We have had such a delightful day!

The kiddies and I raced around furiously this morning getting all our housework done fore 8:30am, so that they could have the treat of watching Sesame Street, while I did some extra bits and also got some time alone with the Lord. It was lovely! Time alone, for me, doesn't come very often, so it was a real blessing to be able to stretch across my newly made bed and read a chapter of the Bible without being chatted to by my sweet children! I then quickly whipped up a chocolate cake (ohh yes I do love my Thermomix!), and after dusting the finished product with icing sugar, we took off to the park for a fun morning in the sunshine. As I now sit and reflect back on that time, I'm realising how well-behaved they were! They played, all three of them together on each of the activities, laughed and had such a delightful time! It was priceless to watch them giggling with each other. I am so blessed to have my children so close in age! I wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes our days are busy, yes it's demanding on my body, yes it's noisy, yes it's messy, yes it's stinky, yes it's oh so tiring, and yes...it's molding me into someone that I would not have been without my sweet babies to teach me the simplicity and JOY in life!
I've felt so bad lately, as when it comes to nighttime...I'm had it. I'm exhausted. I'm like a limp dishrag. And so I find myself snapping at the children, my patience is at nil, and I rush through the "get into bed" routine, because all I can think about is some peace and quiet with my feet up.
And yet...I miss so much! This is the time of day when they want to snuggle. The bedtime stories come out, the thumbs go into the mouths, the blankies are dragged around, and the satisfied chatter about their day is spread throughout the house. How I long to be a Mother who is "swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath". It's so easy to find myself frustrated that yet AGAIN Livvy is pulling Christian off the couch by his feet, Jimmy is wearing his Pyjama pants on his head (grinning like the chesire cat), and Rachel is fussing because all she wants at the moment is to be held. Yet, fustration shouldn't be my first response. My Lord doesn't repond "frustrated" when I, yet again, forget what He wants me to do...or get sidetracked organising someone else. He is ever patient, and when He does chasten, it's done in love. What a wonderful Example we have to follow!!

So, nighttimes are changing around here. I'm planning on starting bed-time routines half an hour earlier, just to allow for the fun fooling around, and the extra stories, and the extra cuddles. I want my children to go to sleep knowing that they are loved, secure, and not a bother to this tired pregnant Mummy. I sure do love my kids, and I thank God for them daily!

Now.. I'm going into my boys room to read some stories with them, and share some smiles. xxoo :-)