It seems my life revolves around one thing...the kids. I suppose that is true, and quite possibly how it's supposed to go. My husband and I brought them into this world, and it is our responsibility to see to it that they are raised to be self sufficient, capable, competent young adults. That's what our parents did for us. That's our duty to our own children.
I guess when I was a kid, I saw all sorts of possibilities for the future. The door was wide open, and I got to choose to do whatever my heart desired. My heart lead me to the Naval Academy. From there, my heart lead me down many paths, some good, some less than desirable. My head lead me through and enabled me to earn my BS in Political Science. I had dreams and aspirations, most of which have not been realized, and probably never will. And somehow, in all of that, I found the Lizard, and fell in love. Life certainly hasn't turned out the way I planned, and that's okay. I kind of like how it has turned out.
We've been through a lot together in our nearly 15 years of marriage. However, I wouldn't trade a moment of it for something different. Everything happens for a reason. I may not immediately know the reason, and I assume sometimes the reason will never come clearly to me...but everything does happen for a reason.
There's a quote by Erma Bombeck that I particularly enjoy. I've always thought she had a fresh, down to earth, realistic take on life, and this case is no different.
"Maybe all I could do was mother.... And yet, why did I feel so fulfilled when I bedded down three kids between clean sheets? What if raising and instilling values in three children and turning them into worthwhile human beings would be the most important contribution I ever made in my lifetime?" ~Erma Bombeck
I think that sums up today rather nicely. I mothered. I took the kids to VBS, then to swim lessons, then to karate. Little Dude is still under the weather, so he skipped karate and opted for some extra snuggle time. The three of us said our prayers snuggled together, holding each other for comfort and warmth. I rocked our youngest until he was nearly asleep, then gently tucked him between clean sheets, tucked a well loved Chip under his arm, and then kissed him good night. It doesn't get any better than that.
This time God has given me is so precious. I'm so thankful to be the guiding beacon in our children's lives. I'm so thankful to have a husband who is willing to stand up for what he believes in, and who provides for our family, come what may. I've been richly blessed with four healthy and happy children, and one loving and devoted husband. This is the wealth I have stored up. The love of our family is what will sustain me when nothing else can.
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A busy day.
Today was both a good day, and a rough day, all wrapped into one. The good:
While we do talk about how mommy feels, I rarely let down my guard until I'm alone. And then I feel terribly alone. It's usually late, after the kids are tucked securely into bed, and much too late for a phone call (my father was adamant that phone calls were not to be placed after 8pm. Period.). Thankfully, even in my most lonely hours, I feel the love and support of those around me. I feel the prayers holding me up. I know I have friends who would welcome a phone call, no matter what the hour. I know that I have only to ask, and nearly anything under the sun will be done for me. And I sincerely thank all of you who are there for me: spiritually, emotionally, physically, electronically...you mean the world to me. ♥
In other news...here's the quote of the day:
"That's ok, mommy. I put my kazoo in that pocket in my underwear."
- My morning walks...always refreshing and re-energizing
- Littlest two monkeys are enjoying VBS, and I'm enjoying a bit of time to get things done
- I got the chest freezer cleaned off...and can actually get to it and get things out
- Swim lessons are fabulous: Little Dude put all the pieces together today and really started swimming! Mighty Man has discovered he can swim completely across the pool...and back. I'm so proud!
- I made it to open workout at the karate dojo this morning...I do remember some of this stuff. Maybe there's hope for my test after all?
- As of this morning, I'm down 6 pounds of the nearly 15 that I gained just before The Lizard left. That feels pretty good!
- Our life is full, we're busy. LM and MB are off to camp, and MM & LD are busy, busy! VBS 9-12, swim lessons 2:30-3:10, other swim lessons 3:50-4:20, karate 4:30-5:30. And busy keeps us out of trouble, for the most part.
- Saying goodbye as The Lizard left the country. Cell phones with iffy coverage just don't let you say goodbye properly.
- The tears.
While we do talk about how mommy feels, I rarely let down my guard until I'm alone. And then I feel terribly alone. It's usually late, after the kids are tucked securely into bed, and much too late for a phone call (my father was adamant that phone calls were not to be placed after 8pm. Period.). Thankfully, even in my most lonely hours, I feel the love and support of those around me. I feel the prayers holding me up. I know I have friends who would welcome a phone call, no matter what the hour. I know that I have only to ask, and nearly anything under the sun will be done for me. And I sincerely thank all of you who are there for me: spiritually, emotionally, physically, electronically...you mean the world to me. ♥
In other news...here's the quote of the day:
"That's ok, mommy. I put my kazoo in that pocket in my underwear."
