It's a beautiful life

 Lately I have really been internalizing what true joy looks and feels like, and it's exactly what my life looks like right now. I'm married to the love of my life, my eternal best friend, and we have created this beautiful family of crazy heads who give us so much meaning, and force us to stretch and grow in painful ways sometimes, but it is purposeful pain. It is the kind that directs us towards Heavenly Father, it is the process of letting go of the natural man and seeking Heaven's help every single day. Is is letting go of pride, our need to have complete control, and it's having faith in Him and allowing our kids to stumble and fall (within reason) to learn and grow on their own. It is being tired down to the bones in Josh's efforts to provide for us, and spend quality time with us, and my efforts to nurture and care for the kids and manage everyone's schedules and meet their needs. I have never been so exhausted in my whole life, nor have I felt this much gratitude and joy. They come together, as one.

This morning Josh stayed home and we got to have quality time together as a family before everyone went off to school and work. After baby woke up, Josh got to snuggle her before bringing her to me to feed. Then we took her to wake up the kids, and they were so excited to be woken up by her. She's everyone's favorite. After that, Josh did a little mini workout with the boys in our living room while I made breakfast and it was the cutest thing watching Napela attempt push-ups. Baby started crying because she toppled over while crawling in the play room. Josh comforted her. Gigi started dancing to the workout music. Then everyone ate, finished getting ready for the day, and left. Baby and I snuggled until I nursed her to sleep for her first nap. Gosh, what a beautiful life we have. I am writing this all down because there are a lot of days I take it for granted. Today is not one of those days.

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