Joy

It is a gift to be home. At any moment in the day, I am receiving love and have multiple opportunities to give love in many forms. It is living heaven on earth. Someone may read that and immediately say, "Your life is perfect?" I would answer, "No, but it is through the suffering, sacrifice and joy to give in the present moment that makes every. single. day, so worthy to live for Him." Without God's grace, guidance, forgiveness and constant calling me back to Himself, I would be completely lost. I am so grateful for our children who give me the opportunities to serve and to see just how much I lack...so that I can be filled. Our children teach me more than I could ever imagine learning elsewhere; this is another example that motherhood and fatherhood are God's designs not ours, because they are endless fonts of love, grace and learning. If I were to capture the moments of joy throughout the day in a visual, I would never set the camera down. Everywhere I turn, a little one is giving love. And, the words they say, melt my heart. Hearing, "I love you, Mama," from Marta before nap, or  "I love you so much," from Penny as she leans her head on her pillow before nodding off, or getting a kiss on the shoulder from sweet Cal during Rosary, or Lottie's sweet kiss on the cheek and a "I have te-woo" (books for nap); Pita's "Can you come see me?" before she falls asleep and a "I love you, Mommy" before she goes to sleep, or Maddy's whispers to her siblings of how they can help or enjoying her morning hug and her arms wrapped round my neck as I kiss her goodnight...joy. Thank you to God ad my husband for the gifts of life. They are total gifts.