10 Things I've Learned the Last 10 Years with Bear

Happy Birthday to Bear! It's finally happened. As of 6:40am September 18th, I no longer have any single digit aged children. Wah! This means I have no exemptions from jury duty if I get called up. It also means my children are growing up way too fast! While I enjoy this age, and look forward to the people they will become, I do miss the babies they were.

I decided to make my own 10 on Tuesday in honor of Bear's day. I know with every being in my body, soul, & mind that Bear is meant to be in our family and in this world. Here are 10 Things I've Learned being Bear's Mama:

1. I have to be literal with him. If I'm not, he'll find a loophole and exploit it to his advantage.



2. He is incapable of silence. He absolutely can not do anything without making noise or talking.



3. I have re-learned that little boys are gross and laugh at inappropriate things. He also loves to say things that shock or make you laugh.



4. I have learned that any word can be used as an adjective. Johnny Cash works exceptionally well.



5. He has taught me to enjoy baseball. I can hear my dad laughing all the way in Arkansas.
   
   
6. I have learned patience. He is a drama king and I have to be patient with that. He is curious and I have to be patient with that too. Did I mention he's loud and a noise-maker? Again, I must have patience. Bubble baths are my friend!



7. I have learned the importance of setting boundaries. If you give him an inch, he expects a mile.



8. I have learned that the color orange is really a very pretty color. And the Texas Longhorns are the team to root for in our house (really, except for Bear, we have no allegiance to any Texas college team).



9. The moniker Babycakes? I have learned to love being called that. It will be a sad day when that word has left his vocabulary.



10. I have learned that a son's love is such a blessing. Being pregnant with him, I wasn't so sure it would be. Boys grow up and break their mama's hearts. How could anyone be as sweet & loving as my little daughter? He taught me!