Happy Mother's Day!

We spent it with Molly and the kids because, as I pointed out to Molly, this may be the last time we EVER get to spend Mother's Day together in our LIVES.

We had a nice trip down there; when Rachel wasn't being fussy in her car seat, she got us to sing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Twinkle, twinkle, little star." All she has to do is approximate the words and tune to one of those songs and we know exactly what she's talking about so we join in. Then we usually move on to, "He's got the whole world in his hands." So picture Drew and I singing to the little girl as we head down the highway and, as Drew remarked, "You're back in volunteer mode, aren't you?" YES, I was remembering Namibia and all the Sixties lefty protest songs that a whole African village is probably still singing. Which is why it was totally approriate to do this as we drove to Eugene, the hippie capital of the universe.

Molly's kids arrived at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Drew cooked breakfast for everyone, then Molly, the kids and I and Rachel headed to Molly's church. It's a mellow Christian fellowship and aside from the mentions of Jesus there was a lot I could relate to. Rachel spent time in the nursery and barely noticed when I came back; she was evidently having a lot of fun! Then we came back to Molly's where I napped a bit while Drew packed the car. Molly begged me to stay until Monday but I insisted we needed to get back home.

On the drive back, Rachel gave me the best Mother's Day gift ever: She said, "hi mama!" from her car seat. "Hi Rachel!" I replied.

"I love you," she said -- TOTALLY UNPROMPTED!!

"I love you too!" I said back, and almost started crying with happiness. This is what having a child does to you.

Then a couple of minutes later she said, "Daddy ha boo eyes," -- Daddy has blue eyes!

"Did you HEAR that?" Drew demanded. I think it was her first grown-up sentence!

When we got home she and Drew gave me two lovely gifts: a certificate for a spa that he demanded I actually use and not put off; and a magnet with "I love you Mom," that Rachel helped make in daycare. I promptly put it on the refrigerator and I swore to Drew that I would never, ever throw it away. Now I know why moms get obsessive about keeping boxes and boxes and boxes of their children's treasures.

Lastly a big thank-you for the most tears-inducing gift: A book called "Mars needs Moms!" from Daniella. It's by Berkeley Breathed, the cartoonist of "Opus," fame. It is so touching that I started crying when I opened it on Saturday, and I re-read it just now and started crying again. Thank you, Daniella. You're a no. 1 mom and no. 1 sister! I'm so lucky to have so much!