Please, Mom Please

Noah and I took our Wednesday Venture to see Grandma and Grandpa Hart at the Marriott Hotel. He was off track, it had been cold and raining, and an invitation was extended...so we accepted. There was room service, swimming, visits to the Concierge, in room movies, a Murphy bed and chocolate ice cream. All, with the exception of the Murphy bed, began with "Please, Mom Please." What parent does not want to give their child the whole world? I jumped into the joys of pleasing Noah with both feet.

The following day, Grandpa, Noah and myself decided to give our imaginations a whirl at Discovery Gateway. If you are missing that youthful heart, grab a child and explore...magnets, stories, media, helicopters, building blocks, legos, grocery store, farm, mail man...it is there. As I observed, it was evident that this place was not just for children. It proved to be everything Noah (and Grandpa) hoped it would be. One could hardly get up the strength to leave such fun behind. The little gift shop was the perfect lure to the exit...

But ah, the gift store, to take some of this fun and adventure home with you. Noah wandered that store looking for the perfect souvenir to purchase. I am in this rock and a hard place trying to teach him you don't have to get a prize every time you leave the house kind of mode. Nonetheless, we looked. He picked up tops and magnets and then he saw under the 30% off pile, a box of blocks. We don't have blocks at the clubhouse. He does like to build. Even Grandpa thought this was a worthwhile item. Twenty dollars plus 30% off couldn't do too much damage was my thought.

I overheard Grandpa ask the woman the price of these blocks. "One Hundred Thirty Four Dollars, and with the 30% off about $91."Are you kidding me? Who spends that kind of money on children's toys? "Please, Mom Please..." was the repeated phrase, then the tears and the begging. Both Grandpa and myself wanted to get those blocks in the worst way. I thought of the many trips to the grocery store aisle and the number of cheap toys that were purchased only to be broken before arriving home...the difference was the cost. It would not cost either of us much money to learn that the toy was a cheap imitation for happiness. I held firm in my resolve, "That is just too much money. Surely we can find some blocks for less money elsewhere...I am sorry, no, we are not going to get the blocks...If it is still something you want, you can save your money for them." This wasn't spoiled brat kind of tantrum, it was broken hearted. I felt so sad and yet I knew this item was not worth the cost. Noah could not understand it now, but I knew with time and maturity, the day would come when he would be grateful we didn't spend that much money on a set of blocks. After I dropped him off, I started to reflect on the frustrations of my day. I too, had wanted something desperately. I too threw my own kind of tantrum when information I had been waiting for had been postponed once again. I thought of my loving and wise Heavenly Father. How many times I go to Him in prayer, "Please, Father, Please."...and how He must delight to be able to give me things that will bring such a sense of joy.

There must be some things that I ask for that He knows is just a cheap imitation, but there is little or no cost, and so He allows the lesson of learning. Then there must be times when I want something that seems to fit my needs perfectly and so I plead and there must be other times when He wants in the worst way to provide me with those things, but He knows that a particular something is not worth the cost and so He says "no," knowing that with time and maturity, I will be grateful I did not indulge at so great a cost.

What I learned from Noah: We are not so different. Noah wanted something. I wanted something. Both behaved similarly. Both will now wait for time and maturity to teach us the cost of this lesson...and that Heavenly Father loves me enough to say "no" sometimes, just as I said "no" to Noah.

Just a Minute

It was Noah's first basketball game of the year. I was especially curious to see how he'd perform following the basketball camp that Santa had arranged for him. The game was not until 11:00 a.m. Yeah!! I have time to exercise and organize a few things. It appeared I was missing my scissors. I hopped off the bike and went on a quick search. I found Noah's pj's on the ground, but I couldn't see him anywhere. I thought just maybe he would be lying on the couch with his dad. I checked--no Noah. I called for him again and walked back towards his room. All of the sudden he popped up from the side of his bed with a grin a mile wide. I could hardly contain my joy. Noah being so excited, dressed (without being asked) in his basketball uniform. I was surprised he didn't have to be reminded.  He usually comes into the exercise room and says, "morning mom," but not today. Today was game day.

