Days of Gratitude

I'm Grateful....

for 3 beautiful children.  Four years ago, I couldn't have imagined that they would actually be here...mine.  With all the craziness they have brought, I am truly and deeply grateful for the amazing opportunity it is to be at their sides all day every day and watch them grow and learn and change and become...

Last night we spent an hour or so looking at old pictures with the boys.  They loved seeing themselves when they were smaller.  I marveled at how much they have changed. Being with them every day, I sometime forget that they are growing up.

It is such a privilege to have been there for all of it...almost every minute of it.  I watch all three of them learn and explore every day.  I see every tiny little growth and change.  It is an absolutely amazing process to watch another person - a child of God - grow to reach their potential.

It is humbling and motivating that I've been trusted with these amazing children, trusted with their growth and development in every way.  When I actually think about what that means, I am deeply grateful, truly, deeply grateful for the trust my Heavenly Father has in me.  Sometimes, I feel so far from where I need to be, especially as a mother.  But then I remember that Heavenly Father has trusted me with these beautiful children.  He knows better than me what my abilities are.  He knows I can do this.  I am so very grateful for that knowledge...that confidence.

And then I look at Micah and Noah and Samantha and I see how good they are, how easily they love, and how much they want to learn and grow.  I can't help but think, I have really been given something good, and I love my life.  There is absolutely no better calling than mother, no day better spent than one teaching and loving and cuddling and playing with my children.  I see so much of God in them, it makes it impossible not to believe in Him.  It is impossible not to want to strive harder to be diligent and good.  I struggle so much of the time to do what I know is right.  I think God sent me these children so quickly b/c He knew I would need regular and beautiful reminders of just why I want to be better.

I am grateful for my children.