Top 10 Unexpected Joys of Motherhood

              I am working on a more cerebral post that I just can't quite get a handle on (probably because my brain really doesn't work like it used to) so in the mean time I thought I would write a quick list of the most unexpected Joys of Motherhood.

               I knew children would bring me joy but in my ideal pre-mother mind I imagined it would come in very different ways. Really I just underestimated all the little things so, here are ten things my children do (and I am sure there are more but that would require more thinking) that make me surprisingly grateful and happy to be a mom:

10. Laughing at things that are genuinely funny:  I love making people laugh, but my wit is a bit sarcastic and not exactly child-friendly all the time.   Now that some of my kids are getting older I love it when we have a genuine hard laugh, especially if I say something funny and they get it (don't worry, I save all the inappropriate humor for my husband).   Even better is seeing them develop their own sense of humor and making ME laugh. Joy.

9. Hearing the children play nicely together even when they think I am not listening: I don't have to tell you how frustrating it is when all they do is fight, fight, fight but when they stop and actually enjoy one another's company, there is nothing like it!  It's even better when they imagine together and create kingdoms and have Star Wars battles in their room, all without my help!  Joy.

8. Seeing them stick up for each other:  The other day my three year old and two year old were playing with a friend. The other little boy came and took something away from Sophia (2), and Thomas (3) marched right over and said "you don't take that fwom my sista."  He of course applied inappropriate force to get it back but then triumphantly headed right over to his little sister gave her the toy, hugged her and said "here you go Phia."  Sometimes when we are out grocery shopping he holds her hand in the parking lot and gently says "no walk in cars Phia."....Uh, sweet Joy!

7. Seeing them pray for real: Even before I had my own kids there was something beautiful about seeing a child pray. But there is something inexplicably wonderful about seeing your own child talk to God, or tell you with unabashed trust and joy that he will "just pray about it" or that he did pray about it and God answered him.  Hearing their little voices say the Rosary makes me tear up, every time. Beautiful Joy.

6. Seeing them eat vegetables:  It sounds so simple, but who knew that watching a child consume broccoli without puking could make you so happy!  Any meal that doesn't involve screaming and gagging is my favorite meal. Healthy joy.

5. Learning to put their shoes on by themselves and buckle their own seat belt:  These skills will change your life!  When you can say "it's time to go, please get your shoes on" and they can DO it! Wonderful, beautiful joy!  And when you don't have to wade through the crushed goldfish and empty molding juice cups in the car to get their seat belt on, you will start getting places 2 minutes earlier! Ah, efficient joy.

4. When they start thinking of others:  This only started recently for us with our little ones. But it is such a beautiful thing when they begin to discover that they are not the only person on earth, when they start to listen to other peoples needs and respond in love.    A few weeks ago I was sitting on the couch after dinner, folding laundry.  I was talking to my husband and said "my head hurts, I don't think I had enough water after I worked out today."  The next thing I knew my sweet Alexander (7) had climbed up on the counter, gotten a glass, filled it with water and was bringing it to me.  Pure Joy!

3. When they make each other laugh: When my two year old gets in the baby's face and makes a bunch of inexplicable sounds and pets his head and he proceeds to laugh harder and louder then he does for anyone else, because he seems to really know what she's talking about.  Joy.

2. Seeing them love books:  One of my favorite things is when a toddler brings me a book, forces themselves into my lap and says "read this mommy."  It is even better when they get older, find a book, cozy up in a chair and read to themselves!.  Beautiful Joy.

And the number ONE most unexpected source of joy....

When a toddler stops what he is doing, goes into the bathroom, pulls his pants down by himself, and put his big stinky shadoobey in the toilet where it belongs! Unspeakable, priceless, unending JOY!

What are some of your unexpected pleasures of parenting?  It's always good for us to remind each other of the little things because the rest of it is just so easy to complain about!