questions about words.... *Where is the "pop" in popcicle? Is it when I pop it in my mouth? Also, why isn't there a "tree" growing in our pantry? Never thought of that one. He did understand, however, why there is "water" in watermelon.