Monday, August 2, 2010
Excuses, excuses...
I feel obliged to tell you that I did not unexpectedly fall off the face of the earth. I just got a new phone, that's all. :o) Since I got my new phone last Tuesday, I haven't turned on my computer. Unfortunately, blogging isn't all that easy on a touch-pad keyboard...one letter painfully pecked out at a time just isn't my thing. So as a result of getting a new phone, my blogging suffered.
Such is life! So...what happened last week? I'm not sure I remember...stuff, mostly. I did go to karate, and bared my soul about self defense...or a certain willful lack thereof. And Little Miss had a birthday. And I missed the Lizard something fierce. We had swim lessons, and karate, I had my morning walks...in general, life has been running along fairly smoothly. I have a good solid routine. Dishes done every night, cooking done every night, laundry done according to plan with folding and putting away getting done the same day as wash...miracles do happen!
Sunday, Little Miss served at the early mass. After we got home, we (LM, Monkey Boy and I) packed for camp. The oldest two are at church camp all week. It's a little bizarre "only" having two kids to feed, mind, put to bed and otherwise wrangle. It's definitely a different dynamic here at home. And way fewer dishes.
Today, the littlest two monkeys started off with VBS from 9 until noon. Then we had lunch and packed up for a few errands and swim lessons. We dropped off some boogie boards for a friend, returned a pile of books to the library, did swim lessons, shopped at the exchange, shopped at the commissary, returned a pile of granite and marble tile samples, shopped at REI. Then came home, had grilled chicken for dinner and headed out for our Mission Trails hike. It was definitely a fun-filled day.
Unfortunately, the day ended on a sad note for me. The Lizard leaves the states tomorrow for an unknown amount of time. He should be back in a year, and we hope he'll be back for a visit sometime during that year. I've decided that an IA (Individual Augmentee) deployment is much harder than a regular deployment. A shipboard deployment, you leave (for example) on 6 December and return 6 June the next year. Six months to the day, nearly guaranteed. Takes an act of congress to change that. IA he just goes. No hard and fast day he'll leave, no written in stone day he'll return. Throw a dart at a calendar...that's as good a method as any to determine his return date.
So tomorrow, he leaves the states. He'll be in transit for a few days...and then...? Who knows. It's just a gaping expanse of blackness...the uncertainty, the unknown.
Such is life! So...what happened last week? I'm not sure I remember...stuff, mostly. I did go to karate, and bared my soul about self defense...or a certain willful lack thereof. And Little Miss had a birthday. And I missed the Lizard something fierce. We had swim lessons, and karate, I had my morning walks...in general, life has been running along fairly smoothly. I have a good solid routine. Dishes done every night, cooking done every night, laundry done according to plan with folding and putting away getting done the same day as wash...miracles do happen!
Sunday, Little Miss served at the early mass. After we got home, we (LM, Monkey Boy and I) packed for camp. The oldest two are at church camp all week. It's a little bizarre "only" having two kids to feed, mind, put to bed and otherwise wrangle. It's definitely a different dynamic here at home. And way fewer dishes.
Today, the littlest two monkeys started off with VBS from 9 until noon. Then we had lunch and packed up for a few errands and swim lessons. We dropped off some boogie boards for a friend, returned a pile of books to the library, did swim lessons, shopped at the exchange, shopped at the commissary, returned a pile of granite and marble tile samples, shopped at REI. Then came home, had grilled chicken for dinner and headed out for our Mission Trails hike. It was definitely a fun-filled day.
Unfortunately, the day ended on a sad note for me. The Lizard leaves the states tomorrow for an unknown amount of time. He should be back in a year, and we hope he'll be back for a visit sometime during that year. I've decided that an IA (Individual Augmentee) deployment is much harder than a regular deployment. A shipboard deployment, you leave (for example) on 6 December and return 6 June the next year. Six months to the day, nearly guaranteed. Takes an act of congress to change that. IA he just goes. No hard and fast day he'll leave, no written in stone day he'll return. Throw a dart at a calendar...that's as good a method as any to determine his return date.
So tomorrow, he leaves the states. He'll be in transit for a few days...and then...? Who knows. It's just a gaping expanse of blackness...the uncertainty, the unknown.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Getting ready
I've been trying to get things organized all week, but have been frustrated by unexpected events popping up. My brother dropped in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The fence mysteriously showed up a couple of weeks early on Tuesday. And since I'm the sponsor for a Cub Scout camping trip to Camp Pendleton this weekend, I've had to field numerous questions and help people figure out how to open, print, sign and return waivers.
