Mothers' Day

Last night I went to bed tired.  Exhausted, more like.  Last night my sleep was broken by 4 cries from Lucy's bed as she needed to be fed, a sleepy 3 year old with tummy complaints, and a 5 year old with a fever who needed some warm water to soothe his throat.  I woke up tired.  And yet there is nothing I would rather do than mother these three babies of mine.  What a privilege to be the one to nurse this hungry babe, reassure this sleepy 3 year old, pour medicine for this sick 5 year old.   What a privilege to be a source of comfort and tenderness for these souls entrusted to my care.  What a joy to be their mother.

This is an intense season of mothering.  I don't know.  Maybe every season is intense, but the needs change.  Right now there isn't very much time in a day when I'm not being asked to do something - change a diaper, get a snack, pour a drink, wipe a bottom, mend hurt feelings, read a book, kiss an owie, etc.  There aren't many moments when I'm not in direct physical contact with at least one child.  They are needy little creatures!  I get tired.  I get frustrated.  Sometimes I let my exhaustion show when a child asks for more than my heart is ready to give.  But these needy little creatures have such grace for their worn out momma.  And God reminds me of just how good these little gifts are.  These early years are so precious, and I LOVE this stage.  Love love love it.  And I love these kiddos more than I can say.

Tomorrow is Mothers' Day.  We're not going to church.  Isaiah's sick.  We're all tired.  We're staying home.  There will be a family devotional.  There will be Mothers' Day cards and a gift the kids chose from Bed Bath and Beyond.  There will be snuggles and kisses and my heart will be full of joy for the gift I have have every day of the year.  I get to be mommy to the three most amazing kiddos I know - Isaiah Ben, Noelle Avra, and Lucia Jane.