To Be A Better Mom...

A popular topic of conversation among myself and my friends whom are usually also mothers is the subject of parenting. Parenting includes a plethora of subject matter, from discipline to play time activities, to sleeping habits, to forming their character, and the list goes on. One thing I did not expect as a new mother was the vast array of opinions on parenting methods. Everyone seemed to have a certain way of doing things and many believed it was the only way of doing things. Or at least that was my impression as a new mom. I've since learned most moms don't actually feel this way and many struggle, like myself, with feeling like they are not a good enough parent and that the job seems at times to be impossible.

I have a lot of growth to do in order to become a better mom. I am not perfect and I have identified many areas in my own parenting style which need special attention in order to become the mom I want and hope to one day be. I've learned there really is no magic formula in parenting because every parent is unique and every child is unique. However, I have found one key in helping me to become a better mom and that helps develop better children. 

To be a better mom we must be the person we want our children to be. Do I want my kids to be more patient? Then I must be more patient. Do I want them to be better listeners? Then I must listen to them and give them my full attention. Do I want them to be less whiny? Then I must whine less and glorify God more in my words and actions. Do I want them to love others and serve in their community? Then so must I. 

Our children are going to learn the most from watching us. They will respond to life's challenges like we respond. They will interact like we interact. They will love like we love. They will also argue like we argue, whine like we whine, judge like we judge, hate like we hate. We are not perfect, nor are they. As much as they need our discipline, we must discipline ourselves to become more Christ-like as well. We must deny ourselves and become truly selfless in the giving of ourselves to God and others. Lastly, we must draw ever closer to Our Lord, for only by the strength and grace He provides can we hope to be the moms, and people, He asks us to be.

Giving Thanks

The past few weeks I have been feeling "in the thick of it" motherhood wise. It's beautiful, messy, wonderful, tiring, and rewarding. So many times throughout my day I just pause and soak in the moments. I'm in awe of the beauty of life. I'm thankful. These are good reminders when I know that so much of the world is in terrible suffering. I can't help but be weighted down by the intensity of trial and persecution for millions around the world. My sufferings are so very tiny and minute in comparison, but I must not forget that any suffering we can unite with Christs' and offer for the needs of others is a good thing and God can use it abundantly. Prayer is indeed a powerful weapon and God can do mighty things even with the smallest of faith. Lord, may your strength, grace, and courage be with those suffering everywhere in the world, whether it be great or small suffering, and may they remain steadfast in you. Amen.

While certainly my days leave me exhausted before even the afternoon hour lately, I feel oh so thankful for the gifts God has so generously lavished on me. While my heart is heavy for the sake of others, I don't want to forget to thank God and see His goodness all around me.

"From the rising of the sun to it's setting, let the name of the Lord be praised!"

-Psalm 113:3-

Jason is selfless in the mornings and wakes up with the kids most days while Vianney and I get to wake up slowly and a little later than everyone else. Once Vianney wakes up and gives me some of the biggest, sweetest, melt-your-heart smiles, she will then promptly turn herself to the door hoping to see one of her sisters coming in to greet her in the morning. She loves seeing them, playing with them, and watching them! They provide a CONSTANT stream of entertainment and interaction. It's so fun to watch!

Her gorgeous smile which accompanies a happy squeal.

Being silly.

Vianney is our earliest crawler. She began around 4.5 months and now, at almost 6 months, is scooting around like a pro. She isn't crawling on all fours very well yet, but tries everyday. She can sit up on her own now, too. She is also an early teether, popping her first two bottom teeth at 3.5 months. I expect more to come in anytime now if she continues like her sisters. I can tell she's almost ready for solid foods as she licks her lips and mimicks chewing while watching us eat during meal times. She does NOT like being left alone at all. If I just walk into the other room for a few moments she is usually well aware and begins crying until I come back. Usually I can only get away with leaving the room if the other girls are in the room with her. She loves company and interacting with others and has since she was an infant. When she cries, she makes a perfect "rolling r" sound with her tongue. It is hilarious and adorable. I need to get it on video soon.

Teá and Vivi playing together.

 

Playing that they were at sea.

I love it when babes find their toes.

