Whenever I get crazy, these guys seems to get me back on track:

I love them. I love the sticky kisses, the silly jokes, and the mountains of can't-be-contained energy.  Because of these things, sometimes the only way I can get anything done is to announce a movie night and plop everyone on the couch with popcorn, juice cups and a movie.  "Hurray, movie night, everyone take your seat! Oh, so much fun!" 

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(When Daddy realizes we are watching Toy Story for the 37489373897th time, he's like "I thought this was going to be fun?") Well, fun for some of us.

Today, Sonora was reaching for me over and over and over. Sometimes I hold her so much that my back starts to ache in places I didn't know that it could.  OUCH.  But she reaches up and looks into my eyes, and says "uh, uh, uh" and then the one word that tips the scale, "Peas, Meemee" (Yes, she calls me Meemee).  Anyway, I get so desperate for a break, I resort to a lot of this kind of stuff:

     

I call this "nonchalant parenting." I might write a book.  How to accomplish housework: A) Seat child in a seat with some sort of restraining device, B) Give child a jar of peanut butter you think to be empty, and C) Remember that peace exists more in your heart than in your circumstance!

     Today I was trying to worship and get into God’s presence. I needed it, and quick.  But I couldn’t like I wanted to. Sonora refused to go into the nursery, so I was stuck chasing her around during the service. But, oh how she loved me. She took me by the hand and lead me every where she wanted to go. She wrapped her arms around me countless times and left sloppiness on my neck as she nuzzled. When she was scared she held me closer. She wandered off a time or two, but never lost sight of where I was. Her gaze met mine and I knew and she knew that everything was just fine.

      In my frustration, I almost heard the Lord laugh at me. God, this is serious!  But this is His plan for me: Motherhood. It’s my great gift, the blessing I count most valuable in my life. And in that moment I realized that the Lord was more than willing to meet me where I was at. And as I watched Sonora’s face light up when she saw me, I realized that she had something I very much wanted, a safe place to run, a happy face beaming at her all the way, a stern boundary, a loving touch, welcomed guidance, and glorious freedom. And I asked God to give that to me, to have with Him. It’s the greatest desire of my life. To know Him completely, and to be known. So blessed this holiday season, by my great God, my Daddy.  Oh, and I'm so blessed by these precious little sheep He gave me to shepherd, humbled and blessed to have the most wonderful job in the world.