Last week our Homeschool Co-op went Christmas caroling at a local nursing home.  The week leading up to it I had my kids color pictures to take and hand out to the residents.

When we went, the residents, of course, loved all over my kids.  My daughter, M, particularly enjoyed the attention.  As we were leaving she said, “Mom, should I go live in the nursing home?”  And I said, “Oh, I hope you have a few years before that’s necessary.”  She pressed on… “But, I don’t feel so good.  I think I have a fever.”  Cutie.  She loved that attention.

So this morning, guess what my kids are playing…

Nursing home.

My little nursing home residents.

It’s pretty amusing.  M is the old lady laying on the couch covered in a blanket, talking in an “old” voice.  Hysterical.  I especially liked the part where she fell out of her bed and was giggle-yelling “Help!” -upside down – balancing with her head on the floor.  Poor thing. 

The boys are coloring her pictures, planning their caroling performance, and giving M tips for acting “old.”  “Pretend like you can’t move your legs!  Your voice should sound older!”  Excellent tips, if you ask me.  

Oh wait… now the boys are saying, “You’ve been the old person long enough!  It’s our turn!  Go color US pictures.” 

Oh, how I hope this game becomes a regular! 

Amazing what life experiences can impact a child, huh? 

I think, like everyone else, I’m feeling a little reflective tonight about my kiddos. 

Goodness, I love my precious ones.  I mean deep.  They fill me up with love and happiness.  They make me proud.  They make me laugh.  They are just cool little people.  

  Something that daily echoes in my brain is, “I never want to waste a moment.”  I don’t want to look back and think I should have hugged them more, or let “I love you” come more easily, or shown more interest in their “little” accomplishments.  I want to store up lots of good memories of being on the floor playing with them, being snuggled on the couch, or at the kitchen table doing something fascinating.  I want to say “yes” more often than “no.”  And I want to be a happy, fun, passionate mom.  I want them to “see” Jesus in me, to see the joy of the Lord, and I want them to have a taste of God’s character because they lived in my home.  That’s what I want. 

And I want to make the most of these sacred moments.  I want to hug them close, smell their hair, feel their baby soft skin, hold their little hands.  Remember their silly jokes, watch them sleep, hear them sing. I want to hang up their art, waste band aids on their “owies”, marvel at their false facts, notice their cute mannerisms.  I always want to remember their sweet and heartfelt prayers, and hear their wild stories.  I want their world to be a little brighter when we leave the Dollar Tree, and I want to kiss them every night.  I want them to feel important , cherished, loved, treasured… That’s what I want.

And I want one more day~ one more moment~ to try to do it.  Thank you Jesus for your protection over my family tonight.  ♥

Check out this post giving 25 Quick Ways to Love Them Right Now!

I LOVE these lacey shoes.  They are so feminine and pretty.  I saw them on Pinterest, and they are Christian Dior, so I knew the price tag would be a shocker to me, but I looked it up anyway, and, yes, was shocked.  

So, I decided to play “guess the price” with my family.  First, I showed these shoes to my son J.  As soon as he saw them he said, “EWWW!  Those look uncomfortable.”  Hmm… he did not find them as gorgeous as I did.  And he guessed $25,000.  Might as well be. 

So, I showed Tony.  And he sneered and said (I’m not kidding) “YUCK!  Those look like they would hurt.”  And then I forgot the game, and decided to test gender differences within my very own walls.

Then I called over E.  And he said, “Those are not cool.”  Why not?  “They look like a vacuum.”  Hahaha… leave it to E….  What? 

Finally, I showed them to M… my precious little girl.  And she said, “OOooo… those are BEE – U- TI- FUL!  You should get a pair like that!”  And she went twirling off into the other room. 

And THAT friends, is why I’m thankful I got at least one girl.  To share in the beauty of a pair of shoes. 

The end! ♥

Oh, the shoes are $750.  I’ll have some in heaven??