Sleeping babies

Sometimes I miss my kids when they're sleeping. I know, crazy, huh? But I do. I miss touching on them. I could-- and sometimes do--just rub on their little faces and hands until they're practically begging me to stop. I worry that they're growing up and I won't get to hold them on my lap when they're grown. There is nothing in this world better than a sleeping child to cuddle on. Nothing better than a warm little palm to kiss on, or the side of their temple where the hair turns to babysoft fuzz. Even on the absolute most chaotic of days, I have a hard time resisting picking them up and cuddling when I go in to check on them.

All 3 of my children sleep in the same room. We have 2 bedrooms and one bathroom in our 1950's ranch. It's a beautiful house to raise kids in. A nice flat yard, lots of light, hardwood floors & nothing too fancy for them to mess up. The only complaint I might have is the storage--there is none. I have decluttered and organized until I just can't anymore and that's frustrating for a crafty person. I can't leave well enough alone and I always like to try it another way. But when you've run out of space that's hard to do. It clutters up my creativity and makes me feel stressed. We've gotten too big for our little house. I'm hoping my kids don't get too big for me. Sometimes I ask them as we're cuddling: "please don't get too big too quick", and I get the cutest responses from them... "I promise I will only grow a little bit right now. Like this much" and she'll show me about 6 inches. Too funny.

Introducing...chaos!

See that handsome groom? He's smiling as *I* come down the isle. Me! He was that happy because of me! Anyways, he started it all. All the chaos that the last 12 years have been. But, boy oh boy, has it all been such terrifically sweet chaos. We met our Senior year in highschool. The one month anniversary was our Senior prom. First, there was the dating. He lived a half hour away from me--highway only. My parents (who were raised in "the valley" and met each other when they were about 5, and who still to this day live a block away from where they met way back then) were fit to be tied. Their only daughter, driving like that, 2 times a day & most of the weekend! Chaos! Then, there was the dating again, but even farther! Now my fella decided to go away to school--3.5 hours away. Then he proposed! Then, boom, we were pregnant for our first anniversary. Our first daughter was perfect, there was no chaos there. Then came number 2. She was perfect also. But two was a little harder... Then, surprise! Here comes our bouncing baby boy and wow, the chaos. We found out about him before #2 was even 10 months old, but didn't tell anyone for a while.

Our 3 babies have always been blessings to us. They are each perfect and flawless. I wouldn't trade them for the all the world. And right now they're sleeping. In about 7 hours, I'll begin to wonder if there are Indians in my neck of the woods that could be coerced into trading a teepee for a blonde haired child or two. Or three...

I try to keep in mind that each moment with my children is special and not to be taken for granted. I try to make their days beautiful and teach them about God's word. I know that this stage in our lives is flying by and I need to cherish each little hug and kiss. I realize all too soon I'll want this stage back, even if it doesn't seem like it when they're all 3 crying about something different. But I have a lap big enough, and hugs big enough and a Father who can settle me down and give me the strength to take care of my blessings. He is there with me and I can cherish the chaos, the sweet chaos that comes with being given these perfect blessings.