Full Hands

I have three sons and one daughter. Gideon and Gabriel are twins and just recently turned four. Micah will be three in three days. Loralei is seven months. My life is busy and full, but it is so good. I frequently get surprised faces when I tell people how many children I have and their ages. It is the rare person that can keep from saying, "My you must have your hands full!" I do have my hands full. Better than empty. And if you think my hands are full, you should see my heart. It is overflowing with love.

Four little souls to love and adore. I would love to share with you a glimpse of my very "full" life.

Two days ago I got home from four days in Texas. Micah was asleep when I got home. I kissed his blonde head and his eyes opened just a crack. He threw his arms around my neck and held me tightly for several seconds. My heart melted into a liquid pool as he held me. When my husband walked in I wanted to show him the sweetness that was our son, so I gave his shoulder a little shake and asked for a hug again. He quickly pushed my head away from me and said, "Go to sleep!"

Gideon and Gabriel have just finished potty training. It was a daunting task to potty train two at once but on the other side it was worth it. Of course, now they ask everyone they meet if they have a penis.

Just this morning, little Loralei was sittig in with her brothers and had started to fuss. I knew she was hungry so I headed into the living room and scooped her up to go do a feeding. Gabriel followed us all the way into the family room where he burst into tears. He cries out, "But I was being nice to her and she was getting happy!" I told him she was just hungry but he was still quite sad as he really wanted to play with her and take of her. It's moments like this, when they demonstrate such love and affection for each other, that make having a large family so much more than worthwhile. These moments make it beautiful.

Gideon is fascinated with Buz Lightyear. After he sneezed this morning he called to me, "Mommy, Buz Lightyear needs a nose wipe!"

Lorlalei just broke her first two teeth. She is starting to sit up on her own. My baby gets bigger every day. She is beautiful and sweet and loves to snuggle. She has a surprising lack of hair but I hope it will grow in eventually. Her eyes are the darkest blue I have ever seen and her smile could melt the polar ice caps.

I cannot imagine my life with any less than I have in it. Yes, my hands are full, but my heart... My heart is overflowing.