One proud Mama

There are days when I hear my kids bickering and wonder where these little people came from. It's enough to drive a mother crazy, especially when it seems the kids can have such a good time together, only to wake up the next day ready to attack each other.

Then there are the days when I look, almost eye-to-eye, at Jay and think, "I had something to do with just how great that kid is." And when I watch Nas trying something new and think, "I really am very, very blessed to call this little boy mine." On the whole, I have wonderful children. Those proud Mama moments, I'm sure, are what keep me from locking them both in the basement.

Just this week I had the chance to see my little boy through the eyes of his teacher. Nas is in kindergarten this school year and he's doing great: he's made friends, loves art class (who knew?!), and makes sure to remind me he has homework to do on his off days. I'll be honest, I didn't expect Nas to be into school the way he is. No, he's not giddy to go to school, least of all the night before. But apparently, he takes pride in his work and is absorbing so much more than I see when we complete his homework worksheets which are very repetitive, but what do I know?

I received a call from Mrs. L that she would be sending Nas home with some first grade homework because, "He's doing awesome!" Her words, not mine. I was so proud of my Super Mario Brothers-"Phineas and Ferb"-action hero-loving little boy. Sure, I know how well he is coming along in his reading - "Mommy, why would anyone 'Eat Pray Love'?" he asks when he sees the movie title on television - but I have no clue where he's supposed to be at this level so I chalk it up to him being on track. But she is having him take their current class work a step further - which so excites me! If he's ready, let's keep him moving forward.

So he's doing well academically, but he's also standing up for his friends, is very polite, and plays with a girl in his class "because sometimes she has no one to play with." I'm not sure if Mrs. L tells Nas how great all of this is, but it's nice to know from another adult in his life, that my prayers for my precious son and all the good I hope to put into him oozes out into the outside world.

I complain...I complain a LOT (just ask Babe!) about how much constant work motherhood is, and I don't know a good mom on earth who would disagree. But even on my hardest, longest day, hearing such a good report about my little boy reassures me that I am doing something right. I just have to stay devoted to my job as their mother and pray, God please, fill in the gaps. All of the sibling bickering aside, I truly am one very proud mama.