Just enjoying my children

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I feel almost like I shouldn't be sharing this, because I don't want to come across as bragging - but this is the truth of my experience right now and today it's just really hit me so hard: my children, right now, are giving me so much joy I can't even express it. It's hitting me because I never expected joy in motherhood, only hard work - and the reality is so radically different it pulls me up every so often, and today was a strong one!

Just being with them. Listening to them play together. Sure, they have their moments of not getting along but the vast majority of the time they are each other's best friend and playmate. Now they are both well able to articulate what they want to say, it's a joy to hear how they speak to each other. They encourage one another, and when there's disagreements, at least they both generally know where the other is coming from, and often they do find workable compromises eventually.

And watching that gives me so much joy. 

The love they have for one another, the respectful way they treat each other - they're no longer toddlers who want MY WAY (and to be honest, neither was terrible in that way at any point) - they're growing up into children who are able to reason, to listen to one another. And it's a wonder to behold.

And added to all that, their age now means I'm no longer always on edge that one might run off or do something dangerous or need to be rescued from play equipment (N used to need a lot of rescuing...!) - so today I went to the zoo with them, not with another parent for company but just me with them, and it was golden. For over an hour they played in the playbarn and I sat at a table and read a book as I watched them. They didn't need any intervention, and I just enjoyed watching them explore.

These are golden days, and I'm blessed out of my socks with these children. Thanks be to God.

Some pictures of today's zoo visit...






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