So what do you want for Mother's Day?

In honor of my 8th Mother's Day (not counting all the years of 'mothering' my cat), I would like to like to list 8 things I'd like for Mother's Day.

1) I'd like to be the 'good guy' for a change.  The one that buys the kids unhealthy treats they love and not worry about their caloric or sugar intake.  The one that doesn't concern herself with bedtimes, baths or tidiness.  You know, their favorite. 

2) I'd like to just say something 1 time.  Not 40 times as in "clean up your toys" or "lower your voice" or "keep your hands to yourself."

3) I'd like to avoid housework.  That doesn't mean letting the house go for the entire day, it means having the house look exactly the same on Monday morning as it did on Saturday night without me having to do anything about it.

4) I'd like to just sit and snuggle quietly with my babies.  I don't want to get elbowed in the gut or listen to incessant talk about the various Star Wars characters.  Just snuggle.  Quietly.

5) I'd like to have a conversation with my own mom.  A conversation about what my kids are like.  A time to ask questions about her experiences in parenting or cancer or anything really. 

6) I'd like to sleep in.  A good sleep where I wake up refreshed and my body doesn't ache and I don't hear loud cartoons and I'm not rushing on my way to serve in the Nursery at church. 

7) I'd like for the contractor for our deck to be finished with his work already.  Without his delays and pathetic excuses.  Without his glare when I give a obligatory wave.  Without having to close the blinds while we celebrate Mother's Day with family while watching him work.  I mean, you work 1 day out of the last 7 and it had to be Mother's Day????!!!!

8) I'd like for the kids to stop growing up.  I love the fact that they will run into my arms for a hug and love to go to the park with me and play in the slip n' slide.

As you can see, all of these things listed are outside of my control.  Something that drives me crazy.  As I reflect on it, though, I spent my Mother's Day being a mother.  I prepared food for my children, I repeatedly reminded them to keep their voices down, I changed poopy diapers, I loaded the dishwasher, and a myriad of other maternal things.  My favorite?  I hugged my babies.  I prayed over my babies.  I loved my babies.  And that's what it's all about.