Unconditional Love

Ephesians 3:16-19

New International Version (NIV)

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

"Many of My children limp through their lives starved for love, because they haven't learned the art of receiving. This is essentially an act of faith: believing that I love you with boundless, everlasting Love." Jesus Calling- Sarah Young

Isn't this true? It's hard to give and receive unconditional love. My children have taught me so much about this type of love. There is nothing they could do that could keep me from being completely in love with them. They fail, they stumble and make silly mistakes. They can make me pull the hairs right out of my scalp and sometimes I just want them to stop talking for five minutes of quietness, but I am head over heals for them. I miss them as soon as I drop them at school or with Nana. When I'm apart from them, I can't wait to get back and squeeze them. I want them to be close to me and turn to me when in need. I want them to know I would do absolutely anything for them. I want to know them at their deepest level, their dreams and fears and passions. I want them to want to spend time with me. I think this is the way God loves us. Most love is conditional... I love you when you do this... or perform like this... or act like this... or make me feel like... the list goes on. I love these two babies to the moon and back and nothing could change it.

We had a fun bedtime last night...











This is Libbie when she is trying to hold her eyelids open




Big Brother joined us and you can see his reaction to Fancy Nancy... less than thrilled




Tucked in






Almost gone!!




And look what I found in my bed!!!! This hasn't happened in over a month... He slept with us all night... and just like every Saturday they were both up before 7AM.... Chipper and ready for the day.
I love these two!

NINE

Hoot turned nine last month. Tomorrow we will celebrate with a few of his friends. NINE... how in the world did that happen? NINE~ sigh..... Nine is no longer sleeping in mom's bed and snuggling under the covers. Yes he slept all of the night or most of the night in our bed until he reached the number nine. Usually he started off in his bed and then creeped into ours around 2AM. I told him that when he grew hair on his legs he would have to start sleeping in his own bed. Well the hair came and he told me that when his hair turned curly like his daddy's legs he would migrate to his bed... It happened at NINE but his hair hasn't curled yet. I thought we had a plan... The whole night he's not in our bed.... sigh... I know a lot of parents are judging right now, but I don't care. I loved him curled up or sprawled out in our bed. So sad. Nine is reading mystery books under his covers with a flashlight. Nine is boy humor. Nine is too old to hold my hand in a parking lot or busy store. He can keep up without being physically attached to me. Eight was still in a booster seat.... Nine... not so much. Nine is modesty and privacy. Nine is completing LEGO sets solo... no help from Daddy. Nine is asking tough questions and expecting real answers. Nine is understanding we live in a broken world. Nine is still innocent and tender. Nine is honest and thoughtful, witty, and often wise beyond nine. I love this nine year old Hoot. He is a wonderful son. Nine years came so quickly. I fear nine more years will come just the same and he will be leaving our nest. I know our job from day one was to help hin depart from the nest. I just can't imagine it though. More times than I care to admit I'm the mom that won't let go. I'm protective and cautious. I fear the worst in almost all circumstances. (he was in a booster until this year for goodness sake) Maybe I am a control freak... I'll talk to my counselor about it nine years. . Hoot will probably talk to his counselor about it too... Ha! Happy Birthday Son.