The three sweetest words

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwhind of emotions and activity. Family forgot my birthday--I got a "happy birthday" in passing, but that was the extent of birthday greetings from some family members. I try hard to convince myself it doesn't mean I'm not important to them, but it doesn't work.

Later that some day, I got a horrible e-mail from a family member's boyfriend. I like to think that I would normally, just let the e-mail slide off my back..but being the third e-mail from "family" in the past 6 months and I was convinced that I was a horrible person and totally and completely unloved.

But, Jon and the kids and good friends and my mom and some siblings, were there to convince me I was a good person, loved and treasured. Between Quad Cities, fun at the cabin, fun in Madison, getting to know other moms and having the kids and Jon spoil me for my birthday, Mother's Day and anniversary, I found myself forgetting the hurt of forgotten birthdays, hurtful e-mails, horrible accusations from "family" and self-doubt.

Then came a horrible speech therapy session and separation anxiety. Aaron was less than cooperative, I was frustrated, the speech therapist was frustrated and I was ready to throw in the towel. I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to keep a strong front for Aaron, help him remember that he can do anything and God can and will use him for mighty ways. Throw in Kate and horrible separation anxiety--I was emotionally, physically and spiritually drained.

After a fun-filled, super emotional weekend to Madison, I was dreading a busy weekend filled with vacation bible school, speech therapy, swim lessons, library programs and the regular things we needed to do.

Monday, among the chaos of the first day of Vacation Bible School, I fought with a reluctant Christopher to go to this class, wore a tired Kate, and hoped that Aaron would adjust quickly to his class and not cling to my legs. Not even 45 minutes into Vacation Bible School and my mood lifted.

There, my speech delayed son, stood babbling non-stop. 2 hours later, I was soaring, wondering what came over him. Got home a little after 12:30 and what normally, would be an exhausting time of fixing lunch, calming Kate, breaking up squabbles...was enjoyable. Who cares if they were fighting, Kate could cry for a little bit as I talked to her from the kitchen..Aaron was babbling and had barely stopped for a breath. Tuesday was pretty much a repeat of Monday and words were being added left and right. Some new, some that he began using without any prompting. I thought for sure that come Wednesday, we'd be taking the leap back to "normal". He didn't babble as much, but still talking without much prompting.

Woke up this morning, somewhat dreading, bracing myself for the worst. Walked into the living room and was greeted by Aaron's normal morning hug. Then he said the three sweetest words "daddy, mommy up." 3 words! My baby boy said 3 words..in a row..without prompting.

Shortly after it was therapy time. The therapist was barely through the front door, when he informed her "baby, daddy, bye-bye." She grinned at me and I said he's been talking non-stop all week. 45 minutes later, we were all on cloud 9. Aaron talked without prompting, repeated words he has never said before and gave the therapist a huge hug before she left.

I have been looking forward to the day that Aaron tells me "I Love You" without prompting and while I'm sure that I'll cry buckets when he utters those words for the first time without any encouragement..."Daddy, mommy, up" sounds just as sweet.

It helped put a lot of things, into perspective. Aaron showed he loved and treasured me, by being excited that I was up and wanting to tell others (after he told Jon, he went and told Christopher). Family, may not have remembered my birthday, but they love my children and that matters more than me. Hurtful e-mails may take years to get over, but they were all in response to how they felt I was hurting others and that's a testimony of love.

I know that there will be more unforgotten birthdays, more hurtful e-mails and Aaron may at any minute just stop talking again...but for now I'm taking joy in those three little words and hopefully next time I get frustrated I'll remember today.