Day Eighty - Two

Wow!!!! I feel like a rock star!!!

Yesterday, I was given a lemonade stand and today I got tagged! From one of my favorite blogs -- Keep in Touch with Mommakin (randomthoughts-tammy.blogspot.com). Tammy is uber-cool, funny, and shares a distinctively varied love of music with me. (We both love to rock and yet we can totally groove the Manilow and the Carpenters.)

So here's the rules...

I have to share five experiences that shaped me as a Theta Mom - THE True Authentic Mom and to tag five other THETAs.

Here we go...

1. First, and foremost -- my mom. Everything that I am is a reflection of her (well, I'm sure that my Dad had a hand, too, but we are focusing on the mommas right now!). I often think about what she would do in any given situation. I guess that you would say I think about WWMD? Mostly, she shaped my integrity. She told me (untold numbers of times) that the one thing I truly owned was my word. It was also the one thing that I couldn't take back. She stressed that I not speak frivolously or viciously because the repercussions would far outlast any momentary satisfaction.

2. Growing up being bullied. I was bullied for many years. It fundamentally shaped who I am. I had a birthmark on my nose and I was teased incessantly, called names ("hickey nose" -- I had to ask my mom what a hickey was?!?!) I always knew that I would be a mom and I decided way back then that my children would NEVER be bullies. I hope to raise them with such solid self-esteems that they would be bully-proof but also that they would be strong enough that they would never need to push someone down to feel lifted.

3. Seeing the ultrasound of my son at 14 weeks. While I was profoundly affected by seeing all of the ultrasounds of both of my children, this was the first moment that I truly felt that I was responsible for another human being. That was so profound and so life-altering. I will never be the person I was before.

4. I'm a wackadoo! Anyone who has read more than one day knows that. I am silly, very often weird, and I love music (including my well-documented passion for all things corny and schmaltzy!) and am constantly singing or dancing. I have been caught in elevators or stairwells that I thought were empty blowing off the roof singing Elton John's "Levon". Embarrassing? Yes. But it doesn't stop me. I share this with my kids. Sometimes they love it -- "Do it again, Mommy" and sometimes they don't -- "Mommy, you no sing" (literally closing my lips!). But I hear them singing and it makes me smile. One day, their kids will love it or hate it but it will always be a part of who they are.

5. Five things, huh? I love God. I love my husband. I love my kids. What can I say? Everything I do is shaped by that.

Now here I get to tag five more mommas. Again, the choosing is the tough part. But I tag...

1. Mostly Flummoxed (http://geeneva.blogspot.com/)

2. Stir Fry Awesomeness (http://stirfryawesomeness.blogspot.com/)

3. That Girl Blogs (http://newthatgirlblogs.blogspot.com/)

4. Raising My 4 Sons (http://newthatgirlblogs.blogspot.com/)

5. Life Laugh Latte -- 2 Mommas, 1 Great Blog (http://lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com/)

Thanks for inspiring me!