Sweet Moments

I. Love. My. Kids. They bring so many smiles to my face every day.

Riley is currently in the questioning phase. Mom, I'm pretty sure I'm being paid back for the many years of endless questions I threw your way on a daily basis. :) Some of the most recent questions from the 2.5 year-old are: "Mama, why does the rain fall on the flowers?" and "How does the water come from there?" (referring to the kitchen faucet). But then tonight, the questions went to a whole new level. If you'll remember, in this post I talked about a song Daniel was practicing to sing in church. Riley has learned most of the song, and tonight after hearing it in the car, he came in and asked me, "What does it mean to be bound?" (part of the chorus says In him is freedom from oppression, every chain that binds) I said, "It's kind of like being stuck. Like if someone tied my hands together and I couldn't do anything. I would be stuck that way." He then said, "And what did Jesus do?" Wow! So I explained that Jesus died on the cross so we wouldn't be stuck anymore. He loves us so much he doesn't want us to be bound. He wants to free us. As I was thinking what an awesome teaching moment this was, my sweet boy then reminded me he is just 2.5 by saying, "But Mama, I want to be stuck!" :) And then he walked over and began playing with the dog.

And then there's precious Ella. She is trying SO HARD to talk! It is hilarious and adorable at the same time. She watches my mouth as I talk to her and then tries to mimic what I've done. I've tried several times to get it on video, but every time I pull the camera out she freezes up and just stares at the camera. Tonight I had one of the sweetest moments yet with her. I was putting her to bed, and after swaddling her (which she loves! A huge smile comes on her face every time I start to wrap her up), I sat down in the rocking chair to feed her and rock her some before she fell asleep. After finishing her bottle, she looked up at me and just started 'talking.' She continued this until she fell asleep. It brought tears to my eyes as I sat there looking at this miracle from above.

I'm realizing more and more since Ella's been born just how quickly these sweet moments are going to pass by. I am really working hard to seize not just the days I have with my kiddos, but the minutes throughout those days. Don't get me wrong. There are still times when my patience wears thin and I just want to run to a deserted island. But, it's usually after those times that the Lord gently reminds me how precious and priceless these days are. I am thankful not only for my children, but for a God who loves me enough to bless me in such an amazing way.