WHAT DO I GET?

What do I get for 40 weeks of aches pains, stretch marks and constant running to the bathroom? What do I get for the night time feedings and changing dirty diapers? What do I get for repeating my colors hundreds of times every day? What do I get for absentmindedly singing the songs the stuff animals and toys sing? What do I get for permanently having a stoop in my shoulders from holding little hands as they hold on as if you will die if you plop on your bottom as your little fat legs shuffle down the hallways? What do I get for singing until my voice is hoarse or shushing until my lips are chapped? What do I get for the thousands of loads of laundry? What do I get for the millions of meals that have been prepared? What do I get for the hours that have been spent in praying, crying and worrying over the present and future of each child? What do I get for preparing the countless birthdays that come back around every year? What do I get for laying by a crib with a sick baby in it and making sure each breath comes when it should? What do I get for the things I have sold and the sacrifices made to purchase diapers, food, formula and pay bills to keep the power on? What do I get for all the fears I have calmed and the countless giggles I have coaxed out of each baby? What do I get for teaching you how to talk, walk, have manners, write your name, color between the lines, and respect others? What do I get for driving you to school each day? What do I get for packing your lunches and making sure you have enough snacks so you won't starve before we get home? What do I get for moving you from here to there to make sure you are getting a good education and are treated well by the teachers? What do I get for encouraging you to have a good relationship with your dad? What do I get for lifting people up to you that hurt me daily? What do I get for buying you a second pair of shoes and trying to make my underclothes last for one more month with holes in them or wires exposed? What do I get for giving you half of my meal when you have already eaten your own? What do I get for buying your favorite things even when I don't have enough money to get something I like too? What do I get for making sure you know you are loved and cared for by everyone around you even if it means swallowing my pride and supporting people who don't return the love? What do I get for being a mom?
I get to see a my body as a tool to preform a miracle. I get to see the first breath and the first smile. I get to rock you in the rocking chair and caress your downy soft hair as a grin starts from the corner of your mouth and you forget to suck because it has spread all over your face. You look at me as if I am your world and the only love you will ever have. I get to see those colors turn into awards and accomplishment as you spout of the color of everything that is moving. I get to sing those songs with you as you act like I am a genius for remembering the words. I get to be there when those little fat legs quit wobbling and those little chubby fingers release my hands for the first time and you look at me and take off down through the house like you had done it a hundred times before. I get to see your little scowl relax to the sound of my voice and know that it was the soothing sound of me that caused you to relax. I feel the best sense of accomplishment knowing that I discovered the best way to hold you to help you sleep through an upset tummy. I have laid on the floor and counted seconds in between breaths, have held you in the bathroom while it was steaming up to help you breathe. It was me that lost sleep to make sure you were sleeping. I get to pray for you as I fold every article of clothing and watch you grow by the second. I get to hear the exclamation of pleasure because I cooked your favorite meal or teach you to be thankful even when you don't like something. I get to learn how to trust God and teach you to do the same with every thing and every phase. I may not get a party but seeing the joy on your face when you are at your own is better than any surprise I could have gotten. The furniture and items that were sold are just that, things. You, I could never ever replace but there is always another store. Every fear that has been relieved I have been there to sing, tell stories, and scare the bad guys away. I was super mommy and mommy monster to scare giggles out of you. I get the satisfaction of knowing that if it wasn't for me you wouldn't be where you are. I get grief for making the hard decisions, but from you I get grace. I get a "Mommy you're the greatest." With that good education I will get kids that will carry on the legacy I am creating. I get a well rounded and confident child by telling you that your dad loves you and works hard with me to help you get where you need to go in life. I get to see you grow in confidence because you have people that love you, whether or not they love me doesn't matter in the long run. I get to see you take off outside to show me how fast those new shoes help you run. I get to see the grin on your face as you run to catch a fly ball with your new baseball cleats on. I get to eat less calories and see you grow stronger every day as you finish off my meal. I get to buy your favorites and that makes it my favorite to be able to afford that little bit of joy for you. I get to see you grow up and know what kind of person I am to support other people even when they don't deserve to be around you. What do I get for being a mom? I get the world wrapped up in a little boy and girl's body. I may not get a trophy for every load of laundry and every time I clean or make a sacrifice, but you reap the benefits of my work even if I never see it.  I may make sacrifices for you and you may never know it, but you will reap what I have sown whether it be good or whether it be bad. I get to see the world through new eyes every day. I get a reason to breathe, laugh and love. I get little bitty hands circling my neck and wet kisses every day. I get high fives and thumbs up and manly head nods to acknowledge my approval. I get to see the goodness of God every day in the form of you. You are what I got when I asked, "Where is my reward?" God looked at me and said to double my blessing and gave me both of you. What do I get for being a mom? A piece of Heaven on earth.