When Mom Is Playmate ...

"Mommy, we go swimming?"
Gabrielle asks enthusiastically as she pops up at 7:30am clutching her yellow giraffe.

"Sure Sweetheart," I say giggling and moving her to her changing table. "Right after Mommy makes a giant pot of coffee, starts a load of laundry, unloads the dishwasher, makes breakfast, feeds pups, ... " (I start to tickle her toes) ... "Oh," she says, "Otay." Ever so sweetly (ever so innocently). Clearly I just melt, gain toddler perspective and breakfast that particular morning becomes a form of tea party with fuzzy animal guests. She then proceeds to wear her pink lifejacket around the house all morning, completely content.

Such is the daily challenge. The Mother of One is frequently Chief Playmate. Knowing that kids love to play (and that play is an essential part of their development) brothers and sisters in the family are built-in playmates. While I positively love love LOVE to play with my daughter (and be a part of the wonder she finds in each new day) I do know that playing with other children is a must.

That said, our home has been bursting at the seams with neighbors, nieces and nephews from all sides for almost 2 months. Most recently, I've been watching our nephews (12 & 11) and niece (5) during the day for this past week while Gramma out of town. It has been a switch going from 1 child to 4 for 5 days (ha ha) but I cannot tell you how excited Gabrielle is to wake up and know she has 3 cousins to play with all day long. (Getting her to sleep is another story!) Although we've been positively melting in this 100 degree heat, we've manages to pack in a lot of play time at the park and the pool. Oh, and getting meals/snacks together for "the troops", well, oddly that too I have enjoyed. Once I get the rhythm down, I find my stride. Plus, I like the hustle-bustle having children in the house provides. Not that there hasn't been hectic times, but I cannot imagine not having more children. These particular cutie-pies are all growing up so fast, it has been fantastic getting to know them all over again (and on a daily basis) for this particular age/stage. (A shout out to my wonderful aunts & uncles who did this and more for my sisters and me back in the day!) This has only reinforced the fact we truly want more children and are praying accordingly!

Now .... at 11:30pm, I am off to tweek a logo concept.
Life is good. I stand in awe of how God moves. When we put our trust in Him, He takes all the parts (mistakes along the way included) and weaves them together into something beautiful.