Beautiful Chaos...

"The thing about chaos, is that while it disturbs us, it too, forces our hearts to roar in a way we secretly find magnificent" -Christopher Poindexter

I recently read this quote that resonated with me and where our family is in life. We have a maturing 6 year old (in 9 days...eeek!...and just made his very first batch of cookies all by himself), 

a special needs 4 year old, 

and a sassy, emotional 2 year old...

so chaotic doesn't even seem to always accurately portray the adventure we are on. But oh friends, when I lay my head down at the end of the day laughing with Daniel as we rehash the events that unfolded, my heart roars to this beautiful chaos of life that we truly do find magnificent. 

It definitely isn't a glamorous life, but I love it none the less.

Even through the sibling squabbles, I love the friendships...

I love the desire to have sleepovers together, even if it is in Max's hospital bed and they have a hard time falling asleep because of playing together :)...

I know I've said this before, but we must look like crazies when we go to stores together. Zoe is usually a handful and doesn't listen (she may be the death of me real soon!)...

but honestly, you may never know what will happen like when crawling races will spontaneously begin...

because Max is having a meltdown in his chair and doesn't want to be held either. I love that we have an annoying little sister who has to do EVERYTHING big brother does!

Just the amount of time it takes to clean up after munchkins is chaotic in itself, but I still wouldn't trade that smile or the joy Zoe had eating strawberries and drinking (or spilling rather) chocolate milk...

I especially love the warmer days when we can carry on the chaos outside...

Where there is more freedom and room to let loose, shout at the top of our lungs, have pool noodle sword fights..

make wishes upon dandelions...

or splash around...

and skip rocks in old rain water...

This tiredness we feel as parents (both physical and emotional), the unending amount of questions, the need to always take care of someone or something, the continual amount of redirection, the breaking up of squeals and frustrated siblings, the conversations and prayers about God and what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ...

every bit of chaos...is all worth it. Just to get a glimpse of God and learn more of who He is through our children...

is beautiful and magnificent. So all you other mommas out there living in the chaotic trenches of raising children, stop to take time to hear your heart roar, allow yourself to become distracted with beautiful moments, spend time pausing in the chaos to enjoy what is really taking place in your home...

So, here's to the beautiful chaos of life...

Join me in living it up to God's fullest glory!