 

Amaryn is beginning to potty train. I know I need to just drop everything and focus on training her while she's showing signs of interest but I haven't done it yet. With Thanksgiving next week I am going to wait at least until after that, and possibly until after Christmas. I just need to mentally prepare myself for doing extra loads of laundry and of course prepare to keep the carpet cleaner nice and close. Hopefully it won't be too painful of a transition since she has gone quite a bit on the potty already and seems to want to use the toilet more than her diaper. Jason and I are also really enjoying Amaryn's newfound use of language. She communicates in almost full sentences now! The past 6 months her vocabulary and language development have just skyrocketed and it's so fun to watch and always nice to be able to communicate easier with her. She says the sweetest things in the sweetest little, innocent voice. She is very good at thanking me without be prompted. "Tank you, momma."

Amaryn swinging at the park.

Trying out the big girl swing. It was all fun until I accidentally pushed her off. Oops, sorry Amaryn!

Somehow (ahem, I know how) Vivi always ends up in a box or basket.

More fun at the park.

She's such a sweetie!

Teá continues to be her joyful, overall helpful self. It's hard to believe she will be 5 so soon. About a month ago she lost her two bottom teeth and her permentant teeth are already coming in. It was quite exciting for her. We took the opportunity to learn about St. Apollonia, the patron saint of teeth, and she received some special treats in an envelope we made with a St. Apollonia picture drawn on it. My favorite time of the day with her is while the others are napping in the afternoon and we get to have one on one time together. Usually we work on her schoolwork, sometimes we will play a game like Memory or Chutes and Ladders. Lately, we've gotten in the habit once again of reading chapter books. It's always amazed me that Teá likes to sit still and listen to books with very few to no pictures accompanying it. She loves it and so do I. Right now we are reading "The Adventures of Red Rowdy" by Sandra Grant. The homeschooling curricula we use offers this book for free online. I also enjoy her help as we get dinner ready during nap times. She is the most enthusiastic helper for dinner and as she gets older I look forward to entrusting her with harder tasks for dinner prep simply because I know she will enjoy it so.

 Pretend sleeping.

Lost two teeth!

Sliding.

Occasionally, Amaryn will also help out in the kitchen with meal prep or dishes. Kids enjoy helping and I can't stress enough the importance of letting them. Yes, it means things won't be cut evenly, there will be more of a mess to clean up, dishes won't be perfectly organized in the dishwasher, etc. BUT eventually they will get better at it and become more independent plus it makes great memories. Just pray for patience!

Bedtime stories read by only the best.

The evenings are often filled with either Jason or I reading books to the girls or Jason rough-housing with them on the floor. Once they go to bed, Jason and I are grateful for some quiet and rest. We usually fill each other in on the day's happenings, watch some news, and lately we've both been so exhausted we will just watch a movie together (hello, Hallmark Christmas movies!). Even in our fatigue, it is so nice to sit in Jason's presence and enjoy the quiet together.

I know from first hand experience how easy it is to get caught up in the disasters happening all over the world, and indeed we should allow ourselves to feel. There is good in recognizing the need to pray and look towards Heaven and contemplate life and death and our hope found in Jesus. We shouldn't, however, get so caught up in these happenings that we feel paralyzing fear or that we forget to recognize God's abundant blessings. Whether you find His blessings in the face of your children, in the smile of a stranger, in the beauty of the sunset, or simply in His peace and love, it is only right and just to give Him thanks and praise Him.

Help on our Journey

I looked longingly out the window at the road. It seemed to call my name. How long had it been since my running shoes had met the black surface and taken me wherever my heart longed? I missed the rhythmic pounding of my steps as I jogged down a winding, scenic road; I missed being lost in my thoughts and lost in an endless prayer for those that came to my mind; I missed listening to the music playing through my headphones, connecting me to a plethora of runs listening to the same songs in years past. 

I just missed running. 

It always seemed to help release the tensions of the day, focusing my mind back on The Lord and on what really matters. Yet here I was, yearning for the road in my mind, though my body had other concerns. Another wave of nausea swept over me, and thoughts of running quickly sunk to the bottom of the sea. I placed my hands on my belly. The sacrifices of motherhood were apparent long before I could hold that sweet baby in my arms. Running would have to wait.

During those months of waiting, I decided to focus my mind on accomplishing a goal, a reward of sorts for the lost time of running. Once this season had passed, I would run a half marathon. I signed myself up for the race six months after my due date. It would be Fall, and the thought of running through the beautiful New England landscape helped me persevere through the months of longing.

