It's the Little Things.

Being a mom is hard. It's work, it's frustrating, it's challenging, it's exhausting.

But... it is also a myriad of little blessings that make up a great big wonderful reward.

It's little noses wrinkled up in laughter. Curly, tousled heads peeping over the bed to say good morning. Soft babyish lips kissing my cheek. Listening to two sisters laugh hysterically because someone tooted in the bathtub. Watching eager faces light up as the page of our favorite book is turned. It's small hands playing gently with my hair as stories are told. Round little bellies that beg to be kissed and tickled. Blue, blue eyes that smile as we play at the park. It's overhearing their conversations as they play-- "Annabelle, sometimes little people just aren't as big as big people, but sometimes they can grow, so you can come with me anyway." It's hearing childish voices tell me of God and things in the Bible. Sweet "I love you's" and bear hugs at bedtime. An unexpected pair of arms wrapped around my leg as I do dishes at the sink. Little pink-painted toes and princesses dancing in the living room. Long dark lashes laying over rosy soft cheeks as I kiss sleeping faces.

Someday, Lord willing, it will be the big things; watching my kids get married, seeing their children, rejoicing in how they serve God in many different ways. But right now, while they are young, it is the little things that I treasure.

And they make everything else so worth it.