The Only Good Thing About Today

Up until a few minutes ago, I would have said that the only good thing about today is that it is almost over. It is 8:45 and usually all three kids are in bed sound asleep. Instead, tonight Carter is in his swing beside me, wide awake. Emma is crying in her bed because she hurt her foot crawling in and out of her bed (which she was told not to do) and I am being less than sympathetic. That's what happens when Carter wakes up at 3:30 am and won't go back to sleep until nearly 6:00. He woke up both girls and at 4:15 this morning I was going to give him a bath and try to calm him down. Instead of giving just him a bath, in my tub at 4:15 I was joined by Hannah and Emma as well. So, all four of us were in the bathtub and they were chattering on and on as if it were 4 pm. I thought I might die. Emma went back to sleep with Carter just before 6 and Hannah got up for the day! They went to school 30 minutes late so Emma and Carter could sleep in a little bit. Carter refused to eat and sleep all day. The only place he has found any comfort is in his swing. So, he swings and swings and swings. Tonight the girls were very good considering the lack of sleep from last night. I thought they would be in bed by 7:30 and sound asleep by now. One hour later and they are still awake. I am SSOOO tired and tired of being a mom right now. I don't want to discipline them. I don't want to speak to them. I just want to sleep. I just want Carter to sleep. I just want Joe home and all to be well again.

Shortly after I put the girls to bed I went down to the kitchen to turn my coffee pot on and saw this scene in the living room. It is the only good thing about today...

For those of you that have followed our blog for awhile, you might remember that Emma loves nativities. Our nativity is her favorite Christmas decoration. She has 4 nativities in her room. Tonight after they went to bed this is what I found. All of the girls' nutcrackers were surrounding the manger worshipping Jesus. This makes everything about today okay. This erases the tears and runny noses I have had to wipe today. This takes my mind off the fact that my floors need cleaning, my laundry needs folding and I still have a billion shirts to sew before Saturday. This is partly why I LOVE Christmas and decorating for Christmas. This scene of worship created by a five year old who gets it! She GETS Christmas. She loves Christmas because she loves Jesus and she thinks even her Nutcrackers should stop what they're doing, move from where they are, and love Jesus too. For all the hours I have spent decorating this week...this makes it all worth it. It reminds me that I too need to stop what I'm doing, move from where I am (from my constant state of tiredness and complaining) and worship Jesus.