Thankful.

I'm amazed at how much Luke and Amelia comprehend these days.  They tell stories.  They act out together different roles and scenes from their favorite books and shows.  They remember things we said days (or weeks!) ago.  They ask very specific questions.  And then ask "why" ... Today I ran some things to Goodwill.  Luke asked, "Where are we going?" to which I said, "Just on a quick trip to drop off a few things."  A few weeks ago that answer would have been good enough.  But today Luke wanted more, "But where?"  Me: "Well, when we're done using things we take them somewhere to share them with other people who may use them more than we do.  Today I'm bringing some of your clothes that don't fit you now so that other kids can use them."  Luke, "The kids are going to take my clothes?!  But mom, I don't want to be naked!"  He didn't understand why I laughed so hard I was crying!  

Many of my friends make lists of the things they're thankful for in the month of November.  Either as status updates on Facebook or Instagram or in their journals.  I was curious to see if the kids would understand the concept so we've each been saying one thing we're thankful for while we eat dinner every night.  Tonight Amelia was thankful for "the park" (I too was thankful for a break in the rain today to get them out to the park to burn off some energy!) and Luke was "thankful for Sissy" which made my heart glad (especially after a week where it seemed like one of my children was in timeout constantly for hitting/biting/hair pulling/you-name-it-and-it-happens-at-our-house-these-days).  Here are a few Instagram pictures of things that I'm thankful for in the last few weeks ... The reality of parenting is that it is just plain hard.  It is beautiful.  It is purposeful.  It is amazing.  It is a privilege.  But it can be pure chaos (just ask anyone who was around last week to witness the beautiful disaster that is reality when you have 4 kids under 3 together for the week!)  I think that's why I love the pictures I get of beautiful moments with my children.  They remind me of the amazing things that occur every day while I'm caught up in the "Oh crap!" moments (like tonight when one of my children is peeing everywhere and one of them has "helped" me dump out the entire silverware drawer.  Meanwhile the phone is ringing, the dog needs to go out out I have no idea what's for dinner.  It's official: I sound like a country song).  I'm thankful for these moments ...

Thankful for beautiful moments in the midst of chaos.

Thankful for new life and the joy all over Luke's face

Thankful for these three monkeys.

Thankful that the babies that started at 3 and 4 pounds are now the "big kids"

Thankful for snuggle time!

Just look at those faces.  Enough said.

Thankful for hide-and-go-seek and other childhood games.