Nice

Back in the day when I wrote on a blog....it was nice.  Nice to unpack my thoughts, nice to have a place to work out in words struggles and challenges of parenting I was facing.  Nice to document the growth and details of little growing boys.

Now....I have mostly forgotten about it.  Most days it feels like all creative juices--and words--are thoroughly used up by those three little boys I used to write about.  I am immersed in motherhood, in the refereeing, comforting, training, teaching, disciplining, loving days of raising our children.  The struggle of learning to be a mom has gone; in its place is the day-to-day growing, wrestling, and hands-on implementation of all that being Mom means. 

Mom means being available 24 hours each day to a little one who needs me.
Mom means breaking up fights...for the fifth time in two hours.
Mom means getting snacks for hungry tummies...lots of snacks.
Mom means mopping up spilled water, spilled cereal bowls, spilled oatmeal, etc etc.
Mom means getting up at 2 am to comfort a little boy having a nightmare.
Mom means reading the same book--again.
Mom means holding and hugging tight a child after discipline.
Mom means taking deep breaths when the chaos seems too much.
Mom means praying for our children to know Jesus and follow Him.
Mom means clasping a sweet little hand in mine.
Mom means overwhelming joy in the smiles and laughter of our children.
Mom means a tired body at the end of each day, but a thankful heart.

In being Mom, I see each day my inadequacies, and my complete need for dependence on Jesus for wisdom, love, patience, grace, kindness, joy, and strength.

He provides it all--all that I need for being Mom. And with it I experience God's complete, steadfast, faithful love for me as well.

Our little blondie!

fresh, homemade maple syrup!

a field trip to the Ecomuseum Zoo