until my 6-year-old utter out the other day,

So, during my trip back home I witnessed what everything my mom and mother-in-law did for me and my family, suddenly realized that I am doing the same for my girls if not more even though I was often in disagreement with my mom and MIL.  Being a daughter and being a mom are really interrelated and is just amazing how I rediscover myself this way.

Well, a small reflection (maybe 1%) of my 8 years parenting gripes before the trip were more like this;

How can I not be tired when

• my 5 year old who should be sleeping through the night keeps calling and I can’t get 3-hour straight sleep;

• I just want to have a quiet moment when my 8 year old and 6 year old drama queens are singing and dancing High School Musical or Hanna Montana in the background, for the 12^th time of last hour and there’s no earplug in the house;

How can I not be frustrated when

• I only ask a simple yes/no question (i.e. Are you done your homework yet?) and got 15 minutes of show down of ” you know what happened at recess? Rena and Jess got into fight then carried into the classroom, so the whole class was discussing how to respect friends and so the teacher asked everyone to write a short paragraph about it and I have lots of  great ideas about it and I just need a need paper and sharp pencil and…”

• My 5 year old still forgot to flush the toilet when she finishes, after I’ve deliberately told her 2,190 times (three times a day for 2 years) ?

How can I not be worried when

• My super hyper sensitive 7 year old  comes home the first day of school and told me that, she has been called names and no one wants to play with her ?

• My 6 year old had general anesthesia for her dental surgery and was in the operating room for over two hours as opposed to the original 45 minutes?

It’s when I snap this picture that a light bulb went on…

How can I not be happy when

They insist kisses, hugs and say “I love you” every night before sleep no matter what had just happened 2 minutes ago,

How can I not be proud of when

Knowing that they are healthy, growing happily and soon they’ll be greater than “The Great Wall of China”.

I decided to reward myself on this year’s Mother’s Day, and these are my best gifts.

What about you? What are you proud of being a mama? What will be your Mother’s Day gift this year?