Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A short step in my shoes

I woke up the other morning with my husband by my side. Shortly after, the kids come leaping into our room with their fresh morning eyes, and bodies outstretched followed with yawns.
They say, with their sleepy morning voices, that they are hungry.
They are ready to start their day.
My husband insists that I stay in bed and get more sleep.
Next, I smell the fresh, sweet aroma of breakfast cooking.
I hear the giggling and the playing taking place in the kitchen below me as my husband flips pancakes and plays with the kids.
I get served breakfast in bed. The delicious food feels so good going down my stomach, feeding my little baby who so delicately grows inside of me.
I work on my book and hear more noises downstairs. This time from the living room. Each of the voices are filled with cheer and laughter. Bowling on the wii. I could imagine their smiles on their faces as I eagerly listen for more. I couldn't waste one more minute away from enjoying the blissful day with my family, so I close my laptop, jump out of my bed, and rush down the stairs.

This morning started early. Only an hour before the alarm goes off, and as I slowly drift off to sleep once more for the hundredth time, I'm woken by the sound of Mady running into my room crying. She had puked all over herself and her bed. I walk into her room and see Courtney silently sleeping with the puke barely missing her. Ben delicately moves her into our bed trying not to wake her.
Ben insists on him cleaning it up so I don't have to deal with the joys of cleaning up vomit.
I refuse to have him do it alone and he refuses to have me do it alone. We work on cleaning the mess up together. As I start the washer and mix the soap with the hot water, he brings the rest of the bedding downstairs while I throw them in the wash. He goes upstairs and draws Mady's bath water and gets her all cleaned up and dressed in fresh clean clothes.
As the day goes on, I see the delight and excitement in Ben, Courtney, and Madison's eyes as they play bowling on the wii. It's becoming a staple around here. My game was over, and I decided to sit the next game out. As I sit the next game out on the couch, I listen and watch with delight. I know how blessed I am to be right where I am at that very moment. Courtney gets a strike, once again, and she starts laughing. Mady's little voice is filled with excitement as she takes her turn. I hear Ben say, "ALLLLRIIIIGHHHT!!!!!!!!!" followed by a high five after the kids take their turn.
As the time approaches for Marshall to get out of school for the day, I insist on picking him up from school. I am anxious to indulge in the book I'm currently reading while I wait for my son to dash into the car after school lets out for the day. Shortly after the bell rings, I see my son running toward me with that smile of his that makes my heart melt.
When Marshall and I come home, we see Ben and Courtney playing Yahtzee at the kitchen table.

At night as I peak in on each of my kids and see that they have drifted off to sleep into a land that I can only imagine, I just stand there, taking in their beauty:
Their soft, beautiful, milky white skin. Each scar and hidden freckles defining them with more beauty.
Their cheeks and lips, pink and soft.
Their eyelashes reaching out to toward their cheeks.
Their soft hands that spend countless hours blessing the lives of others. I imagine what those hands will touch tomorrow. Where their hand prints will be left for all to see tomorrow.
I close my eyes and take it all in.
I couldn't imagine my life without them. I am blessed.
They are so little. They look up to me to guide their lives, to create a happy life for them, to teach them, to comfort them, to love them. And that's exactly what I will continue to do. They need me and I need them.
I imagine them looking up at me with their big blue eyes, with their hands outstretched waiting for me to guide the way. And that's just what I will continue to do with as much honor as any mother could possibly have.

As my Husband drifts off to sleep, I can't help but run my fingers through his hair. I love holding his hand while I drift off to sleep. His touch is so empowering and makes me feel safe. I know I am loved and protected. I know the kids are loved and protected. As I lay in his arms with our legs intertwined, I feel safe. As we lay like this, I am mesmerized by his every breath, and I drift off to sleep.

Some days get busy and overtaken with the worries of the world. But today, those worries subside, and the blessings are well known.

2 comments:

Nat said...

Awwww... :)

Ashley said...

WOW!!! That is beautifully written! I got CHILLS!! ;) It's amazing to watch them everyday!! Congrats!! I didn't know you are expecting!! :)

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