Christmas Blessing!

I know I know, it's been a while. Please forgive me, but I have been soaking up every single second with my Hubby while he is on break from school. We have been all over and spent wonderful time with friends and family. We have crafted, been all over the city taking in the beautiful season and making Christmas memories.

Today, I was wrapping up my last few projects and my last gifts when I got a call from Hubby who was out to lunch with an old friend. He said, "Honey, you won't believe this, but he paid for my lunch. AND then, he gave us (large amount of money) and told me to take you out for a nice date (more like 5 or 6 nice dates:) and when I refused he said that him and his wife talked about it and wanted to bless us. Is that AMAZING!?! Right before Christmas, when times are tough and he has his own family and children to bless. I was just shocked and then I cried. These are friends we don't see often anymore and just an invite to lunch was a blessing to Marcus but everything else was so unexpected, but oh so appreciated. Hubby and I don't exchange presents on Christmas so we can focus on the boys and this gift today gives us a chance to spoil each other a little bit and the gift of time with my Hubby is the best thing I could ask for!

Izzy surprised me yesterday morning by giving me his favorite stuffed animal. When I asked why he wanted to give it to me he said, "Because I am learning about the spirit of Christmas and that means giving and sharing your favorite things, so I give you Jack, but I need him back after Christmas. :) I'm so glad he is learning to be a giver because we have been given so much. My prayer is that I teach my boys to give and be thoughtful of others first,because in the end, God always takes care of every single need or desire. Today is a perfect example of that.

I hope that I have been able to bless my friends and make them feel as special as I feel today. Praying the rest of 2010 finds you richly blessed and surrounded in love! Merry Christmas! Michael

Another heart melting moment...

Do you ever feel like you are pulled so thin, that you aren't doing anything to the best of your abilities? Especially, the stuff that counts like being a Mommy? Well, I feel like that a lot. I mean A. Lot. Hubby is in his second year and his schedule is beyond crazy and as much as I hate to admit it, I am not perfect. I know, SHOCKER!

With Hubby being in the midst of finals, and the holidays quickly approaching, add in the holiday parties, required family gatherings, school functions, play dates, projects and oh yeah, Mothering children, it sometimes feels like I give them all of my time, but my focus isn't quite there as it should be.

Just when I am feeling a little down, I can always rely on my sweet Izzy to surprise me with his flattery.

Back story:
Last week, Izzy came home from school with a note saying that he had been a tad too talkative and had to miss 5 minutes of play time with his head down. Now, if you know me, you know this devastated me. I am a rule follower. I am obedient to my core and for my children to disobey, well as dumb as it sounds...it hurts. After a talk and a day without electronics as punishment we regrouped and finished the rest of the week out right. Add this situation to a finals weekend with no Hubby support and Izzy who is desperately missing his Daddy time (read: SUPER EMO) this weekend left me feeling like I can't handle everything and do it in a way that make my kids feel full of what they need all of the time.

Sunday night, I put the boys to bed at 7. No fussing, no problems. I walk upstairs to my room to get dressed for a craft night with a friend and within a minute, my Izzy is standing in my doorway. I didn't even have time for a sigh or a eye roll because before I could process anything, there he stood with a sweet innocent smile on his face and he said, "Mama, I know I am 'posed to be in bed, but I have to tell you something special. I like you very much and I really appreciate you. You are always nice to me and I just thought you should know that. I love you Mama, and don't be mad at me cause I got out of bed, okay?" He then proceeded to come give me a huge hug and kiss that was one of those moments Mommy's live for. The kind of hug where the love just pours out over you and refreshes you. It is a moment I needed so badly, and one I will never forget.

On my drive to my friends that night, I thought about what he said and realized, that just as I don't expect perfection from my kids (although it would be nice ;) my kids don't expect that from me either. All of the pressure is self induced and I need to take a few more deep breaths during the day and just give a few more hugs and kisses. I think we would all feel much better this season.

Hoping all of you Mama's out there get your moment of refreshment very soon!

*deep breath*