Flawed but Cherished : 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