Things I'll miss...

Yesterday was a rough day, filled with pregnancy migraines, overtired children and a particular little monkey who initiated a yogurt food fight with her sisters. For the record - yogurt throws far and makes cool sound effects when it hits the wall.

It's my fault. There was one minute left in the auction - a catering company going out of business and there were some things we needed for our new church building so I set lunch up and did a final check. And the giggling began a mere 10 feet from my computer. Sigh.

Some days are long, full of cleaning up play dough and lego, wiping tears and walls, shaping hearts and cookies and sometimes just making sure we all make it until bedtime :)

But there are so many things I'll miss...

Jessie's impish grin, and her climbing on the counter to steal sweets, or sneaking into the pantry to feed the dog and wash the windows.

Emma's whispering every night, "I love you" and Sammi's wet kisses, "because it isn't real unless it's wet" (?!?!?). Their creativeness in making foxholes and thinking of baby names, and trying to figure out what pets would be the best. Jessie's hysterical giggles as she sneaks into Samantha or Emma's bed to hide, hoping to not be caught.

Sammi's comment on the doctor, "meh, he talks too much. I just wanted to read my book" and the question in the van on the way home today, "How do mommy foxes have babies?" It turns out after my rather lengthy explanation that they just wanted to know if baby foxes were born from eggs or their mommies bellies, which led to a discussion of mammals and birds and God's magnificent creation.

What a privilege it is to get to spend every day with them, even on the long days. And then there are days that I need to remember that even if we have kraft dinner for dinner, and the elders see a dirty house, and there are tears on all sides, even these can be good days. We're studying Jacob and Leah and Rachel in bible study this week, and I'm reminded that even in those rough days, God is still shaping them and still shaping me. That God is present for me, and for my kids. These are not forgotten days or wasted days, but days shaping us for eternity, and I'm thankful for them. And for my kids!

Cuddles

These two who normally go on either side of me during church had a rare service where they got to sit side-by-side. This was going well, until they started to give each other hugs, whispering, "I love you" into each others ears.

"Girls, no more cuddling in church. You can cuddle all you want on the couch when we get home," I said sternly.

"But Mom," protested Emma, "Church is all about love!"

Monday morning during breakfast I commented to Emma that it looked like she had a runny nose. "But I'm only a little sick, Mom. About as much as a tiny baby butterfly all wrapped up in it's raccoon." "Cocoon you mean?" "That's what I said!"

And Jessie getting in on the action. Cheese!

This morning we had a Dr. appointment for Samantha and Emma's 4 year old well-child visit. This was the first visit for the girls to a new doctor, a doctor who didn't attend church with them. Emma was chatty, and Sammi was fairly quiet until this question came up.

"Do you guys have a TV?"

Insert excited chatter for 5 minutes about the tv we got several weeks ago.

Me "It's not plugged in."

The doctor laughed. "We do watch some netflix, though." I confessed. And then the girls promptly went on about how I forgot to brush Jessie's teeth Sunday morning before church. Proud parenting at it's best :)

Seriously, though. So thankful for another good visit, and a well-child report. And for chatty kids who quickly connected with this kindly man who looked in their eyes and addressed their fears. I think we found our primary physician, and this is another thanksgiving that makes our transition to Maryland easier.