week 16.

Jim gave me the day off on Saturday, insisting that I stay home from the church cleaning, baseball gaming, football practice watching, and A mountain climbing.  He took the boys with him all day, and I rested.  A welcome reprieve in a comfortable bed.  I am grateful for this man who knew what I needed and had the patience to be both father & mother to two busy boys on one hot day. 

week 15.

Last year's Easter was my favorite.  When I took time daily to teach my boys about Christ and His life, His purpose.  All else falls into proper perspective with that in its rightful limelight.  This year the week was chaotic in ways I could not control.  And when Easter Sunday arrived I felt cheated of the abundance felt last year.  Until I went to church, that is.  Where I strongly felt the Power of what My Savior has done for me.  And it hit me that He fills my gaps.  Always.  I give what I can each year, each day.  Sometimes my offering is huge...at others, completely insignificant.  But as long as I'm pushing and plodding with my best efforts, He makes up the difference.  And I am never cheated.  I am forever grateful for His Grace that smooths my flaws. 

week 14.

My two little men are very wrapped up in my larger one.  Then again, so am I.  I loved this picture I caught on his birthday morning this week...when they awoke and rushed to cuddle in by his side.  It encompasses what I treasure most.  With boys at such young & needy ages, we are obviously quite a tight group.  Still.  I know it won't always be so, so I want to remember the blessing of it in my Now.  Before time and circumstance inevitably broaden their horizons beyond these four walls...beyond mornings for four in my King-sized bed.  I will, of course, manage to content myself happily in the arms of the One that remains, but this Now is indeed a blessing to remember.  Still.

week 13.

You can hardly photograph a sound, but on Monday I heard the galloping heartbeat of the tiny baby in my womb and knew it was the biggest blessing of my week.  It's a tough business - this mothering.  Even before you have any control over what's happening, you sit, you wait, you worry..and wonder.  Hearing that healthy heartbeat - especially after an early miscarriage in my last pregnancy - left me overwrought.  And grateful.

On Thursday I got the bonus of an early ultrasound.  I saw the welcome heartbeat and felt a first connection to this tiny human within.  These bits of reassurance bring a Peace to my sit, wait, and wonder.  And the Wonder of it all is that in 6 short months this child will be in my arms - a part of our world forever.  It's a good business - this motherhood.  After all.

week 12.

Cyn came to my rescue on Monday, cleaning supplies in hand.  With Aidan's eager hands, they conquered bathrooms, dusting, kitchen floor, and backyard rubble.  Recovering from sickness is an overwhelming task on its own...combined with week 10 of pregnancy, it was downright daunting to face my messy home this week.  So the four hands of Mom and boy were truly angel hands in our house this week.  A blessing that put me well on the way to mending fully.