Fast forward a few months and I found that training with a newborn and a postpartum body were more difficult than originally imagined, but one thought back to those dreary months of sickness and not being able to get out and run quickly dismissed the moments of temporary pain and fatigue. I trained as best I could and while I wasn't truly ready come race day, I was determined to at least try.

On the day of the half marathon, I was giddy with excitement and anticipation. My legs were eager to start running and my mind was already in the zone. I just had to wait for the horn to blow. As I stood among the crowds of fellow runners, I was thankful I wasn't running this race alone. Everyone around me was so nice and, without thinking much about it, we all encouraged one another to do our best, walk if we had to, and just enjoy the run. The horn finally blew and off we went.

There were two groups of people surrounding me that day: Those running alongside me, and those on the side cheering us along the thirteen mile stretch. Both groups of people were so instrumental in helping me accomplish that goal. I especially remember the group of people on the sidelines and how encouraging they were. They would shout and cheer us on, tell us how well we were doing, hold signs with motivating words on them, play live, upbeat music, and so on. It was an unexpected, completely welcomed perk of my run that day.

I also distinctly remember the parallels of running that race and the race we run as Christians, our lifelong journey here on earth, with hopes of Heaven at the finish line. Thus far on my Christian journey, the only group of people I recognized were those running the race with me. Fellow Christians that were running the same race, with the same goal. We would pray for each other and encourage one another; it was great! Not until I became a Catholic, however, did I realize the other group of people: the saints in Heaven. They've run the race, completed it faithfully and with joy. They left us great testimonies of wisdom, perseverance, and hope to help us in our daily walk and continue to lend their aid through their prayers.  

How wonderful that we can find so much encouragement, strength, and wisdom from the saints! Many times since becoming Catholic, I've been inspired by the lives and words of these people who courageously fought the good fight. Their love for Jesus and His Church is evident and it shaped their lives and sometimes even brought about their deaths. Regardless of the circumstances, they rejoiced! We have much to learn from them and it can inspire us to run our race with similar zeal. Just as I was able to look to the sidelines during the half-marathon and gain encouragement and focus in completing the task at hand, so too we can look upward at those in Heaven cheering us on and praying for us. 

"Death, but not sin!"

-St. Dominic Savio-

"O eternal Trinity, You are a deep sea in which the more I seek the more I find, and the more I find, the more I seek to know You."

-St. Catherine of Siena- 

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."

-St. John Paul II-

"Do not forget that holiness consists not in extraordinary actions, but in performing your duties to God, yourself, and others well."
-St. Maximilian Kolbe- 

Similarly, I have learned a lot since those days I looked longingly out the window yearning to run. During those times where we aren't able to fill our longings, we can look to the saints and realize that life is about SO MUCH MORE than fulfilling our own interests. Carrying babies and being a mom has left my running shoes quite lonely these past five years, but it's a wonderful and even small sacrifice.  

"Yes, all is well when we seek only the will of Jesus!"

-St. Therese-

"Teach us to give and not count the cost."
-St. Ignatius-

"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.”
-St. Thomas Aquinas-

"Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself."
"You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God."
-St. John Vianney- 

All the Saints in Heaven, pray for us!

Complete Abandon

This coming Easter I will celebrate two wonderful years since becoming a Catholic. My sponsor/godmother/dear friend told me that she would like to pay my way for me to go on a Catholic woman's retreat as a gift. The next retreat was the following September and was the exact weekend of my due date with Amaryn. It wasn't yet meant to be. Of course, the two scheduled retreats after that weren't meant to be either because of nursing and babyhood. These retreats are four days and three nights long, so not exactly mommy-to-a-nursing-baby friendly. 

I realized a couple of months ago that the upcoming retreat in March may actually work out for me to attend. It's not on my due date for starters (I'll be about 7 months along), I'm not nursing a baby and both girls can go without me for a few days, plus it's during Jason's Spring Break which is perfect. I know that very soon I'll have a newborn yet again and a retreat just won't be a possibility for a while. It just may be perfect timing. But isn't God's timing ALWAYS perfect?! Of course it is.

So...I've been eagerly awaiting this retreat for two years and finally I'm able to go and I'm anticipating it's arrival in three short weeks. Then the letter came. A supposedly innocent letter containing innocent information about the upcoming retreat. What to expect, where to park, where to meet-up the first night, what to bring, and what not to bring. And that's where it all came crashing down. It read:

"You will be on God's time for the weekend away from the outside world for a change, so we ask you to leave your cell phones, alarm clocks, computers, tablets, iPads, iPods, beepers, radios, etc. at home-even your watches!"

