My kids are BLESSED!

After working 10 hours on Friday and 6 hours on Saturday, the extended weekend for Memorial Day was much welcomed in our home. Those days are so mixed with emotion for me. The majority of the time I am away from home I fight the "Mommy-guilt" that comes with being a full-time-working-mom. I miss daily events and sibling squabbles. I miss homework duty and sometimes family dinners. For the most part, my heart aches to be home and experience every moment with my family. But then, after 14 of those long after-hours pass, I get to witness the pure joy of why I love what I do. I get to stand in a hospital nursery and watch the miracle of a forever family being made. I get to walk an anxious couple into the sterile room where they meet their new child for the first time. Tears are shed, inspections of each body part are made, names are given and a family is established. It's at that moment that my heart returns to a place of contentment, knowing that my family is home safe and well loved, and I have played a small role in making someones dreams come true. It is truly an amazing gift to be able to walk the road of adoption with these wonderful people. Not to mention that I am reminded of how blessed my kids are to have a Daddy who believes they are so important that he chooses to stay home and fill the void when I am away. It is certainly not his dream job...not his "calling" in life. But he embraces it with all that he has and shows us all every day how deeply he loves our kids. Their lives will forever be better because of it!
So with the craziness of a very hectic week behind us, we embraced every moment of our family time. Memorial Day greeted us with sunshine, so we did what we know best...we headed to the ocean!
Nathan is no longer content to sit on a towel and take in the sights. Ever since watching his big cousin play in the ocean, he is full of wonder. He is finding my love of the ocean and enjoys everything about it! He tests the waves to see if he can control them. He digs through the wet sand to find moving critters. He throws massive tantrums when we tell him it's time to go home. He's my boy when it comes to his love of the ocean.
Paige is another creature. She is mostly content to sit on the sidelines, only jumping when a cute dog walks by. Eventually, after much time and coaxing, she may get down in the sand and build some sand castles. But she does it fully clothed with flip-flops on. She gets as close to the ocean as she can without actually interacting with the water. And although her deep love for the ocean may not be fully formed {yet}, she enjoys it and seems to know it means something special. While we were sitting together she asked me, "Mommy, does Jesus control the waves?" We've had a similar discussion before as we try to help them appreciate the amazingness (I know...it's not a word) of all that God has created, so I responded with a simple, "Yup...he does, babe." She goes on to say, "I think He has a 'wave-button' up there and when He wants the waves to go, He pushes it. Then when they get far enough, He pushes it again to make them stop." I love this girl's heart! She is timid...she is quiet...she is feisty...but she loves Jesus and wants to understand Him.
Sitting at the ocean, I was reminded again of how blessed my kids are to have their Daddy. Not just for the simple fact that having a Daddy is great, but HE makes it great. He gets in there with them and investigates, builds and plays...DOES HE EVER PLAY!!!
He and Nate could have spent hours searching for just the right shells and making "mud pies." And when it comes to building sand castles, he's all about packing some sand. But what I love the most is that, although he has his own approach and method, he let's them do whatever they want. They call the shots and he is there to assist.

We finished the day with a party at Mike's brother and sister-in-law's house...complete with inflatables and LOTS of food. I opted to skip the slide this year, for fear of popping the ever-expanding balloon located on my stomach. Paige was initially terrified...until Daddy came to the rescue. I realize it helps that Micheal is still truly a kid, but he enjoys his role of Daddy. I love their expressions...Paige is scared and doesn't want to let on that she is starting to enjoy the ride, while Nate is having the time of his life!
It only took a few trips down together before both kids were on their own and loving it! Another reminder of how blessed they are to have a Daddy who guides them through, but allows them the freedom to expand their horizons. As much as my heart would love to quit my job tomorrow and be a stay-at-home-mom once again, I know God has me where He wants me right now... squished somewhere between home and work life, with an amazing husband who goes above and beyond every day to make life better for my kids and to assure me that we will all be ok...even when I work 55 hours a week. I love that man more every day!