Last night around 6:30 I received a text from Nathan asking me me how I was doing.  I responded…If tomorrow is another snow day I think it will kill me.  Today is another snow day…but it has not killed me…yet.  Yesterday was wonderfully exhausting. I didn’t think those 2 words went together, then I became a one sick mama.  I don’t like my children being away from me, but I have gotten used to being able to rest these past few months of being ill with them in school.  With all 3 kiddos at home it seems someone always needs something. My plans of a relaxing movie day were swiftly thwarted.   We only got through half of one movie (and it was a NEW one!?) and then they decided to play outside for a total of 5 hours.  One would think that would mean rest for mama…myself included…not so much.  Like clockwork every 5 minutes someone was at the door…crying from a collision needing a kiss…asking where the sleds, shovels and snowboards are…too cold…too hot…hungry…thirsty…needing a new hat or gloves…but not for a minute wanting to come in of course.  If my husband knew how much the door was open letting the heat out yesterday he would have a heart attack…but they were having SO much fun out there!  Shhh…don’t tell!

Sometimes I just wish I did this parenting thing better.  I wish I had more strength and energy.  I wish I never lost my patience.  I wish I could go play out in the snow with them or stand long enough to bake chocolate chip cookies like other moms are doing today.  I wish my children didn’t have to have a sick mama.  This is so.hard!  While it is hard and exhausting, it is wonderful because I am so blessed to even be a mama and be able to be home with my children whenever they need me.  I don’t do this perfectly, but today I am thankful that I am here and there is nowhere else I need, or would want to be.  I am thankful to get snuggles and cuddles and make cinnamon french toast and hear them playing together using their imaginations and getting along.  I am thankful that while the snow is (still) falling we have a warm home where our children feel loved and cared for and safe.  I am grateful that they are so forgiving when I mess up or can’t hack it…and that God’s amazing grace more than covers and makes up for my mistakes and shortcomings.   I am thankful that even though this time goes way too fast for me…for now they get to be little…and I get to enjoy every wonderfully exhausting minute.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10