Mama, I had a vision...

Okay, for those of you who have not yet been blessed with children, let me say this: Your child can be your biggest fan and your biggest critic all rolled into one. It's pretty amazing. =) As a mom, I find myself really striving to achieve all that my son believes me to be...to him I've been not only a mother, but a teacher, nurse, chef, cheerleader, housekeeper, bread winner, referee....you name it, I can do it in his eyes. At this stage in life, he only believes I'm lacking in one area - and he's pretty open about it. To him, it is a shame that I'm single.

Up until about a year ago, I really wasn't certain why he always seemed to bring up the fact that I'm single - it's not like I talk about it with him. And, he has a great relationship with his dad, so it's not like he's looking for a father. Well, a little less than a year ago, JD sat beside me on the couch one night and explained to me that he worries about me. I guess in his mind, when he's with his dad, I'm just sitting at the house waiting on him to come home and he was worried about me. It is actually really sweet. =) We talked about it, and although he brings it up every now and then, he pretty much laid off me about being single.

That being said:

Tonight, he calls to tell me goodnight and says "Mama, I had a vision today of you and you were old." Okay, I could hear the laughter in his voice, but I went along with him. "Oh really.....did I have a lot of wrinkles?" He says "Nah, you didn't look scary old, just old. You were sitting in a rocking chair, rocking, and knitting - surrounded by cats - one on each chair arm, and one in your lap." I started laughing "Child, I don't even know how to knit - and we only have two cats!" He says "Mama, I'm titling this "Your life without a man, vision". Oh yeah, he did. No really he went there. I said "Son, we've had this talk before, right? And we are doing great. I'm not stressed about being single, you should just relax." He says he's afraid I'm almost 31 and getting old....what happens if I want more kids? Seriously. I'm not certain where he gets this stuff from. I'm pretty certain I felt a wrinkle pop up when he said that.

I was laughing when I hung the phone up...remembering that this is the same child who told me that I should write down all my good qualities because he thinks I'm pretty, smart, super funny, and heck can cook, too - so he can't imagine a woman better than that. Ha! And yes, those were his words a little while back.....see what I mean? My biggest fan. That's okay, because I'm the founding member of the JD Franklin Fan Cub myself, so I guess that works both ways. =)

I love that kid. He really does keep me young.

5th Grade Field Trip...

I picked JD up after work today, and he was super excited. He was talking fast, telling me about how he needs to get to school early tomorrow, and honestly I was having a hard time keeping up. He just kept saying that I needed to get him to school early - he usually gets taken to school by his dad, so I was trying to figure out why he needed to be there early. I got him to slow down a minute and here's what he had to say.....

He wanted to get to school early, because they handed out the information about his 5th Grade field trip and it was limited to the first five chaperones that turned in their money. He was sure that I was going to chaperone and he was excited about getting to school early to turn in my money so my spot could be held. I asked the date - and he responds "May 7th".

Well, I was pretty certain when he said that date, I had New Employee Orientation scheduled for that day in May and I facilitate NEO. You know what though? It is my son's last Elementary field trip. I can guarantee you two things....1. That NEO happens every quarter and that 2. This field trip won't happen again. So, I did the only thing I could do...I called into work and let them know that on May 7th I will need someone to cover for me. On May 7th, I will be on a charter bus full of 5th graders, making memories with my son.

You see, at the end of the day, I am a mom and if there is any way I can be with my child - I'm going to do it. Thankfully, I've been blessed with a job in a company that values family. It is hard sometimes to be a working mom and always walk that balance between work and family...earning a living and living a life. I've known too many people who have grown kids and look at me and tell me not to make the same mistakes they did...not to put work above your child. The reality is that there are going to be times I have to go to work, when I would rather be with JD...um, like the whole summer. =) But I can rest at night knowing that I am doing all I can do to be a full-time mom and a full-time employee.

On a different note...the sweetest thing happened to me tonight. I have had the funk since this weekend. I was sitting on the couch and JD asked if I was still feeling bad and I said yes. He leaned over and put his hand on mine and then before I knew what he was doing, he said a prayer that I would feel better soon. Not going to lie - I teared up. I love that kid.

Okay, well we are wathing the Olympics, so I better end this post and pay attention. Y'all have a beautiful night.