6:26 am
I blink twice and refocus. Maybe if I squint a little harder. Yep, that's the right time. Why, I wonder, did God design us the way he did. This would be the 6th time I have taken a pee since 11:08 the previous evening. What kind of sleep was a gal to get, with a pee break every hour? "Get used to it!" I tell myself. "This is not going away any time soon." Besides, with a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old, I'm lucky to get that solice. Then I hear it.
Pitter patter, slam, pitter patter.
"Hi mama."
"Hey. It's still nighttime. Mommy's tired."
"Okay. But I slept in bed the whole night. Plus I cleaned my room." (referring to our conversation the night before about how she was to do absolutely nothing the next day-today- until her room was cleaned)
"mmm.hmm.--shh"
By now I know there is no falling back asleep for me. I was not given the gene that Mike was. Once I am up, usually this time every morning, I am up. I keep my eyes closed, hoping that today would be different.
"Mama..I peed in my pullup..sorry"
"mmm..hmm..shh"
Nothing was different. It was inevitable that the plans I had made --fantasy of course-- were not going to come to pass. The only Saturday that Mike & I have off together (it is VERY rare that we have the same day off, let alone a Saturday!!) and there was to be no sleeping in, no lounging...reality of children hits hard..lol
"Mama.."
"Hannah..please."
"just one more thing mama."
"Yes?"
"You know how much I love you?"
"No Hannah, how much?"
"A HUNDRED!!"
Okay, so sleeping in was nice, but the reality of being loved " A HUNDRED"...that's so much better. My eyes open. I smile and hug.
I hear it again..
pitter patter, slam, pitter patter
"Hi Mama. Goud murnin"
"Hi honey."
Well, there it was. My day had officially started.
6:51 a.m.
7:02 a.m.
"Okay guys, want to watch some tv?"
We all know that answer. And with that my children were heading off the bed.
"Oh mama" Hannah says as her face is 2 inches from mine, her hair itching my chin, her stale morning breath aimed right at my nostrils...
"yes honey"
"You're so beautiful. And I love you. And you're a princess. Good bye"
And with that, they were gone.
7:11 a.m.
Time to rise and make breakfast.
Today, I will try to look at my loved ones with the love of a child. The love that God wants us to have. I will remind myself that they were placed in my life for a reason. LOVE.
And I will love them "A HUNDRED!"
7 comments:
Oh my gosh! Does this story bring back memories. For the first time in 20 years I am able to think about sleeping in!
Amy, you are such an amazing writer! I think these will end up in a women's devotional someday. Missing you. You are truly precious!
Cheryl
Lovely Amy!
This was too good not to share - Kevin and I both had the warm fuzzies. You are an EXCELLENT communicator!! Be blessed - may your bathroom breaks need to be few and be secure in knowing that you are loved "A Hundred"!!
Oh my gosh, Amy! The tears are running off the bottom of my chin as I remember days gone by and am reminded that even though my one of my kids is now a teenager I still need to love her a "hundred". Maybe I'll go wake her up right now and remind her that I love her and that's she is a princess!
Vicki
I am reminded of how adorable my niece is and how much I love hearing "hannah stories"!!! Keep them coming!!
Love u guys!!!
Bran
Well, just to encourage you Amy, You will get those days back, sleeping in and all but you will look back in amazement on how fast though days come. Enjoy and revel in them now because twenty years from now you'll be looking back thinking where did those days go? Keep them coming I am enjoying the stories. Be Blessed!!!!!
Love Tammy
I so enjoyed those years with my children. You are building a strong foundation with your children that will be so important in the later years. God bless you Amy as you train up your children.
Rhonda
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