I Volunteered and I don't Regret it

We all, meaning all the siblings and their spouses, wanted to go see the Hobbit. All of us going out together. O the fun we would have!
But what about the children?
Well since the last time we went to the theater to watch the other Hobbit movie I played Candy Crush...I did watch the movie a little bit, what can I say!?!? I don't really get into those movies.
So I volunteered to watch all the children.
I am not sure what I was thinking. Maybe I was thinking that watching five children, ages 6, 3, 1 1/2, 10 months, and 8 months, was going to be a walk in the park. Maybe I was thinking about all of their sweet faces. Maybe I was thinking about how much fun it would be to have them all on my lap as I read them stories. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe I was not thinking. 

Either way I was not prepared for what happened that night.
Now don't get me wrong: I LOVE my nieces and nephews to the moon and back. They are the sweetest things ever, and they have me wrapped around their little fingers. I love children. 

I arrived at my sisters home and was greeted by two little boys that immediately wanted me to play trains and read books; hunkering down to their level so I could look into their sweet, clear, innocent eyes and explain to them that I would play with them in a minuet, but first I needed to talk to their mommy. Moments later my brother and his wife arrived with their two children. 
Kisses and hugs, 'I love you's', 'be good for Auntie Anika' (yeah thanks for that last one!), and a few instruction were given. And the parents were off to a night out on the town! 

What is that saying? While the cat is away the mice will play? 
Well I had five little mice.
The next hour was full of little boys playing trains, wrestling, wanting snacks, me pretending to be a dinosaur, baby's eating paper, crawling under the Christmas tree and unwrapping Christmas presents, O and mixed in there was the occasional "Auntie Anika he hit me!" "Auntie Anika see what I can do!?" (he was on top of the piano ready to jump off)  "He keeps taking my trains!" "Peter is biting Laura!" "I think Peter is eating the Christmas tree" "Can we watch a movie and have popcorn?" 

YES!!! Watching a movie is a GREAT idea! 

Off they scamper to watch a movie while I make the popcorn. 
Just so you know,  I was sweating, my hair was all crazy, and we wont talk about the evidence on my face of the marker escapade. Ha! 
While the three oldest start watching the movie, I start making the popcorn. 
Laura and Peter are playing in the living room. Just for some reference they are 10 months and 8 months old, very mobile.
The popcorn is staring to pop a little bit, when I hear the boys watching the movie, start to cry; someone was stealing the pillow, there was not enough room on the queen bed for three little boys, and they could not hear. With a quick glance at the popcorn I figure I have about a two minuets to settle them down and be back in time to finish the popcorn. Perfect. 
I am so thankful in moments like these for my parents and siblings, who have children, for the great examples they are to me about taking every moment and using it as a teaching moment. 
Taking two minuets to remind those little boys what it means to be kind and gentle, and to share with each other because that is what is pleasing to Jesus. 
You can't change the actions without a change of heart; and this is the goal: a changed heart that leads to changed actions. 

Back to the popcorn. Still have about a minuet before it is done. 
Peeking in on Peter and Laura, who are way to quiet. Um...where is Peter? 
Turning around to see the popcorn has exploded out of the maker. And there is Peter sitting in the middle of the popcorn. Cheeks that look like a chipmunk and chubby little hands full of popcorn.  A look of pure joy on his face that said: could life get better than this!?
I hear the patter of little feet. They must have smelt the popcorn. 
Turning off the popcorn maker, putting the salvaged corn in a bowl, and then it happens; it starts out small, deep inside my being, and as this little chuckle grows, it turns into a full-all-out-belly-laugh.
Three little boys giggling with glee, what could be better then the popcorn exploding all over and then racing to eat it all up!? It was almost like a game. And I smile because these are the moments that they are going to remember. 
And so the night continues. 
Time for bed. Now how would you go about getting five little humans to bed at the same time? 
Ya I don't know either! 
PJ's, teeth brushing, going potty, finding the right blankets for the right kids, tucking them in bed and finishing with the Bible story and prayer time. Easy right? Ha!  
Hungry babies, crying babies, fighting toddlers, in bed, out of bed, this CD, NOOOO! that CD, lights on, lights off, he is talking, I want mom, I am hungry and need a snack, I can't sleep! 
An hour and a half later the house is quiet, dishes done, and toys picked up. 
I sit down to enjoy the quiet and maybe read a little in my book.
The sound of little feet creeping down the stairs, across the kitchen, I see a little head peeping around the corner. Those eyes, O those eyes! So big and trusting yet a little timid wondering what I am going to do about the fact that he is out of bed. 
The moment stood still as I looked at him and he at me. 
Putting down the book, beckoning him to come, the timid look vanished from his eyes as he scurried across the floor and threw his arms around me.
"Hey my little handsome man, what do you need?" 
"Nufing"
"Ok how about I carry you back to bed?" 
"Otay"
Up the stairs we go, little arms wrapped around my neck. He whispers.
"I lub you Auntie Anika"
"I love you too buddy"

No matter how crazy that night was or how tired I got it was all worth it when he said that. 

