So Many Blessings

As I sit waiting for my two daughters to wake up, having just put my son down for his first nap, I smile and thank God for my life being the way it is. I see posts from my high school friends, and I realize all over again how good I really have it. One can't make bills, another is a single mother, a third has seen things that nobody should ever have to... the list goes on and on.

Every morning I get to wake up and spend one-on-one time with my son. It won't last, but for now, I roll out of bed to get up and feed him. As we sit there in the quiet morning, my mind drifts from thought to thought as my precious baby is curled up against me. He holds my hands and looks up trustingly as he nurses. If I look down and smile, I am rewarded with a big 2 1/2 tooth smile. He is my whole world, and I am his.

Throughout the day, all three children drive me crazy with their stunts. Climbing into the bassinet that needs to be tossed, but I can't because it was mine. Jumping from bed to bed, often hitting their legs off the ends of one toddler bed or the other. Once in a while fighting over something silly.

Then, all too quickly, another day has passed. It's time for bed. Who wants to say a prayer? You wouldn't believe the sweet things my children thank God for. A wonderful day. Mommy, Daddy, Sister, and Bub. Being happy. Being healthy. It's a reminder each day that I am blessed. Then kisses and hugs, tucked in to bed.

It never fails. A couple minutes later, a naked little two year old, who comes out of her room to say she's tired, but will not go to bed. She wants to cuddle. She wants kisses and hugs. She wants to be carried in like a princess at least a dozen times. A three year old that's hungry, even though she had a snack right before bed. She needs to eat, she needs to drink, she needs to potty again. Kisses and hugs, she wants to be carried like a princess and wrapped like a  burrito. They are what life is all about.

Finally, they fall asleep. Sadly, I look at how they've grown so quickly. Where have the days gone? The months? The years? Nothing lasts forever, but I wish this could last a little longer.

Then it's off to bed for me. Exhausted, I climb in next to the man that I still love with all of my heart and soul. A man that loves me back, and does his best to show it every day. A man that selflessly risks his life daily so that I can stay home with our babies. A man that will never leave us, will never be unfaithful, will never be untrue. He asks for so little. Only that we are happy.

When I look at the lives of my former classmates, I am thankful all over again. Thankful I didn't date who I prayed would notice me. Thankful I made the choices I did. Thankful that I am who I am, where I am, and how my life has turned out.