All I want to do is get the garage cleaned out! I don't want to tell people what they should pack for camping. I don't want to plan their meals. I don't want to plan what toys they bring for their kids. Honestly, people! REALLY??? I have 4 kids of my own to figure out these things for. Act like a responsible adult, not like a poor little lamb, bleating and uncertain where to go or what to do! It's camping. You need to eat, sleep and play. Figure out what you need in order to do those three things, and go from there.
I've taken to telling people they should be sure to bring their tent, a sleeping bag and some clothes. Maybe if I'm sarcastic enough, they'll get the idea that I'm simply getting them on base, not volunteering to hold their hand and come pack for them. Sheesh. Anyway, I feel better now that I've aired that little vent. :o)
Today was the last day of this session of swim lessons for the kids. They've been at MCAS Miramar for the last two weeks. Little Miss moved up to Level 4, Monkey Boy will remain at Level 3, Mighty Man passed Level 2 and will join his brother in Level 3, and Little Dude is this close >< to passing Level 1. Yesterday the whole swimming thing clicked for him. He went from blowing bubbles and bobbing, to doing 10 yards of superman kicking followed by 10 yards of kicking with arms (front crawl). It was so cool to see him "get" it out of the blue! The only thing he hasn't mastered quite yet is floating on his back. He can do it, just not quite long enough.
Next week we'll move to the local high school for another 2 weeks of lessons. I'm hopeful that Little Dude will be a bona fide swimmer after that session! It's so nice to see them finally becoming the little fish The Lizard and I have always been. All in good time, though.
All I want to do is get the garage cleaned out! I don't want to tell people what they should pack for camping. I don't want to plan their meals. I don't want to plan what toys they bring for their kids. Honestly, people! REALLY??? I have 4 kids of my own to figure out these things for. Act like a responsible adult, not like a poor little lamb, bleating and uncertain where to go or what to do! It's camping. You need to eat, sleep and play. Figure out what you need in order to do those three things, and go from there.
I've taken to telling people they should be sure to bring their tent, a sleeping bag and some clothes. Maybe if I'm sarcastic enough, they'll get the idea that I'm simply getting them on base, not volunteering to hold their hand and come pack for them. Sheesh. Anyway, I feel better now that I've aired that little vent. :o)
Today was the last day of this session of swim lessons for the kids. They've been at MCAS Miramar for the last two weeks. Little Miss moved up to Level 4, Monkey Boy will remain at Level 3, Mighty Man passed Level 2 and will join his brother in Level 3, and Little Dude is this close >< to passing Level 1. Yesterday the whole swimming thing clicked for him. He went from blowing bubbles and bobbing, to doing 10 yards of superman kicking followed by 10 yards of kicking with arms (front crawl). It was so cool to see him "get" it out of the blue! The only thing he hasn't mastered quite yet is floating on his back. He can do it, just not quite long enough.
Next week we'll move to the local high school for another 2 weeks of lessons. I'm hopeful that Little Dude will be a bona fide swimmer after that session! It's so nice to see them finally becoming the little fish The Lizard and I have always been. All in good time, though.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The first day...
I decided today needed to be a day that was completely full. Not just busy, but really FULL. I think I succeeded. We started out the day by going to mass at 8:30, which was interesting and different.
It was interesting and different for two reasons. Reason number one: the church is being repainted, so we had mass in the Social Hall. This shouldn't normally be a problem. However, reason number two, today the early mass was packed. And when I say packed, I mean to say that there were no more than 2 seats together anywhere. I guess people were leery of the bona fide summer temperatures we've been having lately, so they all hauled out of bed early for the first mass to beat the heat...which meant the 5 of us had to figure out how to sit in 2 folding chairs. Fortunately, one lady was kind enough to move and let us have 3 chairs together, so with Little Dude happily hanging out in my lap, the other 3 could share 2 chairs.
I guess I should say that the kids are good, but not necessarily angels. I eventually had to send one child to fend for herself and sat between two boys with LD in my lap to prevent the inevitable poking and prodding siblings seem compelled to subject each other to. I'm thankful it was different and an adventure. It was a great way to start off our new year.