Dad was in charge of breakfast. Noah decided to help. It wasn't long before Noah came up and asked me where his white lycra undershirt was. I replied "just a minute." I convinced him to eat in his plain white t- shirt so his lycra shirt wouldn't get dirty.

Noah called me down to join them for breakfast; "just a minute."The minutes passed and it wasn't long before my boy came with a plate of scrambled eggs in hand. "For you mom." I ate while I biked.

Breakfast was over and Noah had done what he was asked--to wait and eat breakfast first and then he could put on his schmanzy white shirt. "Mom, I checked in the dryer and it is not there." I suggested a few other places. He started to whine and I began getting irritated. "JUST A MINUTE NOAH!"  Huff, huff, I got off the bike to help him look. I had 20 minutes clocked on the bike and the time was ticking.  "How will I exercise, shower and be on time for the game if I have to stop and look for a shirt?  It could be anywhere. I have found shirts underneath the pillows in the living room, socks behind the TV, church clothes in the coat closet and underwear stuffed in his backpack." Noah's dad added an extra set of eyes and joined the search. He felt the anxiety that comes with missing a shirt on game day, but more importantly he was frustrated with me."When did you know Noah had a game?" In other words, I am his mom and finding his shirts and having them ready for his game is my job and should be my priority.

For the last few minutes on the bike, I had time to think about the exchange. My most important job--that of being Noah's Mom. It is the job I cherish and I treasure. I decided to get off the bike early so I could be on time for Noah's game. "Just a minute" is a phrase that is overused in our household.

What I learned from Noah and his dad: Being Noah's Mom means loving to do the things that Noah needs and often making a sacrifice or two. Next time he is missing his shirt, Noah's Mom will reply, "I'll be right there."

I Have Waited My Whole Life

Finally after 4 days of printing, copying, cutting, and pasting--my planner is complete. I think to myself next year I will pass on the "custom made" planner. Though it has everything I need, it has cost me time, money, and printer ink. (Franklin Covey is not looking so expensive right now.)

While waiting for the pages to print out, I thought that I would update all my address and contact information. Again, another timely project. All the while, Rick still wondered about dinner and Noah wanted to know what I was hiding below that mountain of laundry.Tomorrow, laundry will be the top of my priority list, ah that is after the invitations. Noah would like to have a party for his Teddy Bears and other Stuffed Animals. He had it planned down to the last detail. He wanted to build a fort or tent out of blankets. For nibbling, pizza and cookies were placed on the menu. I am game. Actually it would be a nice retreat for Noah's Mom. I wondered if he would care if I hired out for someone to give me a pedicure while the rest of the gang colors and plays.

The last planner page had just been printed. I decided it would be nice to have a paper copy of the addresses to put in with my planner. I hit the "PRINT" button. Out came one nice color copy of "Go Diego, Go."That is odd. I remembered Noah had been on my computer. After the seventh copy, I checked the status of print jobs--82!!!! Oh I must have a talk with Noah. One by one I canceed his print jobs. I'm sure there is a way to "DELETE" them all at once, I just haven't figured that out yet. Deleting--also a timely project...and Rick wonders where I spend all my time.

Noah came in with a stack of sealed envelopes. I guess he grew impatient. He has done the invitations himself and is waiting for me to deliver them. Thank goodness he didn't find the stamps. He uses stamps like stickers.Yes, even the mail we send out can become very costly.

Noah cried because the party wasn't tonight--a school night. I told him he could have the party on Friday or Saturday. Tearfully he responded,"wha wha we wha ee ah teahh." I told him that I couldn't  understand him when he was crying.  He replied, "you heard me!....I have been waiting all my life for this!"

What's a mother to do? I put up the tent at least!

What I have learned from Noah: Noah knows how to use a copier, he is an expert at party planning and even Noah, in his young age...waits his whole life for things.