Oh, the Joy You Bring

I wish I had the words to fully express the joys that Nur and TT bring to my life.  Everything they say and do has me looking at them like the amazements of this world that they are.  How grateful I am to know what a mother's love feels like. 

As a mama, I spent so much time talking to them about life and what's going on in this world. . .  even though I know they probably comprehend perhaps 2% of what I say.  I spent time reading books, teaching, directing, singing.  This parenting thing is a huge investment.  But you know what?  They are listening.  They are comprehending, the are processing.  And before you know it, the investment is paying off right in front of your eyes and my two babe are becoming people.  Intelligent, beautiful people, who will do great things in this world. 

Here are some recent occurances in my household.

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Lately at the dinner table, I have been talking about current events to Nur and TT.  And those current events of course involve the upcoming election.  Last night as we sat down for dinner, before I could even mutter a word, TT says, "Mama, I want Romney!"  Nur then got upset at his little sister, and yelled, "No, I want Obama!"  I just sat there smiling and laughing, and proud that my two year olds know two of the candidates running for Presidency of the United States.

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Last night at the dinner table, I asked the kids what they are thankful for.  TT said Mommy and Nur said Opia. 

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We also speak about different countries a lot in our house, as my family is a little United Nations.  We have a globe, that both Nur and TT call Earth.  TT tells me the other day.  "Mama.  Nur from 'Opia,' Nana and Gidu from Egypt, and TT from United States!" 

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A couple days later, I was in the bathroom with TT and we were putting on mama's makeup.  (cause this is obviously a two person job)  Nur runs by the bathroom telling me that he's going to go get Earth.  He comes back, and is spinning the globe, and then says, "Look Mama.  Opia!" And you know what? It WAS Ethiopia!!!  My two year old found Ethiopia on the globe.  I know adults who can't do that!  I started screaming and hugging and kissing, and Nur was so proud of himself.  As he should be.  I always wanted to raise my kids to know that we are citizens of this world, and that no country is "better" than any other.  My two year olds are getting it. 

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Last week, I came down with the flu pretty bad.  And it is hard to take care of kiddos while sick.  T was nice and stepped up and tried to keep the kids occupied so I could lay in bed and moan.  But no matter what T was doing with the kids, TT would always find me.  Monday night, I was laying in bed, had Dancing with the Stars on in the background, and I heard little footsteps come and find me, carrying a bottle of 7Up, or as TT calls it, "Mama Juice."  She got into bed with me, handed me the 7Up, and said, "Mama sick.  TT take care of Mama and make her feel better."  And instead of insisting that I turn on cartoons, she laid with me and we watching the dancing show, and she stroked my belly to try to help Mama tummy feel better.  I'm so proud of her compassionate heart.  Of course 3 days later, the proximity TT insisted on having with mama meant that TT then got the flu.  Oh, the vomit!!!  Hoping the boys in the household miss it completely.

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Nur comes up to me about 33 times a day, and asks me to sing "Forever."  It is his favorite, and he will stop whatever he is doing to hear it. 

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

And then there was Halloween.  These two thought it was pretty amazing that they were able to go door to door to get candy.