How did I get here?

Tonight, Kathryn put the too youngest to bed, but this made Ella mad. She requested that I come cuddle with her. So when I was finished what I was doing I headed down stairs for a cuddle. The bottom bunk is a queen sized bed so James slid over next to the wall and I laid down next to him and then Ella curled up next to me. James wrapped his arm around me and found my hand to hold, Ella wrapped her arms around my other arm and held it to her like it was her favourite teddy bear. James was asleep with in minutes, Ella was having a hard time falling asleep...she had had a late afternoon nap on the floor in the living room. So we all just laid there like that. I listened to their soft breath slow, and wondered, how did I get here? Oh, not it a bad way, I mean, how did I get to be 40 and the mother of these 5 beautiful children? How is it that so much time has passed? How is it that life is so very good? How am I so blessed to have this amazing life?
Don't get me wrong, life isn't always easy, and these kids of mine are far from perfect. The older two can go at each other like the bitterest of enemies, and then banned together and turn on me like I am the evil step mother seeking to destroy their lives. The middle one, though she doesn't yet treat me like an evil stepmother, her lackadaisical attitude can be exhausting. Trying to get that girl to do anything, can at times drive one over the edge. The boy has learned to throw a pretty nasty tantrum and he has taken up punching his sisters when they make him mad. And that three year old...soon to be four year old, well she has quite the stubborn streak. She wants what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it, and she wanted it 10 minutes ago. And it doesn't matter how impossible the request, if I can't grant it, there will be hell to pay. But through all of that, there are these amazing moments that wash all of that bitterness and hurt away. These moments where their laugh ripples through the air and all is right in the world. Or that twinkle in the boys eyes when he is up to something. Or that silly little look that Ella gives when she's got something funny to say. Or the sweet card that I find on my pillow that Kymberly has created. Or the heartfelt apology notes tucked sweetly away for me to find long after kids are in bed, written by one of my oldest. Or like tonight, the moments of cuddles where I feel like the most loved person in all the world. I am certain, that if I had enough sides,even my oldest two would join in a great big cuddle till we all fell asleep.
I have this saying on my wall that says "life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful", and I believe it could also read "kids don't have to be perfect to be wonderful". Either way I believe the statement sums up what make this momma so happy.

PS I think my hubby is pretty amazing too, 15 years in and he still makes me giddy...But that shall be a post for another day :)

On the twelfth day of Christmas

On this the twelfth and final day of my gratitude posts,  I am grateful for...

1) the fact that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year. 
2) the chance to go and worship our Lord and Savior on this the day we celebrate his birth.  It was honestly the best hour of my day. 
3) the opportunity I  had to be one of the narrators for our Christmas service.
4) the wonderful gift it was too listen to three of my daughters and my hubby sing in the choir at our Christmas service.
5) the special spirit of joy and peace that filled the chapel as we sang praises to our Lord and Savior on this Christmas day.
6) James and Ella who sat so reverently by themselves as the rest of us sang/narrated in the Christmas program.
7) the expressions of joy, thanks and love as each present was opened.  I think we all hit it out of the park this year with perfect presents. 
8) a day of two breakfasts.  One before church and one at 3pm, after we had opened all of our presents. We always do a big breakfast on Christmas,  but there wasn't time to do that before church,  so we did it later.
9) a relaxing day at home with just us, playing with all our new toys.
10) puzzles,  and the new to us card table that we could set up in front of the tv so we can watch while we of together the puzzles.
11) the fun it was to watch the kids all sitting around enjoying their new gifts. 
12) this family of mine.  My amazing husband,  4 beautiful daughters and my handsome son.  Life is grand, and they make it so. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas

On this the eleventh day of Gratitude I am grateful for...

