You're my best.

Sometimes I think being a mom is the hardest job in the world. Other times, I think that could not be any further from the truth. What 'job' yields such a high reward? How many jobs are out there that allow you to witness first hand all of the very best parts of you on the outside, growing and learning?

None.

There is a phrase I use with my kids all the time. I often tell each of them 'You're my best.' I'll say it whenever really, but I almost always whisper it to them right after I tuck them in for the night. My always inquisitive two year old asked me the other night as I was getting some snuggles from her as I tucked her in, "Mommy, how I you best?" I couldn't help but smile. None of them had ever asked me that, but of course I had the answer. I told her that before God made her, He looked deep into Mommy and Daddy and found the very best parts of us to piece her together. It took Him a long time of course... about 9 months or so. But when she was finally perfected, He gave her her birthday. So when I say 'You're my best.' it is because all of the very best things about me are embodied in her. I didn't expect her to understand it really. Not yet anyway, but she seemed satisfied with that answer and slipped off to dream land.

Sometimes I find myself wondering about what kinds of things she will tell her babies to let them know that she holds nothing higher in her heart than them. That they have all of her best.

On a more silly note, on our way to church today Bug gave Bubba a quick lesson in match accessories! She has these little beaded bracelets my mom gave her for Christmas. She carries around a few with her at all times, and today she had some red ones and some brown ones. She was actually sharing with her brother for once and after she gave him a red one she gasped and exclaimed "It matches you jacket!!" and it did. She looked back at the other ones she had and squealed and chucked him a second one yelling "And this one matches you boots!!!" It was brown, like his boots. Her little face was just glowing and Bubba just looked baffled. He asked her why they had to match. Her answer: "The colors have to go the same or you look messy, just messy." She shook her head in disgust for his lack of understanding and I was dying of laughter. Once Bubba got the concept, he started point out other things they matched just to prove to her he got it. That seemed to make it better :))

What kind of 'job' gives you endless moments like THAT??