The next thing we did was take a 5 mile bike ride. We stopped at a playground about 2/3 of the way through and I let the kids play. We're so fortunate to have the Santee Lakes only two blocks away! Lunch was rather mundane, but afterwards, we played Mario Kart for a bit until it was time for a meeting.
Normally, I don't do a whole lot of "work" on Sunday's. It's my rest day. No laundry, no chores, no housework. I enjoy having one day a week where I don't feel obligated to do anything in particular. However, today's meeting was on a whole different scale...it was the camper meeting for the summer camp LM and MB will attend in 2 weeks. It was fun and the kids ate lots of cookies...I'm pretty sure one had enough to ruin his dinner, which helps explain his mysterious lack of evening appetite.
After our meeting, we headed over to the neighbor's house to cool off in the pool for the rest of the day. It was a good way to wind up a wonderful day. And if the kids don't sleep in tomorrow from all the activity today, I think I'll find another job. I'd like to see my hard work pay off some dividends!
It was interesting and different for two reasons. Reason number one: the church is being repainted, so we had mass in the Social Hall. This shouldn't normally be a problem. However, reason number two, today the early mass was packed. And when I say packed, I mean to say that there were no more than 2 seats together anywhere. I guess people were leery of the bona fide summer temperatures we've been having lately, so they all hauled out of bed early for the first mass to beat the heat...which meant the 5 of us had to figure out how to sit in 2 folding chairs. Fortunately, one lady was kind enough to move and let us have 3 chairs together, so with Little Dude happily hanging out in my lap, the other 3 could share 2 chairs.
I guess I should say that the kids are good, but not necessarily angels. I eventually had to send one child to fend for herself and sat between two boys with LD in my lap to prevent the inevitable poking and prodding siblings seem compelled to subject each other to. I'm thankful it was different and an adventure. It was a great way to start off our new year.
The next thing we did was take a 5 mile bike ride. We stopped at a playground about 2/3 of the way through and I let the kids play. We're so fortunate to have the Santee Lakes only two blocks away! Lunch was rather mundane, but afterwards, we played Mario Kart for a bit until it was time for a meeting.
Normally, I don't do a whole lot of "work" on Sunday's. It's my rest day. No laundry, no chores, no housework. I enjoy having one day a week where I don't feel obligated to do anything in particular. However, today's meeting was on a whole different scale...it was the camper meeting for the summer camp LM and MB will attend in 2 weeks. It was fun and the kids ate lots of cookies...I'm pretty sure one had enough to ruin his dinner, which helps explain his mysterious lack of evening appetite.
After our meeting, we headed over to the neighbor's house to cool off in the pool for the rest of the day. It was a good way to wind up a wonderful day. And if the kids don't sleep in tomorrow from all the activity today, I think I'll find another job. I'd like to see my hard work pay off some dividends!
And so the adventure begins...
This morning my loving husband flew to the east coast where he'll commence three weeks of training before heading overseas for a year. To say that last night and this morning were rough would be a tremendous understatement. I don't remember the last time I cried this hard and this long. I'm tired, but this is only the beginning.
The tough part about the next few weeks is his training regimen. It sounds reminiscent of Plebe Summer...no cell phone until after hours, long training days beginning between 4 and 5am and ending between 7 & 9pm, no weekends. It's the way to go with training, IF you're 18 with no family. It's miserable for a family who is used to being able to talk to him after working hours.
So we'll see. Maybe it won't be as bad as it has been made out to be. Maybe we'll be able to text and chat from time to time. Maybe I won't hear from him until his first day off. We just don't know.
Up next: the plan. What I'll do for the next few weeks at home, and then what I plan to do once I leave in mid August. But here's a hint: I'll be packing for both winter and summer!
The tough part about the next few weeks is his training regimen. It sounds reminiscent of Plebe Summer...no cell phone until after hours, long training days beginning between 4 and 5am and ending between 7 & 9pm, no weekends. It's the way to go with training, IF you're 18 with no family. It's miserable for a family who is used to being able to talk to him after working hours.
So we'll see. Maybe it won't be as bad as it has been made out to be. Maybe we'll be able to text and chat from time to time. Maybe I won't hear from him until his first day off. We just don't know.
Up next: the plan. What I'll do for the next few weeks at home, and then what I plan to do once I leave in mid August. But here's a hint: I'll be packing for both winter and summer!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What I learned today.