1. My Sister and her husband and family for opening up their home, AGAIN this year, for us to gather in to celebrate this blessed season together as a family.
2. Safe travels to and from my sister's place on these very snowy roads.
3. Time spent with my Mom and Dad, siblings (all but two, and they were greatly missed), and all their wonderful rugrats, for a total of 34 people. 
4. The joy that is felt when gathered together as family.
5. Our yearly tradition of a Mexican feast that has been going on since the beginning of time, as far as I am concerned.
6. Food (lots of it) and laughter(lots of it) and all kinds of silliness.
7. The sweet tradition of a family nativity
8. A cute donkey, angel, shepherd and wise man. 
9. The pristine winter wonderland that welcomed us home. That snow is just so pretty when there isn't a single foot print in it and it glistens in the Christmas lights. 
10. A husband that shoveled ALL of that snow off the driveway and sidewalks.
11. Kids who just went to bed so easily and happily.
12. The chance I now have to play Santa and set up all the Christmas surprises.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

On the tenth day of Christmas

On this the tenth day of gratitude I am grateful for...

1)  the fact that the kids are finally out for Christmas holidays.
2) grandma Kaye who played with Ella this morning while I sewed Christmas dresses.
3)  that I am now done sewing Christmas dresses and it's before 3am!
4) that I am also done sewing pj pants for the kids.
5) that I am now ready for Christmas... Except all the presents that I still need to wrap. 
6) kids who love to wrap presents,  I'll put them to work tomorrow.
7) crockpots that do the  cooking while I sleep.
8) a sewing machine that is a dream to sew with.
9) a Christmas tree for the kids to sleep under tonight.  A favourite Christmas tradition.
10) Christmas treats to nibble on to sustain energy while sewing into the wee hours of the morning. 
11) the promise of great fun with the Forsyth family tomorrow.
12) good kids who put themselves to bed tonight because I was caught up in my sewing. 

On the ninth day of Christmas...

On this the ninth day of gratitude I am grateful for...

1) Christmas miracles to brighten ones spirits.
2) the chance to support my second daughter by taking time to watch her present the play her and some classmates wrote.
3) the fact that I was able to finish a vest and a dress today....two skirts to go. 
4) the chance to help Ella create gifts for daddy and Tansley.
5) Ella's enthusiastic attitude and excitement to create fun things.
6) Ella's patience and independence during the creating process.
7) the opportunity to watch the elementary school Christmas concert.
8) the joy it is to watch my kids perform.
9) great teachers who work so hard to help the kids learn their parts.
10) grandparents who makes the trek southward to watch their grandkids perform.
11) the chance to have grandma Kaye stay the night. 
12) a grandma's listening ear when a granddaughter wants to talk. 

On the eighth day of Christmas...

On this the eighth day of gratitude I am grateful for...

1. A solid 3 hours of sleep before having to get up and get kids off to school.
2. Breakfast to calm a grumbly tummy.
3. A comfy couch to cuddle up on with my three year old.
4. Cartoons to keep that three year old entertained while I sleep on the comfy couch.
5. A mostly cooperative three year old who let me sleep on the comfy couch.
6. Warm blankets and soft pillows to curl up with on the comfy couch.
7. A productive afternoon sewing Christmas dresses.
8. Fried potatoes, a delicious comfort food that I haven't made for far too long.
9. A chance to go celebrate some super smart kids at the High School.
10. The fact that my oldest daughter is among those kids.
11. A early evening nap to get me through an evening of sewing.
12. A cheeky Christmas movie to watch while cutting out sewing projects.

On the Seventh day of Christmas...

On this the seventh day of gratitude I am grateful for...

1. The aroma of nuts and bolts baking in my kitchen.
2. A family willing to contribute so we can make a massive batch to share.
3. The deliciousness that is nuts and bolts.
4. 20 minute naps through out the day in preparation for a long night volunteering.
5. The chance to volunteer to help the School earn some much needed funds for extra curriculars.
6. Good company to make the late night hours fly by.
7. A safe drive home.
8. A warm bed to climb into.
9. A soft pillow to rest my head on.
10. The sight of our three year old snuggled up with her daddy.
11. That the same three year old stayed snuggled up with her daddy after I climbed into bed.
12. Sleep.