A Thankful Heart

It's just barely past six when I hear Joseph sneak across the hall, the sound of his diaper scrunching as he walks. It was a rough night and I saw this boy many times between midnight and morning. I throw my legs over the side of the bed and a line from Cinderella enters my mind, Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you. "Come on, get up," you say, "Time to start another day.". I grumpily mutter to myself, "Time to start another day". The boys are already half way down the stairs. I join them in the kitchen just as Joseph throws open the pantry doors and starts spouting off all of the things he'd like to eat for breakfast, "Kee-ios Mom? Pa-cakes?" I let out a sigh and go to work getting breakfast. Mornings are not my thing and I struggle through my "Be of Good Cheer" theme each and every time I get out of bed. 

It isn't long before Finley hears all of the commotion and cries to be picked up. As I near the edge of his crib he looks up at me and smiles while his legs wildly kick with excitement. He is in need of a new diaper and outfit so I place him on the end of our bed to be changed. Daddy joins us in the bedroom and gets some nice coos and smiles from Finley before he heads down to finish getting ready for work. After Finley has been changed we head downstairs and I put a bagel in the toaster for Mr. Stannix. Camilla joins us at the table and I pour her a bowl of cereal. When Daddy is finished we all get a hug and a kiss good-bye and then it's time to start our morning routine. Everyone slowly gets dressed and makes beds between imaginative play. I fold a few loads of laundry on my bed while Finley lays on my pillow and sucks on his fingers. Once everyone has finished and morning prayers have been said, the older children engage in a game of pretend and I escape to the rocking chair for some morning snuggles while the snow blows out the window.

 It's not long before tummy's are grumbling and the children are asking for a morning snack. Joseph has the fridge door open and is asking for "pea-butter toes". I pop some bread in the toaster and we wait together for it to pop. As soon as it's ready I smother it in peanut butter and he sits at the table to eat. When he is finished he is covered in peanut butter and still has some toast crumbs stuck to his cheek. "Gank-oo Moooom!" he says. The fact that he remembers to say thank-you totally warms my heart. This motherhood gig is much easier when you know that people are thankful for what you are doing for them each day.