Surprise! by Sylvia Broussard

After trying unsuccessfully for 13 years to have a baby, we decided to adopt and contacted an adoption agency who then put us on a waiting list. Three years later after the whole adoption process, we got a call and were told we were approved and were put on another list telling us they would call us when they had a baby that was matched with us. Seven months later we were called to pick up our baby boy the next day.

The most exciting day in my whole life. I sobbed to no end when this baby was put in my arms. And to top it off he looked just like his new dad! Well, three weeks later I began to feel nausea every day, thinking it was from the anxiety of having a baby. A close friend laughingly said maybe I was pregnant and suggested I go for a pregnancy test (as at that day and age there were no instant home pregnancy tests). After her constant pleading with me I finally agreed, but was embarrassed about doing it, as I did not want to be laughed at when the test proved to be negative.

But here comes the most unique moment in my life, when I was told over the phone the test proved positive. So naive, I asked the nurse if she was telling me yes it was positive I was pregnant, or no it was positive I was not pregnant. So, 7 1/2 months later, we had our second son, two years later had our third son, and two more years later, had our fourth, who has turned out to be autistic, but is now at 24 a joy after many long struggling years.

And to end this story, I need to add that when our first two were seen together, people would ask if our 2nd son was the adopted one, as our truly adopted one looked so, so much like my husband, and still does so at 28 including disposition, character and all!

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Thank you so much, Sylvia, for sharing this remarkable story with other mom readers. What a lovely surprise that must have been all those years ago. Of course, I have a soft spot for any mom with four sons!

If anyone would like to e-mail Sylvia her address is sylvia.broussard@yahoo.com.
~ Maureen :)

One Month's Reprieve

OK ladies, I just can't scrap Mom Moments yet. Maybe I should...but I can't, so it hangs on until one brave soul gets the ball rolling. I'll give it another month. Maybe some of you other Catholic moms coming over from CatholicMom.com to check out my Web site have something you'd like to share.

Perhaps with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube you moms are tweeted out. One month - then it's curtains for Mom Moments.

~ Maureen :)

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Surely someone out there must have an anecdote they'd like to share with our readers. This is supposed to be your place to brag or complain or whatever. I'll give this plea two more weeks and if I still have no takers, then Mom Moments shall be a thing of the past. C'mon, jump in. Save Mom Moments!

~ Maureen :)

How's Your Memory?

Click over to http://television.aol.com/insidetv/2008/05/05/tv-moms-quiz/ and take a fun TV moms quiz. I got 10 correct. Not very good!

~ Maureen :)

Go to Your Heavenly "Not the Mama"

Oh, moms, who among us doesn't long to be cared for? We are the caregivers throughout all of history. Whether we like it or not, we are the ones everyone runs to for help, encouragement, sustenance. We're it.

Remember the primetime cartoon series, Dinosaurs? Whenever the youngest baby dinosaur referred to his father he called him, "Not the Mama." I howled at it then and I howl at that reference now, understanding the wisdom behind the writer's words. Had to be a woman writer - just had to be.

Have you been struggling with your mom role? Are your children young or a bit older? Or have they flown the coop entirely? As you know, mine are older but still live at home while attending college - all four of them!

I yearn for so much. One day I'll be in a "What If" mood about my life's choices, and the next I'll think I'm right where God wants me. Who knows? Certainly not I.

Throughout my years of inner-struggle I have come to rely on friends who are close to God, thereby plunking me closer to Him - I hope! When my boys were younger I really did not listen to God much at all except on Sunday morning during Mass. There was simply so much to do. You know. Every mom knows. So I did. I tried to do all that was required of me. I did way too much. I know that now.

What have I learned? What would I change? I would take the advice given in today's retreat to heart: I would ask God every day, many times a day, to "help me to listen for Your voice." We moms act like we must know it all and do it all. But we don't. That way of thought makes us crazy!

At this point of my life I trust that God does care for me, forgive me, and love me. I feel all three every day. And for that I am so very grateful. I wish you the intelligience to turn to God...right now.

~ Maureen :)
4/02/09 Celebrating Reconciliation

Role Reversal

I think Mom Moments come to mind much easier when your children are younger. Our children say the cutest things when they are young or perform the funniest antics. Heck, most of the goofiest moments are plastered on YouTube for all to see.

But as our children grow and mature they lose their sense of wonder; they don't seem to have as many silly or outrageous moments. At least that's how it is with my boys - my men.

Yesterday I had one of those, "Wow, what a wonderful person you are," revelations about my oldest son. He came home for dinner, found me in the kitchen, and very seriously asked if I would please pray for someone. The fact that he requested my prayers is actually a common occurrence. However, it is not a common occurrence as to the person for whom he asked my prayers.

This person has caused my son MUCH turmoil in the past. As fellow moms, I know you ladies out there can relate. When another person repeatedly hurts your child, that's about as bad as it gets. It's quite hard, edging on impossible, to have kindly feelings toward that person.

Apparently, I am happy to say that the parent in me must not have done such a bad job if my son is capable of feeling such great compassion for this woman. He went on and on relating to me the fact that she is very sick indeed yet smiled such a genuine smile as she said goodbye. He got the feeling she didn't have many more days to smile.

So I will pray for her and I ask you to pray for her, also. Perhaps she has already found a kind of peace. Perhaps she is happy this world may not be her home for much longer, or maybe she just needs God's help to regain her strength. Whatever God's will is for her, I do not hold those bad feelings toward her anymore. I believe she was a pawn in the grand scheme of things.

Obviously, my son let go of any such resentment; I'm happy I am able to, also. We can learn a lot from our children.

~ Maureen :)

Just Polishing Up My Crown

Take a look at my son in the light suitcoat over there to the right. Guess what he told me after watching one of the many jewelry commercials on TV before Valentine's Day? He's going to buy me a crown! Rings and necklaces aren't good enough for me! Can't you just see me grocery shopping in my tiara? I wonder what I'm getting from the other boys? Hmmm...

Any special valentine memories you'd like to share about your children? Be happy to post them.

~ Maureen :)