So Facebook has a bunch of little "things" to write on, talk about and generally reflect or be narcissistic. For the most part, I ignore them. Yes, it is interesting to read about people and the fascinating things in their lives, but I hate posting a big list of stuff about me. I'm just not that "into" me...I'd rather hear about other people. However, one that was floating around was a series of questions to ask your children. Now that I'll do. And I learned a lot today. Here's the interview. Each question has 4 answers arranged youngest to oldest: Little Dude, Mighty Man, Monkey Boy, Little Miss.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Don’t put your feet and fingers in your mouth, right mommy?
If you need help doing something, you can ask for help.
I love you.
Brush your hair.
2. What makes mom happy?
When I don’t put my feet and my fingers in my mouth.
If you clean up every single day.
Me doing my school work.
Spending time with me.
3. What makes mom sad?
Putting my fingers and my foots in my mouth. That makes you sad, mommy.
If you don’t clean up all the toys and all the magnatiles every single day.
Me not doing my school work.
When we don’t love you back.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Tickling me!
By tickling me!
By tickling me!
You tickle me!
5. What was your mom like as a child?
You were like toys.
I don’t know.
I still am a child. You? I don’t know what you were like as a child.
I have no idea!
6. How old is your mom?
Five? Are you five mommy? How old are you again? Are you firdy five?
I forgot. Sixteen?
Thirty five.
You’re thirty five, almost 36.
7. How tall is your mom?
You are so big mommy, but I am so ‘mall.
A little tall.
I don’t know. How tall are you?
64 ½ inches.
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Play Mater’s National?
Watch movies and play with magnatiles.
Playing Spider.
Spend time with us.
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Play work? I don’t know. What do you do mommy?
Uh…go wild!
How would I know? I don’t know what you do when I’m not around.
You relax!
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Playing Mario Karts.
I don’t know!
You would be famous for being the best mommy.
Probably for being the best mom in the world.
11. What is your mom really good at?
Working and doing school. And reading me books.
Helping me read and helping me build a bunch of ideas.
You’re really good at Mario Kart! You’re good at being fun and being nice.
You’re really good at helping me do my math.
12. What is your mom not very good at?
You are not very good at driving the car.
You’re not very good at chopping off sticks and cleaning the floor.
You’re not really that good at Mario Kart. But sometimes you can beat Mighty Man.
Playing Mario Karts.
13. What does your mom do for a job?
You do school.
You vacuum.
You do school with us.
You watch us.
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Cereal.
Whisper it to me, I don’t remember. Meat?
Cheesecake!
Ramen Noodle soup.
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Um. You don’t have gas.
That you give me hugs and kisses.
How nice you are.
You’re a really good mom.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
You would be a mommy!
You would be Tinker Bell, because I like her!
Bambi, because he’s cute.
You would be Kanga.
17. What do you and your mom do together?
We do school together. We do the reading a whole bunch together. Can I draw a maze on my big book?
We help doing things right.
We do school together and go on rides at
We snuggle.
18. How are you and your mom the same?
We’re boys! But you are a girl, mommy. And I am a boy and daddy is a boy. And Little Miss is a girl too and Mighty Man and Monkey Boy and daddy are boys.
Our feet are the same.
We both are in the same family.
Our hair is the same color.
19. How are you and your mom different?
You are a girl and I am a boy. (whew! I'm so glad he figured that out, lol!)
The sizes of our feet are different.
We are both different people.
We have different personalities.
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because I know. Because you are makin’ sandwiches and macaroni and cheese and hamburgers and cereal and milk!
Because I do good things and we have connected brains. That’s how I know.
Because you say you love me.
Because you do things for me.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Lovin’ each other. Like kisses.
That he helps you every single day.
You like how much he loves you.
You like that he’s a good dad.
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
You like to do to the zoo and go to
You like to go to the Birch Aquarium.
What I learned from interviewing our children: That I don’t have gas, I’m a terrible driver (who knew?), I'm nice but I suck at Mario Kart, I’m really good at “doing school,” my housekeeping skills are lacking, we have lots of tickle fights, I’m the best mom in the world and I’m married to one terrific husband. Oh, and I like to go to
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Just thinking about life
Today was such a good day. We got up, I showered, then made breakfast. After a quick check of email and chat with my extraordinary husband (who is currently in Japan), we headed out to church. While the oldest three went to children's liturgy, Little Dude and I snuggled in and listened to the mass. He was such a sweet little guy in church. He almost always sits still and quietly rearranges stickers or colors in his notebook. Today was one of those really good church days.
