little things.

I love the phrase "It's just a phase."  I've used it so much in the last ten years of my life.  It seems that being a parent leaves you with this longing to see certain phases pass away, coupled with a deep desire to freeze time in the more endearing moments.  I longed to be a mom for so long- even as a young girl with baby dolls scattered around my room.  I didn't foresee a future of infertility, adoption, or twin babies.  And despite this undeserved gift of four children, I can still find myself longing for a retreat from it all on the hard days.

My days are no less than a marathon.  Beginning with two early risers that don't wake up slowly, but rather at full speed and into everything.  Not long after, our full army joins the fun and it's on!  Meals, laundry, discipline, schooling, cleaning, discipline, encouragement, entertaining, more meals, more discipline, and more, more, more!  

Despite the craziness of what looks like utter chaos to the outsider, I love this little life.  It may not seem like much to some, or maybe it's too much to others, but for me-  it's a perfect mess!  I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that I am constantly reminding myself to love this little life.  My days are filled with all the junk that we all face.  But I have a choice of where I place my focus.  The last thing I do each night is ask my boys, "What was the best thing that happened today?"  It's always fun to me to know what specific thing stuck out as memorable and meaningful.  It's rarely anything big.  Often times something I didn't even notice.  Which reminds me that someone was right when they said, "It's the little things in life!"  

So because I'm stubborn, I want to be more intentional about celebrating "my little things."  Those sweet little blessings that the Lord sprinkles throughout my day to remind me just how much he loves me.  To be thankful for the "good days" and the "hard days" and the "I'll die if I have to live through another one of these days"!  To say that "He has blessed us" would be the greatest understatement.  We are sinking in His grace, love, and mercy.  

So here's to all the little things in my life... an on-going list of the little things that add up to mean EVERYTHING to me each day. 

1.  The missing front tooth phase and forgetful tooth fairies that scrounge up extra change on the third day of forgetting.

2.  The trains that all three boys have played with.  And reminders that this one is no longer a baby.

3.  Family worship on our back porch.  A place where you can literally "come as you are."

4.  Fathers who are worthy of imitating.



5.  Celebrating a new teenager.  And his graciousness to be okay with the only candle we could find in our house!



6.  Little girls who are too big to hold hands but will compromise at holding on to your shirt.  Always on her terms!



7.  Friends who offer to watch your kids while you enjoy a lunch with your husband.  Friends like this are priceless jewels.



8.  Pigtails.



9.  Big brothers and bull rides on a summer night.



 10.  A chair that is big enough to hold them all.



11.  And one girl in a houseful of boys.