Love

Since today is Valentine's Day, I had planned to write about all the things I love about my kids. Then, after a horrible start to the day and the kind of morning that most moms would want to forget, I somehow didn't feel in the mood to write anymore.  I made cupcakes instead.  While enjoying a cupcake and a hot cup of coffee, I reminded myself of what love really is.  Even with the biting, crying, kicking, hair-pulling, milk-spilling, food-throwing, screaming and shouting that was our morning (oh, and rescuing Olivia after she fell off the side of a rocky ledge and face-first into a huge pile of snow while Matias and Sofia were both having a tantrum and 20 other moms were staring at me in horror/pity)- I still love my kids....and my life with them.  Of course I do.  And today of all days is when I need to maybe remind myself of all the little moments that I love so much.

So....

I love how all of my kids start smiling and dancing when they hear music.  I love the look on the girls' faces when I go in to get them after their naps.  I love the way the kids start screaming with delight and running around in excitement when I return from a quick trip to the store. I love the way Olivia's smile makes my heart melt.  I love how Sofia tries to copy every word we say and it sometimes comes out a bit mixed up- oopsy daisy is 'Oopee Saidy'. I love the way Matias laughs when he gets tickled.  I love the sound of the kids playing together.  I love how Olivia shouts, 'DANNY!' and all the kids start laughing. (We don't know who or what Danny is, but everyone seems to think it's the funniest thing ever :)).  I love when I see Matias help his sisters. I love it when Sofia pulls her shirt up in a public place and shouts, 'There it is!!' (meaning, of course, her belly button :)).  I love it when Olivia smiles and says 'bye bye' to all of the cashiers as we leave a store.  I love it when the girls hold hands.  I love how Sofia shouts 'Bubbos!' every time she sees snow falling outside.  I love how Matias shows empathy, like when he asks me if I'm tired or if I slept well.  I love how the girls look when they have little ponytails in their hair. I love how Sofia shouts, 'HUG!!!' every time someone is leaving from our house.  I love how I feel when I say, 'my daughters' or 'my son'.  I love how Olivia looks so proud of herself every time she learns something new.  I love how the kids all raise their hand and shout, 'ME!' when I ask who wants a cookie.  I love all of the pictures/crafts that Matias makes (see the lovely butterfly above? :)).  I love how cute Sofia looks when she's mad and how she marches to time out and sits there even though nobody has told her she needs to go. I love how every night...every single night...Tero says what great kids we have.   I love looking at pictures of my babies to remind me how fast time is going and how much I need to focus on soaking it all in before they're all grown up.  I love miracles.  I love family.  I love love and I love life.  I love how just writing this already made me in such a good mood. :)

I am so happy that I am at home to see all these things happening.  Even though the life of a stay-at-home mom can be quite tough at times and by most people (even other moms) is not as respected or valued as other jobs, I will never be sorry that I stayed at home to raise my kids.  In only a few short years they will all be in school with their own friends and this short phase of our life with little kids will be over.  I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can, because no matter how hard it is (and with 3 kids aged 3 and under, it IS hard), I know I'm going to miss it more than anything.  The small, precious moments that happen every day make all the tough parts so totally worth it.  I will treasure them forever....the moments and the kids. :)

Happy Valentine's Day to you and those you love!