Of course, I believe it helped that when the older three came back, the youngest came to sit with me while the oldest two were two rows back with Jay and Darlene. And when the 4 year old tried to pick a fight with Little Dude (yeah, whose crayons were those, anyway?), Sister Mary politely leaned over the pew and said "I see you, young man." Wow. Wanna know how fast he started behaving? How is it that at his tender age, he already knows that Sister means business??
Anyway, after that, we went home and I made some peanut butter and honey sandwiches and we headed up the mountain to Lake Cuyamaca (coo-yuh-MAW-ka for you non SoCal folks) for another load of firewood for our church's Fall Festival. What an awesome day. First off, the weather is simply gorgeous right now. Low 70's, a breeze and bright sunshine. You just can't get any better than this, especially for an afternoon of invigorating manual labor. But enough of that, just trust me that it was a great day. (and Jay, thank you for dinner...I really appreciated that!)
But the best part of the day came this evening, when I was at my wits' end trying to get the kids down. The oldest had her shower, and the three youngest had their baths. We dried off, combed hair, got in jammies, brushed teeth and then snuggled in to watch Little People before saying prayers and climbing into bed. I was able to shoo the oldest three into bed without much effort. But Little Dude? Wanted nothing to do with his bed. At all. He was bargaining with me every which way to Wednesday. He wanted to be held. He wanted to be in bed. He wanted me in bed with him. He wanted water. No, chocolate milk. No just lay in bed with him. No, not in bed, over there. I finally left his room in frustration. There was no pleasing our little tyrant, and I had no patience for his incessant demands. So I walked out, brushed my teeth, fed the cat, fed the fish, got in my pajamas, only to turn around to see him standing silently behind me.
"Mommy, can I have just one hug?"
It hit me like a ton of bricks. Gone were all of my frustrations and impatience. Gone was my irritation and insistence that he just get in bed and stay in bed. He just wanted one hug. I scooped him up and he snuggled into my arms and mumbled something as he almost immediately drifted off to sleep. I sat down in the rocking chair and just held him, grateful he's alive to ask for "just one hug." I'm so very thankful that I have 4 beautiful children who are healthy and happy. Each one is a gift from heaven and each one is so very precious to me. I don't know why I deserve to have all the wonderful things in my life, and I cannot tell you how deeply touched I am to have them.
Of course, I believe it helped that when the older three came back, the youngest came to sit with me while the oldest two were two rows back with Jay and Darlene. And when the 4 year old tried to pick a fight with Little Dude (yeah, whose crayons were those, anyway?), Sister Mary politely leaned over the pew and said "I see you, young man." Wow. Wanna know how fast he started behaving? How is it that at his tender age, he already knows that Sister means business??
Anyway, after that, we went home and I made some peanut butter and honey sandwiches and we headed up the mountain to Lake Cuyamaca (coo-yuh-MAW-ka for you non SoCal folks) for another load of firewood for our church's Fall Festival. What an awesome day. First off, the weather is simply gorgeous right now. Low 70's, a breeze and bright sunshine. You just can't get any better than this, especially for an afternoon of invigorating manual labor. But enough of that, just trust me that it was a great day. (and Jay, thank you for dinner...I really appreciated that!)
But the best part of the day came this evening, when I was at my wits' end trying to get the kids down. The oldest had her shower, and the three youngest had their baths. We dried off, combed hair, got in jammies, brushed teeth and then snuggled in to watch Little People before saying prayers and climbing into bed. I was able to shoo the oldest three into bed without much effort. But Little Dude? Wanted nothing to do with his bed. At all. He was bargaining with me every which way to Wednesday. He wanted to be held. He wanted to be in bed. He wanted me in bed with him. He wanted water. No, chocolate milk. No just lay in bed with him. No, not in bed, over there. I finally left his room in frustration. There was no pleasing our little tyrant, and I had no patience for his incessant demands. So I walked out, brushed my teeth, fed the cat, fed the fish, got in my pajamas, only to turn around to see him standing silently behind me.
"Mommy, can I have just one hug?"
It hit me like a ton of bricks. Gone were all of my frustrations and impatience. Gone was my irritation and insistence that he just get in bed and stay in bed. He just wanted one hug. I scooped him up and he snuggled into my arms and mumbled something as he almost immediately drifted off to sleep. I sat down in the rocking chair and just held him, grateful he's alive to ask for "just one hug." I'm so very thankful that I have 4 beautiful children who are healthy and happy. Each one is a gift from heaven and each one is so very precious to me. I don't know why I deserve to have all the wonderful things in my life, and I cannot tell you how deeply touched I am to have them.
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