Children...

They have a way of bringing joy to any moment they touch.

Yes, they can be obnoxious. Yes, they require work. With children comes a level of worry previously, blissfully, unknown. Yet, with children comes an unexplainable joy that has the power to consume your heart. 

It comes out of nowhere and hits you like a brick wall. It will stop you dead in your tracks. One minute you will be thinking about all of life's stress; all of your to-do; all of the pressures and worries and then... a smile. A giggle. A hug. An "I love you, Mommy", and all of that is gone. Your heart is suddenly overflowing with a love so great you would swear it could burst your heart inside of your chest.

Sure holidays are "supposed" to be happy, but they aren't always. Life happens and as adults we have a hard time separating the heavy stuff out so we can just enjoy whatever moment is at hand. Children have the unique ability to do that for us. We can be lost in thoughts of finances, frustrations and pressures and all it takes is hearing that precious laughter... It is the kind of laughter that is filled with joy and consumed with the moment. It is distraction free and undeterred in it's ability to shatter the bubble of life-stuff and draw you in to the moment they are living in.

It is what makes all the shopping, cleaning, egg-stuffing, prep-work worth while! They bring the "magic" to the moment. For children each egg holds the promise of a smile and the sound of laughter. Genuine, carefree, joy-filled laughter. Without children they are just a piece of plastic littering the yard. They are cold and meaningless without the response of the child.

Holiday traditions aren't what make the holidays meaningful, it's the people you spend them with. The lives they touch. The memories they will create.

Regardless of what the occasion is, always remember what truly matters. Be thankful for the people you have. Love without limit. Live in the moment. Listen to the laughter.

We are blessed to have these few years with our little ones to make the memories that will last for a lifetime!

Bless and be blessed, y'all! <3