Really it began yesterday evening. We went to dinner as a family. Ate outside on the patio. Drank milkshakes. Laughed. Relaxed. Enjoyed the peace and calmness of just being together. Slept well for the first time in WEEKS.
And it continued today. We went to church. Ate lunch. Everyone took loooonnnng naps. We played. Wrestled. Made spinach dip for dinner. Sang songs. Read book. Enjoyed being together. Enjoyed playing together. Enjoyed relaxing at home with no worries, no stress, no deadlines...just enjoyed.
Such sweet family time tonight and today. Time together that we have so desperately NEEDED! Sabbath. Rest. Relaxation. Family.
I feel like we've been treading water for awhile. Barely keeping our head above water before another wave knocks us over. We've had sickness after sickness. Long nights. Little sleep. Fevers and runny noses. A BRUTAL round of the stomach bug. Lots of long road trips. Stress at school. Stress at home. Weariness and frustration. Tempers have flared. Tears have been shed.
In fact this whole year of having three under three has been harder than I ever imagined. Busier. More hectic. Physically demanding. Less sleep. More tears. More laundry. And man what a blur.
We need more days like today. Days to stop and breathe. Days to memorize their faces. Bury our heads in their sweet smells. Hear their belly laughs. Listen to their stories. Read books. Build towers. Play chase and tickle fights.
Today I laid with Tucker at nap time and rubbed his sweet little back. I was overcome with emotion. This sweet little boy is going to be THREE in two weeks. THREE! I laid their trying to remember the last time I rocked him. What he felt like in my arms as a baby. How my little baby has grown into a little boy. Full of life. Full of energy. Smart. Funny. Sweet. Handsome.
Then there's my girl. My spit-fire sassy girl. The one who keeps us on our toes. Who laughs with her whole body. Who loves to shop with Mommy but really loves her Daddy. She makes my life brighter. Better. Funnier. Harder. She is so much like her Mama is so many ways. Fierce. Independent. Sassy. Smart. I can't believe how much she's grown. How big she is. How much she's changed. She will forever be my smiley baby. My lovey. My sunshine.
And my baby. My sweet sweet Colson Luke. Is going to be ONE. In two short weeks. He's been in our lives for ONE whole year!!! At this time last year, we didn't even know he was COLSON! What a whirlwind of a year it's been. I think back about how fast it's gone and I'm just in awe. I want it so badly to slow down. Colson is already so independent that I rarely get to snuggle him. He wants down and moving. All the time. Slow down sweet boy.
Sabbath. Rest. Family. Love.
Oh how I love days like today. How much I needed today. I love love love these sweet babies. What a blessing they are to me and so many others. And God chose me to be their mama! Even on the longest days, in the hardest week, they are good. They are joy. They are love. They are innocent. Seven years of waiting. They are the most wonderful gifts I could ever receive. I love them oh so much.
Today...was a good day.
"Return to your rest, my should, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:7