Leave my cell phone?! Wait, seriously? But what if there's an emergency? Oh, there's an emergency contact. But still. I need to check in with Jason. It's for 3 long nights...what about calling my kids and telling them goodnight? I've never been away from them for that long. That's an unfair and unreasonable request. I can't believe they would ask such a thing! It's hard enough to get away for 3 whole nights but that's not enough, now I need to leave behind all forms of communication as well?! I don't like this. This is crazy!! 

Yeah. So, that's been festering in my mind for the past week. This week I've found that I'm not so excited to go on the retreat. I'm actually quite unexcited about it. I'm apprehensive and uncertain, even untrusting all of the sudden. I feel defensive, angry, and resentful. My attitude and mood has done a 180* flip in regards to the retreat. 

So today I finally decided to pay some attention to these festering feelings. First off, my feelings in response to this letter weren't exactly godly. Clue number one that maybe I'm in the wrong here. As I took some time to pray, reflect, and write in my journal, the Holy Spirit began filling my mind with Truth from the Bible. The Gospels alone are filled with Jesus' calling men to give up everything and follow Him. This is of course true in His calling of the disciples. Jesus also tells a man to sell all he has and follow Him. He tells another who wants to first go and bury his father to let the dead bury themselves and follow Him. He tells us to pick up our crosses and follow Him. It's a common theme in the passages of the New Testament and it continues into our lives as Christians today. (See Matthew 4:18-20; Luke 5:11 27-28; Mark 1:19-20; Luke 18:22-23; Luke 9:59-60.)

I have now come to the realization that maybe this is about much more than being asked to leave my cell phone behind or not talk to my family during the retreat. After all, isn't that what a retreat is? To retreat. To leave behind, to move back, to withdraw, a quiet and secluded place to rest and relax. 

Our society is so very connected to everything. Not only have we learned to be near our devices constantly or nearly constantly, we are expected to. I think that God is always calling us to be less connected to the world and more connected to Him. Practicing detachment is HARD. In the Fall I felt God's soft and gentle call to detach from Facebook and Instagram. It was hard and at times still is. It may not be forever and I may prayerfully decide to connect with friends and family through those means again someday, but it has been a wonderful separation in many ways. It's freeing to not know what everyone is thinking, feeling, and doing. It's edifying to not be comparing my life with the lives of others so easily by putting the lives of others before my eyes so often of the time. It's rejuvenating to not have something I feel drawn to check constantly throughout the day. It's nice being private and just living my life not for anyone but God, my family, and myself. Now maybe God is bringing this detachment thing a little further. I didn't think it would be hard for me to give up my phone...but then again it is for 3 whole nights. So maybe I'm learning that's where I'm inclined to draw the line. But I don't want to ever draw the line with God. I don't want to hold back with God or be willing to only give up things for Him conditionally. WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IN COMPLETE ABANDON FOR CHRIST! A dear and wise priest I know often says this. Complete Abandonment. We go ALL IN. We JUMP SHIP. We LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND. 

I don't want to be one that says "Amen!" in agreement to these things and then when God says "Great, glad to hear it because...

~I want you to quit your job for another of lesser pay

~I want you to stop using contraception and be an advocate of life

~I am allowing you/a loved one to suffer illness and pain

~I want you to stop watching those movies/TV shows that mock and ridicule My Truth

~I am giving you a special needs child
~I am not giving you children
~I want you to leave your cell phone behind for a few days 
and to do so and accept these things obediently and joyfully for My names sake."

I completely realize the last one there is pretty pathetic in comparison to the other examples...but you get the point. This is a good question to ask ourselves and even our Lord: Where am I tempted to draw the line and back away, becoming resentful and angry that I would be asked to do such a thing/carry such a burden? 

So I'm asked to detach from my phone for a few days. That will most likely be a very good thing. Distraction is a key tool of Satan's to deter us from The Lords calling. It can often be very successful, but we have the choice to not let it be. Turning off our devices and retreating to God, even in our homes for a few minutes, is sure to be a good thing. Every time I do so God is faithful in meeting with me (James 4:8).

