Mama love

My children, the three youngest, have really been working my little nerves today. It's been rainy, dark and cloudy all day so they've been relegated to the indoors. I didn't plan for the day so they've been randomly playing, consistently getting in trouble, watching movies and doing everything that kids their ages do.

They just finished eating dinner (green beans, spaghetti, bread...) and it began to storm. The sound of thunder caused the toddler to get quiet and look at her 4-year-old sister. "I'm scared," Anna said.

"Me too," Amareah agreed.

They were lined up in front of me drinking their juice. I bent down on Anna's level and looked her in the eye. "It's not scary. It's okay... it's just the thunder, right?"

She came back, climbed into my lap when the thunder
scared her again and wouldn't let go of my tank top.

She looked at me with her big bright eyes and, as is normally the case, I was overwhelmed for love for this petite thunderstorm in her own right. I love all of my children with all of my heart and beyond, but there's something about this last one that causes me to pause.

She's a sweet little dare devil, only 22 pounds and more than 2 years old. She's defiant, spoiled and bossy. But oftentimes she radiates love and sweetness.

Most of my irritation melted away as I grabbed her around her little waist and pulled her to me. She handed me her cup, "I done..." and she raced off to catch her siblings. I sat down to share this and less than two seconds later the moment passed... The indoor thunderstorm, tornado and hurricane rushed into the office causing the feeling to dissipate.

I'm a little irritated again, but at least I stopped for a moment to bask in some love.