Moments. Life is made up of moments. Teaching moments. Loving moments. Patient moments. Frustrated moments. Joy fulled moments. Peaceful moments. Chaotic moments. 
That night was all of those moments. 
And I treasure them all. 

I hope as we enter into the new year that you will stop and evaluate how you are using the moments that God has given to you. That you don't waste a single moment. For they are precious. 

Flawed but Cherished,

Anika 

Just like his daddy; eyes sparking with mischief! 

I promise, she did not eat all the paper! 

     

"I lub you Auntie Anika"

Just a Little cup of Perfection

Snuggled up in the corner of the living room with a cup of hot Dominican coffee and my computer.
Thoughts of the last few weeks whirling around in my brain; what do I write about?
I could write about something serious and challenging that goes along with the Christmas season, or something that I have learned in my quiet time from the last week, and believe me there has been a lot of things that I have learned in quiet time in the last few days!
These past few weeks for some people have been filled with family and friends, lots of laughter and cheer. However, there are also people who have not had family and friends, laughter and cheer. So I think that I am going to write about some of my not so perfect moments. Moments of shear hilarity, though in the moment they were not that funny!

The sun was streaming in my window, a fresh sheet of snow on the ground, the house was quiet, not a soul was string...not even a mouse (I am so glad for that part!), my sister was in deep sleep next to me, I was cold because she had stolen all the blankets. I blinked. something was not right. fighting the fog that hovered over me, rubbing my eyes trying to get them into focus, I searched for my phone, turning on the screen I look at the time;  is that right? I look again. 7:51am. SHOOT! I have nine minuets to be dressed, and at work. unfortunately it takes 20 minuets to get to work. I will just let you imagine me literally jumping out of bed and throwing some clothes on. It was a no make-up, crazy hair kind of day.
The day did not get better from there. But it did get funnier.
I had to run some errands for the shop. So off to the store I go.
Once in Wal-Mart I was able to get everything that we needed, so with hands over loaded with bags I head out of the store. Out the doors and to the car...but wait...Where did I park? No this is not happening to me! How could I NOT know where I parked!?!? Well this is embarrassing! 
There I am walking through the parking lot literally having NO IDEA where I parked the car.
It is then that I walk over a pair of car keys (no they were not mine, through that would have been really funny!) I am ashamed to say that I thought about leaving them on the ground for someone else to find. Thank the Lord that I did not leave them there!  So back into Wal-Mart with my bags and the lost keys. Walking back out of the store the craziest thing happened...I realized where I had parked!
I really think that it was the Lord being good to me. After, I am sure, He got a good chuckle out of my scatter brained moment.
Well after that embarrassment I needed a coffee.
Stopping at my favorite coffee shop, where the coffee is sweet but the friendships are sweeter, I get my addiction, salted caramel latte extra hot with just a little whipped cream; it is like perfection in a cup, and a dance party in my mouth.
My day is now better.
Back at the office I try to to be a ninja with all the bags, but lets be honest...I can't be a ninja with coffee AND bags. So the easiest solution? Why put my my cup of perfection on the top of the car of course! No sooner had I let go of my little cup of perfection and reached for the car door, do I watch in dismay as my coffee slipped off the car and emptied itself on the snow covered ground.
NOOO!!! WHY!?!?! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME!?!? 
And then it hits me.
It starts out little. But continues to grow until it is a full all out belly laugh.
Best. day. ever.
Why?
Because of Gods grace.
Because perfection is not in a cup, it is in Christ.
Because God is good.
Because me getting up late, loosing the car, spilling my coffee, and making mistakes at work do not change the fact that God is still God, and He still loves me, He still pursues me. I am still His daughter.
And that my friends is why I can laugh at the things that go wrong.
There are so many more stories to share, but that will have to be it for now.
I hope and pray that you all had a merry Christmas, and that you stop to laugh at the little things.