Love at will.

A moment ago Adisson approached me and told me she was ready for bed.  I lifted her up in my arms and she asked if I would sing a song to her.  She recited a lyric from the song to me and I obliged her request (it's a song we sing together a lot).  I paced the hallway (so as to not to wake up little sister already asleep in the room) and sang the song as softly as I could.  Then I remembered when Adisson was a newborn and I held her in the same manner in my arms.  I remembered bringing her to church and thanking God to tears for my Adisson as we sung a hymn.  Now my little girl is turning 6-years-old soon and as you can imagine, my 5' 1" frame will not be able to carry my dear girl as long as I used to.  Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to finish her lullaby.

Adisson. Meaning: Made in God's Image. Esther. Meaning: Victorious.

Curious crawler.

Right now I consider it a privilege that my children want to be with me ALL the time.  Whenever I leave the house, whether it is to go grocery shopping, to tutor, or to spend much needed girl-time with other Moms, she always calls out to me from her bedroom window with, "Don't take too lonnnnng!"  The other day she told me about all of the things she did the day prior- reading a book, brushing her teeth, watching the cooking show (Food Network)- and she finished her summary with "and I just wanted to do ALL of that with YOU."  It is loving confessions like that that makes me cherish this time.  Of course I have my moments where I'm irritable, I snap about not being the maid, or ask if they have a few bucks to pay for the food that they're not eating.  But hey, it happens to the best of us, right???  Aside from that, I earnestly try to grant as many "Mommy & Me" requests that Adisson has because I know very well that one day... when best friends and, Heaven help me, boy friends come along... Mommy & Me time may fade for a while.  Or it may not.  Either way, I won't leave it to fate to decide.  That is why every day I really try to genuinely show my kids that I value my time with them.  

Mommy & Me

Nearly 1.

"Here inside your presence, I'm taken by the wonder of You," I sing.  Adisson clings to me and rests her head on my shoulder.

2-year-old beauty.

Curly locks.

"Here inside your glory, we give our lives fully to You." She wraps her arms around me and squeezes.

Accomplished.

"Holy... Holy... are You." Her head heavies and she's fast asleep.  This is a moment I can mimic, but can never get back.

On the waterfront at 4.

I love my family.  I love my children.  When I was single I prayed for my future husband and children.  Now that I have them, I love them at will.

Strong. Leadership quality. Brave. 5.