Hi,<P>I just had to share my little piece of happiness. My son (6 years old), lost his 3rd tooth yesterday at day care while at the movies and didn't make a big deal. Not a tear. Just hey mom, I lost my tooth today and I need to rinse my mouth out with salt water. <P>Then today, guess what?!?!?!? My son asked if he could take out his bike and remove the training wheels. Then after a few shakey rides, he just started going and going and going....... oh I am sooo proud. He learned to ride his bike!!!! I packed a quick dinner and we went to his school. He rode all over the place. I was so proud. I watched him grow it makes my heart swell. <P>Ok, you think wow it doesn't take much to make her feel better. Well, it really does but so little happiness has been in my life lately that this just means soo much to me right now. <P>The sad piece is that his father was not here to witness any of this momentous event. How sad. <P>There is more and not so pretty. So I will not clutter up this thread with bad stuff. Safe to say, my life is back to bad stuff. Will post it on the other thread. <P>Thanks for letting me share my happy short lived moment. <P>L.<BR>

These special moments with our children, so sweet, and so unforgetable. They are making memories and very impotant to them, even more important than our pain... I think. We do have to be there for our children first, they made no mistakes they love so wholly and purely. You sound like such a wonderful mom! To delight so fully in this GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILD!

(((((((Orchid))))))) What a precious moment to share with us - it warmed my heart and made me think how lucky we are to be Mothers.<P>It's good to find pleasure in the simple things - sometimes it's all you have, just that little island of happiness in an ocean of pain. These are the things that keep us going, that give us the will and strength to carry on.<P>One of the affirmations I have been saying to myself is "I can find happiness in every day". And it's true - even when I think I've had a really, really bad day, I can always find something, some tiny little thing, that has given me a moment of pleasure, or brought a small smile to my face. Sometimes I write them all down in my journal, such insignificant little things that can otherwise get lost in the day's struggles, such as "I ate a Strawberry today", "A kind person held the door open for me at the mall", "I'm glad I had to do the laundry today, because it means I have warm clothes to wear", "My daughter said 'I love you Mummy' today"....If you write them all down, you find that there has been more happiness in the day than you thought there was...<P>hugs, Paint.

Orchid,<BR>Watching your child/ren grow & succeed is no small thing to be happy about! It's wonderful! And learning to ride a bike is the step that comes before. . .do I say it?. . .driving a car!!!!! Yikes! I know that's many years away, but they do go quickly don't they? I'm very glad you could still enjoy these moments with your son, even with all the pain your life is in right now. He's a lucky boy to have you for a mother, and it speaks volumes about YOU!<P>I think it's a wonderful story. . .get your band-aids & your kisses ready for all the skinned knees that will come!

Losing another tooth and riding a bike without training wheels is NOT a small thing! That's pretty major wonderful stuff your son just experienced with you!! Perhaps in the whole picture (like when/if he makes you a grandma), then it's not as big.... but for now, it sure is!! <P>My good news kids story is that the twins slept through the night again (WOOHOO!!!) last night, and my 2 yr old didn't have a temper tantrum on me yesterday (even right after his nap...little grouch! LOL). Small things? Perhaps. But pretty big things to me right now. <P>I'm still thinking of you and how you're doing will everything. ((((((((( Orchid ))))))))))<P>Karen<BR>

I share in your joy. My son is just beginning to ride his bike with training wheels and he's getting ready for preschool. It's amazing that no matter what is going on around you, you're children can bring you soooo much joy!! Hope that you have a most delightful day. When the rain comes, think of the son!!!

Hi Orchid:<P>Your post brought back some happy memories for me today...and I thank you for that...sometimes I wish I could have those days back again...they go so fast...cherish them...and don't let anything take away your happiness in them...because in the long run...WH is the loser...he's the one who'll never have the memories...and the memories are warm familar friends that you can go to now and again and take comfort in. <P>(((Orchid))))<P>Faye

Orchid,<P>I got warm and fuzzy all over.(((((((((((()))))))))))<P>I also think that i hope it's not me missing that stuff.<P>I'm sure I'll miss some.<P>As for H, his loss, unfortunately, althought they don't realize today, its the kids' loss also.<P>When I get down, I have a friend who wons a junk yard, he is the happiest guy you'll ever meet. He reminds me, we live in America in the year 2001. The greatest country in Society in History! So if you think you have it bad, think fo rthe poor souls living in Croatia, of the Gaza Strip...<P>Need I Say more.<P>Hang in there, I am.<P>JK

Orchid, You are the luckest person in the world. You know why? You get to enjoy and be with your children. I know it's tough for you right know, but you get to see and be involved in their lives. If H misses out, it's his loss.<P>I'm not sure what going to happen with my situation, but one thing that sticks in my head is that if WS get custody of the kids, I WILL miss out on plenty. This would kill me.<P>Dino

(((((((((ORCHID))))))))))0 that is really great. Those little kid moments are the best. I know that the toothfairy has visited MANY times this past 16 months. My H has not been here to witness, our sopn, learn to ride his bike, swim,and catch his first 13 in 2 pound bass. Or our Oldest daughter read, loose more teeth than i thought anyone could, or learn to dance, Or our baby turn 2 and 3, learn to walk, teeth, talking LIKE A CHAMP, all the groovy baby stuff. When he gets home next month he is walkinginto a family of changes big time. <BR> I love the growing upstuff, and i like being the toothfairy, santa, and the easter bunny. But i would be lieing if i did not say I like doing it together. It was a bittersweet moment.<BR>Maine<P>------------------<BR>IN the words of BOB the BUILDER!!" WE can fix it, yes we can!!!"

Orchid,<P>Take pleasure in the small stuff. Kids grow up so fast. Ever since all this chaos has occured in my life, for some reason,(as I am analyzing everything and being melancholy), I have been having these strange thoughts. If I could just go back and spend one day when my boys were babies, toddlers, starting school. It's weird, I don't want them to be young again, but I would just like to experience their baby breath, or their chubby little hugs, or their baby talk, just once more.<P>Relish every moment, no matter how hard it is. One thing my H and I agree on through this mess, our children are the best thing we ever did. If things don't work out I will always consider them a gift he gave me.<P>Hang in there and be as positive as possible. It sounds like you are doing the quite well<P>R3

Orchid,<P>Wow! They grow up fast don't they. Keep these memories close to you for when you feel down, just think of his tooth or the training wheels.<P>Let me tell you all, Orchid's son is a CUITE!! I've met him and wow. Give him a big hug for me, would you please Orchid.<P>Let that little sunshine (son) shine brightly in your life and keep you warm.<P>(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Orchid))))))))))))))))))))))))))<P>K/LostNco/DSN<BR>[H]'s wife

Oops, double post..<P>K/LostNco/DSN<BR>[H]'s wife <p>[This message has been edited by Knewjie (edited July 12, 2001).]

Orchid- thanks so much for sharing this. I remember when H was out of the house my kids did extra things to make me feel better because they could see how upset I was about me and H being separated. ( though I didnt tell them the true reason why) I just told them H was in mid life crisis and needed time to think. One morning my kids made me breakfast in bed and other times they made me handmade cards. It meant so much to me.