its the moments only we understand...

they wake up all nice and cuddly; rosy cheeks, with cute "good morning, Mommy!" voices. 

We enjoy cuddle time in bed, talking about our dreams we had in the night. 

Ethan's are becoming very interesting, the older he gets. 

Rachel's are always about a monster trying to get her, but Daddy saves her. 

Kara's always have Tinker Bell and Hello Kitty in them. 

Oh, and Curious George. 

moments later, they're "starving"- sure to die soon if food isn't made for them. 

Pancakes cure a starving body.

If you add chocolate chips, its miracle food. 

turkey bacon makes them strong. 

so do smoothies, apparently. 

especially if you add whipped cream. 

they laugh and giggle at the breakfast table,

with one {at least} of them often spilling their drink. 

I almost feel bad telling them to settle down, because it sounds like bliss. 

moments later.....

 the bliss turns to screams, shouts, sobs and blame. 

what felt like perfect loving order quickly turns into chaos. 

I feel more like a referee in these moments than a Mommy. 

Trying to solve something I didn't really see, trying to restore sibling love, 

trying to show them God's love - but often failing, because in chaos, Mommy 

often loses her head.

Stubbornness sets in, accusations are made, frowning faces confront me. 

This is where the real task of keeping a calm, wise spirit is necessary... 

and this is usually where I'm frantically asking God for these graces, 

over and over and over in my head. 

{I say it like a mantra as I walk to the scene of the crime.}

Just as I think we're not making any progress and I'm running out of helpful 

things to say to get to their little hearts and teach them what is important... 

 "I'm sorry's" are expressed, forgiveness is given and peace is again present. 

That scenario happens multiple times a day, just in different places and with 

different siblings. Its like they take turns, just to keep me on my feet. 

I think its funny how as moms with young kids, we often fool ourselves into thinking 

its only our kids that do these things. 

Kind of like how first time parents think every milestone is amazingly faster, better and 

far more perfect to their specific child. {at least we did.}

I love when I hang out with my friends and I start retelling a story like this and they 

all laugh, slap their leg and say "Yes! my kids do that all the time!" 

I love those types of ladies. The ones you really connect with, because you're all in 

the same time of life. You all understand exactly why a shower was never taken. 

why there is dried snot on your shoulder. 

why the Pediatrician's number is on the fridge. 

why the camera is always within arm's reach. 

why you can't find your bra and actually haven't seen it all day. 

why you have post-it-notes with verses and encouraging sayings posted on 

surfaces you come into contact with quite often. 

why the piles of clothes on your couch are starting to look like home decor, 

rather than a chore that's getting neglected. 

why you get all excited when you get to say something other than 

"No, no, listen to Mommy and do as I say, please." 

When you get super excited at hearing your actual name :-) 

when hearing something other than the word "why?" is thrilling to you. 

{you all know this list could go on and on and on.....}

I love being in this phase of life. This phase of new. 

Discovering life through their eyes every single day. 

I love that my time and energy is going into making them go from 

little people, to older, educated, independent, happy, healthy big people. 

Even though there are monotonous moments in each day and some days feel 

far too repetitive and stagnent... each day is a new blessing. 

Each moment is a new moment.

What's that line from Anne of Green Gables? 

"every day is a new day, with no mistakes in it."  

Is that how it goes? I'd hate to misquote Anne. 

Either way, you get the gist. 

I hope your day is beautiful today. 

Enjoy the moments, even the rough ones. 

Smile when you make it through another referee moment. 

Give hugs and kisses often. 

I wrote that more for me than I did for you. 

I need the fresh reminder every day ;-) 

God bless you, Mommies! 

and... Happy Valentines Day!!