Joy!

My heart is near-to-bursting today with the joy of getting to be mama to these five children, of the great privilege of being able to school them at home and of the wonder of each of their personalities and gifts.

The other night I said to Mark- for probably the hundredth time- "Can you even imagine having to miss this?" I know there are mothers who put their children in daycare and then preschool and then off to public school. Some do it because they must, some because they want to. I am just incredibly thankful that I don't have to. There are so many moments, throughout each day, that I marvel at and appreciate and delight in- in each of my children. From the littlest's new findings (so proud of herself for having learned to climb up onto the couch!) to the discoveries of the older children: it is such joy for me to witness. I can't imagine having to miss it.

So my heart is thankful today. And I just wanted to say so.

That isn't always the case. Often lately I feel overwhelmed by the many tasks before me each day, and I lose sight of the simple delights in this job.

But I am reminded today of how fleeting this time is-- Audra leaning against me on the couch, her bare toes flung into the air so that I will play "This Little Piggy" with her for the fifteenth time. Isaac, surrounded by LEGOS, using his God-given creativity and imagination and talking all the while as he builds, occasionally showing me his latest creation. Ella, as happy as can be, sitting on her bed with the afternoon sun pouring into her room, all curled up with a good book. She'll come out later and tell me about it and then will ask- again, if I've checked to see if the library has the next book in that series. Watching Isaias- so sweet with his little sisters, helping and loving them. Adelia, snuggled up earlier on my lap, wanting this book and then that one and then that other one and this one and more and more and more.

Oh, how I want this perspective every day: to treasure each and every moment and see such events not as interruptions, but as opportunities for joy handed to me by God.