Grateful

This can be a really challenging season of life.  While our needs are met, we are still living on a student budget, Chris is busy with school and his internship, and being a stay at home Mom requires more of me than I ever imagined it could.  My beautiful babies need all of me, all the time.  Some days they need even more than I think I have to give.  With all this going on you would think I'd be tempted to wish this season away, to want to hurry to the one with more affluence, less diapers and maybe a bit more sleep.  Instead I caught myself praying that God would make this season last a little while longer...

Thank you Lord for Ebenezer.  For joy wrapped in the package of a wiggly little boy, for love that shines so intensely from his eyes it makes you want to cry.  For a sweet voice and brown eyes that scoot right up beside you with a precious "hi" that translates to "I love you".  For car tracks on arms, milking cows in the living room, slobbery kisses and delighted squeals as I chase him with the popper.  For repeat reads of the same book so many times I have it memorized but can't say no when he asks for it 'again'.  Thank you for a tender heart that cries when his sister cries because he is concerned for her, that is easily disciplined and molded, that desires and soaks up love like a plant soaks up sunshine.  For a growing independence that my mind knows is good but my heart aches to see.  Thank you for an outstretched hand and the request to 'come' and share in whatever experience he is excited about.

Lord I have loved each new season that has come, and watching this little man's personality develop, but does it really have to go so fast?  Am I really going to have to give up the nap snuggles and playing tractors in a few short years?  Please Lord, let me cherish these fleeting moments and fully appreciate them for the blessings that they are.


Thank you Lord for Evelyn.  For her total dependence and contentment.  For little fingers wrapped around mine as she falls asleep.  For tiny toes, a downy head, sweet pouty lips and blue blue eyes that I never believed I'd see in one of my babies.  For how well she sleeps at night (though it can be scary!).  For how she knows and wants me in a group of people. For her sweet giggles and grins.  Thank you for the new dimensions she brings to the relationships in our family, for the love we get to see Ebenezer show her, for seeing Chris as the Daddy of a girl.

Please Lord give me endurance for this season of 2 under 2, and give me the insight and purpose to enjoy it to the fullest.