In reality, all this upset almost had me forgetting what a gift and blessing this retreat truly is. It's not often that I'll be able to do this kind of retreat, especially with the demands and responsibilities that come with raising young children. And that's OK, but when God does give me the opportunity, I want to be fully present and receive the gift joyfully and open to whatever God speaks to me while there. I think because it is such a rare occurrence and opportunity during this stage in life is even more reason to truly enjoy it. What a gift that my husband has the week off and can take full command on the home front! That he's even willing to use his time off in that way is a huge gift (AND during March Madness! I mean, seriously, he's SO selfless!). What a gift...normally a few minutes of peace and quiet is a rarity with young children running around (though their "noise" is beautiful in it's own way), but here I am getting an opportunity for DAYS of peace and quiet and time with my first love. Recently Jason and I were blessed with a getaway weekend while his parents watched the girls. We had 2 nights together away and it was SO rejuvenating and refreshing for our marriage! We do try and make time for date nights pretty often which is super important but it is different when you get an extended period of time without distraction to focus on one another and on God together. If that's so important for our marriage, how much more so with our relationship with God?! Again, such a huge gift! It's pretty silly that I could have missed out on that gift with something as petty as being asked to leave my phone home. It's actually quite refreshing that these woman care so much about my time with The Lord that they would go to such lengths to guard it. It is a sacred and holy thing when we spend time seeking God and Him seeking us. It should be guarded at all costs. We should give ourselves in complete abandonment for Him and His Truth. Go all in. Jump Ship. Leave it all behind to follow Jesus. 

Snowy Day!

Amaryn enjoyed it, I promise.

Today we had a snowy day and both girls enjoyed playing out in the snow. Jason brought out the snow sled and pulled them around which was a blast.

 

 

Amaryn being pulled in the sled. 

 

 Teá being pulled in the sled

I personally don't enjoy the snow all that much. I love watching the girls play in it though, preferably from the window. :) I'm thankful for a husband that enjoys going out with them and getting wet and cold!

*The quality of the videos didn't turn out that great. It's my first attempt at uploading videos. Hopefully I can figure out how to upload a better quality soon!

Snapshots from the Week

Our plans for the backyard include moving this rock wall and leveling the ground so that there is more flow between the garden and rest of the yard. It's going to be a BIG, HEAVY project, but Jason's looking forward to the workout. Plus, he has a cute little helper.

I love Teá's little wheel barrel. She picked up the teeny tiny rocks and Jason took care of the rest.

Transferring the rocks to the other side of the play set. Teá carried her load in the wheel barrel.

Quick pose for Mama.

Amaryn is a dedicated Patriots football fan, as long as it includes popcorn.

No caption necessary.

Repeat.

And we wonder where she gets that adorable little belly.

Sister pose.

Learning in the Home

During our evening discussion last night, Jason and I got to talking about college days and classes. I'm a school nerd, I loved the classroom, studying, and learning. I often think about school and dream of going back and getting another degree or taking more classes, but then reality reminds me of my present state in life. The thing is, it sure sounds like fun, but thankfully I can reason that it wouldn't really be that great. I'm not my 20 year old self anymore. I have different responsibilities. I don't have hours of extra time for study and homework and classes and labs. I'd be juggling a lot. Even if I could make the time, I wouldn't want to. I want to be home with my kids as much as possible, because it really does go by so fast. They are little for only a very short time. I want to see them grow and be there for every waking minute guiding and watching them grow. I don't think I'll look back at my life and think, "I wish I hadn't stayed home during those years with my children." 

Thankfully, the classroom environment I love so much has become a part of my everyday. With a discovering and curious preschooler and a toddler following quickly behind, I'm always learning with them and getting the awesome opportunity to pass along what I've already learned. How great is that?!

Teá and I have been dipping our toes in the homeschooling waters this year for preschool. So far I'm loving it and so is she! What I love most is that the curriculum we chose has a different emphasis (at least for pre-k and kindergarten) than learning letters, phonics, counting, and numbers. The emphasis is on the formation of their character and a spiritual foundation. Each month I review how she's been doing in the subjects and included in the review are questions about her character, her obedience, her cheerfulness when completing tasks, etc. The homeschooling curriculum is more than just a curriculum to help her learn core subjects, but it aligns itself with my goals as a parent with the true subject of life being Jesus and who we are in Him and how we should therefore live. Knowing Him, knowing ourselves through Him, honoring and obeying Him, and ultimately being in Heaven with Him. I'm all for homeschooling, or any schooling, if that's the emphasis and end goal! Give me numbers and letters sure, but give me Jesus too. 

