When people learn that I’m the mother of three boys and now a proud TK (I refuse to adopt a grandmother-ish name) to a beautiful grandson, I frequently get sympathetic smiles or comments like, “Oh heavens, your house must be a circus!” And I get it. Life in a house of boys is loud, messy, hilarious, fun, adventurous, stinky and costly (lots of ER visits and I won’t even go into our grocery bill). This life full of boys has been the greatest privilege of my life. I use the word privilege because it’s a complete honor that Christ bestowed upon me to raise up Jake, Jordan, and Jackson as his children. It’s a sacred calling, humbling and joyful, brutal and beautiful.
The bond between a boy and his mom is uniquely profound. A mother is her son’s first true love. For a season of life, a mom is a boy’s number one lady. She is his secret keeper, nurturer, provider, protector, and birthday party planner. I tended to scraped knees and broken hearts and everything in between. Deep conversations, big hugs, spontaneous snack adventures, thrilling football games, track meets, hunting, and fishing—all of these daily experiences profoundly shaped who I am in ways I could have never anticipated. It’s a different type of love than what a woman feels for her husband. It’s a love that has no boundaries, a love that has woven a rich tapestry of selflessness and joy into my life.
However sweet as this love is, please know boys absolutely love to fart. There, I said it! My sons are now 20, 22, and 25, and this observation remains as valid as ever! They spend hours flexing in front of the mirror, love playing in the dirt, and detest showers. They often forget to brush their teeth, comb their hair, and apply deodorant. Despite these quirks, they are incredibly loyal and protective, often writing me the most heartfelt love notes and with just one smile, they can charm me into granting any of their request.
Watching my firstborn, Jake, become a father reminds me how fast it all goes and how blessed I am to do it all over again, in a new and beautiful way. Right when I thought my days of Legos and sticky hands were behind me, came sweet baby Bleu. My grandson has that same sweet yet mischievous sparkle in his eyes that Jake once had- the one that says, “I’m about to do something silly and I hope you are watching.” But this time, I get to experience it with a lot more patience, a lot more wisdom, and a deep appreciation for the small moments. Much of Bleu’s laid-back, happy and content nature reflects the loving, calm and nurturing environment his mom and dad created. Jake and Parker are truly fantastic parents.
I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on what it’s been like to welcome an amazing woman into this Boy Club: enter Parker Christian Mooneyham! Our families have been close for nearly 20 years, and I still remember the fun times Kristal (Parker’s mom) and I had joking about Jake and Parker getting married. Back then, Parker was three years older than Jake and had no interest in that at all! Fast-forward to 2019, and suddenly, the age difference didn’t matter as much—love was definitely in the air! Their relationship blossomed naturally (though Kristal and I were eagerly chatting away on the phone, hoping it was the real deal), and just a few months into their dating, we all felt sure that these two were meant to be married. God called me to guide a good man and help him find a wonderful woman, continuing that beautiful cycle. Was it an easy journey? Not at all! Being a boy mom means he will walk away one day, as he should. Being a boy mom means one day I will not be number one in his life….as it should be. Being a boy mom means that one day I will take the backseat in all matters, as it should be. Being a boy mom is so beautiful and so brutal. I have tears in my eyes as I write this. Beautiful to raise a man of God who is strong, hilarious, sensitive and was all mine….brutal to let him go, as I should. I love Parker so, so much. We have a special relationship that has been built on mutual respect, love for Jake and love for one another. I am so grateful for our relationship. She is a spectacular wife and an amazing Mom. (Don’t get me started on being in the delivery room when Bleu was born, what a priceless gift that was! She seriously smiled and giggled the whole day, chatting with everyone and enjoying JoJo and Jackson messing with her…then just popped out this beautiful 8-pound Jake Junior, looking like a supermodel while doing so!)
Being a mom to three boys has been a journey filled with boundless energy, loads of laughter, and love. My boys have challenged me, inspired me, and taught me more about patience and joy than I ever thought possible. The days were loud, often long, messy, and wonderful... and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am endlessly grateful.