The Beauty

Every morning I wake up and I forget to stop to think about the beauty of my life. I concentrate on the noise, on how I have to get breakfast ready and the fact that soon after breakfast I will have to immediately vaccum so that the little armies of ants don't attack in full force. Then, it is the race against the girls...can I indeed get the dishes to the sink before complete mayhem breaks out in my living room where Anjolie, dives like an olympic athlete (who has been disqualified for questionable hyperactivity) from couch to couch, determined to be quicker, more accurate in hitting the same cushion with just the right force to send my blankets topsy turvey. Brianna, who is not quite as talented in the sport of couch diving would much rather endeavor in the popular 5 year old grace of : look at me, talk to me, listen to me... me me me me- right now right now right now....*ahem* and not necessarily in that order mind you, she is not picky as long as the main focus is -her-. Then, there is the Lilymonster, named in the beginning, out of affection and love for her NON monster like ways, but with the arrival of the 18th month of life...we have seemed to name her more accurately than we had originally planned ;) Not that she so much acts in monsterous ways, but in the amount and skill of tearing up, Lily, by far outranks her older siblings. Not only is she quick, she is creative! Who would have thought that dipping toilet paper in toilet water and rubbing on her own little baby head with it would tickle her in such a way that you would think there was a clown somehow involved.... Yes, and did I mention that she eats books? Perhaps I was too ashamed to admit it before, but the child eats almost anything, I know, because I change her diaper. What a piggy bank she is! Well, not quite, but she has a beach front in her belly, let me tell you, because I have seen some evidence of erosion. They are going to start charging us to go to the ocean because she takes so much with her. So, each morning she races me to empty the bookshelf, the video cabinet, and the craft drawer. I follow those chubby little legs around swattin' and pinchin' them trying to get her interested in something else, but alas, I fail as she is more interested in the sport of tearing up the house. When they each get tired of their morning sport practice (which can only be fit in while mommy cleans up or prepares breakfast), we settle down for our prayer and devotion most every morning. Their little faces so happy and shining because they get to spend time with me. Even Lily, in her highchair enjoys the time. Little voices talking about God and singing their little made up songs about how they love Him. Random questions about why the moon changes and how did God make the buildings ;) Other than an occasional little spat between Brianna and Anjolie about whose foot touched who, the time together is beautiful. I get to see them in a different light..I get to see a little bit of their natural love and curiosity for the things of the Lord. My heart begins to ache due to my lack of patience and understanding for my little ones and I promise myself that each morning as I prepare for the day, I will not focus on the childish nuisance of my morning, but I will be thankful and praise the Lord for the beauty of the lives of my children. What a blessing they are.