Chocolate Chip soup

My niece, who has had a particularly challenging last few months...
has said that children have helped to heal her heart.

Children give perspective.
Children give love.
Children want love.
Children are a gift.

It is no wonder our Savior has said,

"....Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

Not a day goes by
that I don't feel gratitude for the opportunity to be a mother.
This is not to say it is easy! It is the hardest thing I have, and will ever do.
Which makes it such a blessing in my life.
As I often (jokingly, but.. with some truth!) tell my kids,
"What doesn't kill you--will make you stronger!"
Being a mother is making me stronger.
The daily lessons I learn from being a mother
are helping me to reach my full potential,
to become the person I am suppose to be.
It is a process, two steps forward, one step back.
Not perfection, but progress nonetheless.
And gratefully, kids are resilient and forgiving.
Justin has told me-

"mom, I will always love you,even when you are mad."

I guess, I am just wanting to express my gratitude for joy.
The small and precious, daily moments of joy
that help soften the days ups and downs.

They give you perspective,
help you stop for a moment,
And feel-- really feel, the treasure that life is,
and the joy that comes from loving.

One reason I have enjoyed blogging,
is it helps me recognize the moments that make life so meaningful.
Those small, usually simple everyday moments
that will one day make up a lifetime of happy memories.
Sometimes "life" can get so busy that we miss them!
And yet they are always there if we take the time to see them.
The pictures below show one such moment.
So glad I didn't miss it.

I was enjoying a long hot shower

when 2 very excited toddlers

came running into my bathroom.

"Mom, mom, we have a surprise for you.

You're not going to believe this...

WE made DINNER for you!"

I tried to hide my fear, remember-

I had taken a long shower.

" When is everyone getting home? We have the table all set!"

It is only 9 a.m.

I am terrified to enter the kitchen.

"Close your eyes!"

I am definitely closing my eyes.

Holding my hands they proudly guide me to the table,

and to their amazing creation of Chocolate Chip Soup!

They did have the table set for 7 and had already dished some up for me to taste.

I was both stunned and relieved.

Stunned at the amount of water and dishes

that covered the kitchen in their preparation of dinner,

but also relieved,

it could have,(and has been!) sooooo much worse!

Because we wanted to eat the soup "while it was good",

we decided not to wait for the rest of the family.

We enjoyed fun conversation over an early dinner

of Chocolate Chip Soup.

And then...

went and got dressed for the day.