- Last week, I saw a rainbow. I have forgotten how long it was the last time I saw one. It was so beautiful. On the other hand, MLS was so excited to experience rain and sunny weather all at the same time. It was his first time and he could not stop talking about it. Talk about a kid’s inquisitive mind. Also, I have learned to say YES to every spontaneous invite TGL asks of me, had I stuck with my to dos, I would have lost another chance to see a rainbow so yes, STOP…and see a rainbow.
- We have accomplished so much over the past 2 weekends. Staying at home, running errands and making the ‘anticipated mass’ and house-fixing, our priorities over eating out and malling. Since TGL’s weekend mini-business trips are over, we have more time to relax on weekends. Not to mention that finally, I have finished researching on insurance business providers for TGL’s Aunt.
- Last night, I got the most important compliment of my life. My mom told me I am such a good mother to MLS (her words: ‘Isa Kang Mabuting Ina’). While talking to her, I just took it like an ordinary compliment until I went to bed and thought about it. Coming from my mom who is so-not-generous when it comes to complimenting me as a person more so, as a mother, I knew it was a BIG DEAL.
The last part of my snippet made me think how my spiritual life has grown because of our move here. I did not have this strong relationship with God back in my homeland. I just took it like an obligation to go to church every Sunday, pray before sleeping for my family’s safety and thank Him for the everyday blessings through my St. Jude weekly mass with friends. But the spiritual bond I have with my Creator has not been solidify until I got here. He was and still is my constant confidante on every bit of struggles and milestones on my life as an immigrant.
Looking back, the first couple of years of adjustment here was a struggle. Juggling Graduate School, pakikisama with relatives (specifically, in-laws), not having that much of a social life and trying to adjust to my fulltime motherhood roles. I always thought that I lack in the maternal instinct when I was back home, having 2 nannies and 2 mothers (my mom and TGL’s stepmom/my MIL) who took turns in caring for MLS from infancy to toddlerhood. Heck, I do not even know how to carry an infant, TGL (yes, he was the one with the maternal instinct hee hee) and everyone else had to teach me how to do it. I have not given MLS a bath without my mom or a nanny’s assistance on his 1st year. So imagine how much adjustment and struggle I had when we moved here. That was the only time I took motherhood by heart. No Kidding.
Then MLS began his schooling, Kindergarten was a struggle because he was the energetic type, the defiant kid, the curious one, the smarter one who always questions everything. He did not have a formal pre-school experience save for short montessori and MyGym stints so this was his 1st formal and standard schooling. Luckily, he always aces all of his SOL tests but he would not sit still and do repetitive worksheets, he gets bored easily. But you know, there are standards in school and he must abide by them. He completed Kindergarten with flying colors but a lot of reminders (for him and us, as parents) from Mrs. S. (who did a great job! we got a lot of parenting wisdom from her) hee hee. Then came 1st grade, we had a very stressful 1st month because of a racist teacher. MLS developed school anxiety and we took it up to the School Board (thanks for a very strong-willed husband, I could not do it on my own. talk about atapang-atao-kind-of-attitude), MLS (along with another diverse kid aka colored-skin-kid), moved to a different class/teacher and everything went well. It was the best 1st-grade experience for him. I believe the teacher got suspended for a month or so.
This week is the last week of 1st grade and his interim report is over the top! MLS has the reading ability of a 3rd grade while he continues to excel in Math, Science and History. On top of this, his Citizenship (behavior) grade is very satisfactory earning his merits from the school principal and teachers. I cannot believe that in less than 3 months, he will step in to 2nd grade with so much dreams and aspirations as he continues to be part of the accelerated group while not losing his social skills.
Yesterday, TGL and MLS went to a laser tag party. I stayed home. When they got home, TGL had all praises of a proud father. He said that MLS was one of the few kids who knew his birthday-party-guest-manners by heart. I could not help but tear up a little, I knew that my boy is growing up to be a fine man with CHARACTER. I was observing him closely as soon as he turned 7 and I am beginning to see his REAL CHARACTER, more of his dad’s thinking and my affection. He is on the right track, I love talking to him about life’s realities and the values we try to instill in him because life out there can be such a tricky game and he knows that. We always tell him that he needs to make GOOD CHOICES no matter what.
Before going to bed Last night, I knew that my prayers are working. Yes, we may take credit for a good job as parents (pats our back) but we could not do this without HIM. WE LEARNED TO BECOME PRAYING PARENTS over the course of 7 years. I have a devotion every single day that I committed myself until forever as a mom and my mom knew that this daily prayer devotion can eat up my time (this is different from my nightly prayer) but I knew praying is way important than reading those parenting books. You know, some parents would say praying for your kids is over-rated, I beg to differ. PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN IS EVERYTHING!
This is the reason why I seldom talk about MLS’ milestones in this blog because I get carried away. I did not realize how long this entry was. I just cannot help but be a proud mama for just a short bit. I know that my young man is in Good Hands and for as long as we acknowledge His presence in this journey as parents, we will have all the strengths, wisdom, patience, skills and talents we need to be the best folks for our MLS.