So today in religion Teá made a creation booklet. She learned that God made the world and everything in it. We cut up an apple and looked at the seeds. We need seeds to grow an apple tree, but God didn't need anything, He created it from nothing. He also created the seeds in the apple so we could be participants in adding to and continuing His good creation. Teá totally got it because she helped us plant a garden last summer and remembered very well planting the seeds, watering them, weeding, and eventually seeing the plants grow and produce food. SO MANY SPIRITUAL PARALLELS!! I can't wait for our discussions during gardening this coming summer!

Teá also practiced writing letters and surprised me with writing her name, along with DAD and PAPA! Go Teá! I asked her to try writing MOM, but it needs a bit of work, looks more like WOW, but she'll get there soon enough. :)

 

We're all so proud of you, Teá! Lots of hard work practicing writing and I love your excitement as you see it pay off!

 Teá is also growing in her culinary and domestic skills. She continues to love helping out in the kitchen, often cutting, stirring, measuring, and pouring. She recently learned to fold, so obviously I'm harnessing that enthusiasm for as long as I can. 

She lays it out as flat as she can get it first. Notice Rosie, her stuffed pig, perched nearby.

Then, she folds it a couple of times and ta-da! Done! Thanks to Teá, Rosie is learning the ins and outs of folding as well.

She's so careful to do it just right. Rosie continues observing.

Maybe it's just me, but I think she's pretty darn adorable and I can't imagine a better little helper. Teá especially seems very nurturing and motherly. She's mentioned helping me with the new baby's diapers once she's born...dare I get excited yet but, sure thing, Teá!! Blessings upon blessings haha! 

I'll cherish these moments that make up the days always. I never fathomed that I'd learn so much outside the classroom and in the home. As I teach my kids, I am learning with them. As I think about their growth in character and holiness, I think of my own. I love that God uses every little and big opportunity to stretch and grow us closer to Him. I'm thankful and absolutely LOVE that my kids are vessels that God uses to help ME grow! So often I think I'm teaching them, but its just as true the other way around that they are teaching me!!

Family Fun in the Freezing Cold.

It warmed up to a whopping 23* outside this morning so we all bundled up and ventured outside. Teá practiced riding her new tricycle, we ran and made footprints in the snow all around our yard, the girls rode in their little plastic car, and we found a small sheet of ice that we used as a mini ice rink under the apple tree that everyone (not including my pregnant self) practiced "skating" on. I really cannot wait for warmer days, but still very grateful for a little fresh air and family time outside the confines of our home.

Both girls kept slipping on the ice. Poor Amaryn didn't quite understand, she kept walking off the ice, and then running on as fast as she could only to wipe out almost immediately. Miraculously, Jason had a few close calls but never actually fell down.

Amaryn kept revisiting these stairs of death. Sheets of ice on each step!

New England continues to reveal new sightings to me. I've never seen ice coming out of the gutters like flowing water frozen mid stream before. Reminds me of a small waterfall I saw the other day, frozen just like this. It was beautiful.

Jason and Teá have a double date tonight with cousins and are going to see Disney Princesses on ice. So the sheet of ice turned ice rink in our yard was quite fitting and the perfect prelude to tonight's show. I'm sure they are going to have a great time. Part of our motivation in getting the girls outside and running around this morning was to hopefully ware Teá out enough to get her to nap this afternoon. We'll see how that goes, I'm pretty skeptical about that happening. It just never works out that way.

Off to make the crew lunch. Happy Friday!!

A Quiet Morning with Play Dough

It brings me unspeakable joy to see my children beginning to play together. Amaryn is 15 months old and getting to the age of being able to play and pretend with her big sis. To see them having fun is gift enough, but it is also a gift to see them putting into practice sharing, cooperation, communication, kindness, self-control and love. Even when their play ends in tears, frustration, selfishness, and the like, which it often does, it provides an opportunity for apologizing and forgiveness. I think family life in general provides ample opportunities for practicing the Christian life!

This morning their play involved play dough and the quietness of the morning. Both kids are rested and so their interactions are friendly and patient. No one else is awake (my parents are visiting from California, and Jason is on vacation from work), and so I was able to take a few moments to sit on the couch and simply watch them. I really do enjoy and appreciate the rustle and bustle of a house with children, but my appreciation for quiet has grown tremendously as well!

Watching them play together from under my heating blanket on the couch. :)

Teá and her play dough creation.