How a 3rd grade chorus made me cry...

Before I get to that teaser, there's a few other happenings at our house that are "share-worthy." Max got invited to a birthday party by one of his old classmates at daycare. The party was at the fire station, which I didn't even know was possible! The party started with a tour of the station, then the fireman showed all the kids his gear and how to put in on, then ended with rides in the fire truck. They loaded up the truck with 5 parents/kids at a time and took them for a spin...how fun is that?!!! We weren't sure if Max was going to go-he was pretty intimidated by the size-but when everyone else had a turn, including Mykah, there was enough room for Mama & Daddy, too, so he reluctantly agreed. I have to admit, I was pretty excited (even at my age) to ride on the truck!


I had my hand on his leg in the beginning...I knew he had finally relaxed a little when he pushed my hand away and said, "No touch Maxie leg!"

Mykah got to ride in the front seat, right next to the driver!!

And, yes, Joe lived out a childhood fantasy, as well!!!
In addition to crying at the concert, I spent most of Mother's Day morning crying-SHOCKER!!! Joe was in Texas recruiting, so I was expecting a pretty low-key day. My daughter had other plans...
On Wednesday, she took her own money to school and bought a carnation to give to me on Sunday. How she managed to keep the secret, I'll never know! After conspiring with Joe, she laid out a plan. On Mother's Day morning, she was going to bring me breakfast in bed. She knew she wouldn't be able to cook anything, so Joe helped her settle on cold cereal and juice and she spent the next couple of days asking me subtle questions like, "If you could have any cereal in this house, what would it be?" When I woke up after a very long night with Josh, he was not in my room. Luckily, Mykah came in shortly after I opened my eyes and told me not to move and she had taken Josh downstairs so I could sleep a little longer. When she came back, she had a cookie sheet with cereal, juice, flowers that she had been collecting and home made presents! The tears started flowing as I stared at my beautiful and sweet daughter, marveling at her heart. She told me that she knew I would be a little sad because Daddy was not here and she wanted to make up for it...I think she nailed it, don't you?!!!


Yes, the picture had to be taken after I ate, because I couldn't see anything for awhile through the tears...
So, here's how a 3rd grade chorus made me cry (If you want to listen to the music, you have to scroll all the way down the blog and push pause on the music player)
Most of you who read this know that Mykah & I were on our own for the 5 years between when she was born and when I married the love of my life. While those 5 years were far from easy, they helped shape the mom & wife I am today, and for that, I will always be grateful. There were many unanswered prayers that I didn't understand, and many gray skies, regardless of the weather. So as most moms do, I sang to Mykah-every chance I got. The song of choice, You Are My Sunshine. It's how I felt about her...my sunshine when skies were gray. When Mykah was old enough to sing on her own, she sang to me-the same song-but in her 3 year old version the skies were "grape".
Fast forward- the end of the chorus concert, the kids all sat down and the director turned to the audience and said it was time for a sing a-long...I'm sure you can guess by now the song was You Are My Sunshine. And I bawled like a baby...remembering the hard times when she still had eyes full of trust even though I had NO idea what I was doing and cherishing the present time-picturing her pride as she walked into my room with that cookie sheet full of memories. Enjoy the music, I know I did...





Mykah, you are (1/3 of) my pride and joy...I love you forever,
Mama