If I Were a Mother

Riding down to Myrtle Beach last week, Joel and I sat in the very backseat for part of the journey. He grabbed my arm and stroked it lovingly. Then he said,

"If I were a mother--which is never gonna happen--and you were my child--which is also never gonna happen--I would say, 'You mean the world to me.' Why do mothers say that?"

Fridge and Magnet

Joel gave me a big, tight hug this morning.

"Boy, you're huggy today!" I said warmly.

"I'm the refrigerator and you're the magnet," he said.


I love that analogy. Just SO glad he didn't say it the other way around.

You Smell Like ...

Last night my seven-year-old Joel and I made a chocolate cake just before his shower. By the time he was out, the smell of cake wafted through the whole house.

"Mmm, can you smell that cake?" I asked him, wide-eyed. I was standing in the bedroom doorway while he was at his dresser finding clothes.

"I can't smell anything," he said.

"You can't?"

"Nope. Well, except I can smell you," he corrected, putting pants on.

"What do I smell like?" I asked, dubiously.

"Love."


I melted inside but didn't say anything. Just smiled.
He asked, "I thought you were gonna say, 'aww' and then hug me and I was gonna say 'Stop hugging me!'"

My Comparable Value

I discovered my inherent worth as a mom last night. Here's how:

Back in September Joel and I were in Barnes and Noble when he spotted a Star Wars sticker book. He loved it. Had to have it. Now. It was sooooo cool, after all.

It was $11!!I wasn't just going to outright buy it on the spot when he wanted it (though I've been known to give into his requests for anything artistic or literary).

But I would reward him with it IF he worked for it. He read (or had read to him) 50 books. The Star Wars book is now his very own.

He loves it. Though he's had it for 2 weeks, he's as much enamored of it as the day he first coveted the book. I must say, it's the classiest sticker book I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot).

Last night he was very affectionate, hugging me, wanting to snuggle, stroking my cheek and telling me it's soft as a baby's bottom.


Then, with starry eyes, he said these words: "I love you twice as much as I love my Star Wars sticker book!"