Mothering and smothering

Mondays, back to work, mothering & smothering. 

I helped her clean her room, so she could play with her baby dolls & make a mess again. 

Isn't that just how it is. 

So much is on repeat. 

Dishes 

Cooking

Dishes 

Errands

Appointments 

Activities 

Laundry

Library

Listening 

We can look at it as a chore or a chance to serve and give more. I have gone back & forth on these feelings, but when I am tested, I see more joy and beauty in this calling. 

Today, in mid-clean, Em said, "mommy can you hold my baby now." A few minutes later, "I want to take a picture with you and my baby. "

"Ok" I looked in those painted eyes and felt a familiar pose in the crock of my arm and I set back for a picture, hair piled high...not ready for the day yet, still cleaning to do, and I held that baby, and wished for a minute it was real. 

See it's love and service, not a chore. 

Sure, I get tired sometimes, it's not always easy and sometimes it's actually hard, but I'd do it again and again. Just like the last 5 times. :) 

When my Biggest Little was 16, and it seemed hard and scary, I would imagine her as a baby in my arms, rocking her and holding her. This little trick helped me stay calm when pressures of teenage angst would rise and I wasn't sure what to do. I even now, I look at my Jo, the teenager now and see him with tender eyes of a babe.

"Everything is going to be alright."

I say this to him, to me, to all of them. 

So, if I have to repeat something, it might as well be this. NO, It better be this. Mothering and smothering is one thing I'm good at & I know I would miss. 

Love them hard! Kiss them often! Say I love you.  

from me to you w love, 

Mommer