Happy Mother's Day

Happy mother's day to all those reading this! Today I have reflected a lot on how the Lord has blessed me as a mother. I still have a hard time believing I am a mother of three amazing kids here on earth and our sweet Gabriel in heaven who has such a special place in my heart. I still think about him a lot. Especially recently he has been on my heart. I look at Joanna and I wonder, "Why her?" or "Why him?". Why did he have to die and she live? But then I think that if he hadn't gone home to Jesus I wouldn't have her. And then I have a moment of guilt for loving her so much. But then it passes because I know that it was God's plan for her to be here with us on earth and for Gabriel to bless our hearts for eternity but not physically here in our arms. I knew him for a such a short time within me but I will love and miss him until I am reunited with him in eternity.

I've thought about each one of my kids and how special they each are to me in their own individual ways. Caleb is my first baby and he will always be special to me for that. In the last year we have developed a special bond through homeschooling. He has become my little protector. It's like being home with me has made him realize how hard a job I have and he is the first to defend me when the need arises. We do just about everything together and I have enjoyed having him around. He adores little Joanna and she has already seemed to form a special connection with him. He has a sweet, gentle spirit and holds his relationship to the Lord close to him.

Elizabeth was my first little girl and she is growing up before my eyes. She loves school and her friends and thrives in that environment. She is full of imagination and loves to go off and get lost in a world that she creates be it with her dolls, her books, or the imaginary friends that surround her at that moment in time. She adores Joanna as well but I think struggles a little with drawing the line between doll and human! I think they will be close as Joanna gets a little older though. Heath and I see her falling a little into the typical middle child and we have been praying about how we can make her feel as special as she is to us in a better way. We will probably be homeschooling her in the fall and I look forward to the changes that will bring about in her.

Then there is Joanna. Even at only 3 months she is full of personality. She is a very happy baby only getting upset if she has been in the car seat too long or is ready for bed at night. She is full of smiles and I think she will take after her daddy as she loves to talk to you. She prefers to be sitting up where she can see everything going on and talk to people. She has definitely brought so much joy to our household!

It has been a great mother's day and I feel so blessed to be the mother of 3 amazing children!