Luckiest Woman on Earth

 In the spirit of Mother's Day this week and also while standing on the brink of going to Hawaii for two weeks really soon, I have felt very blessed in my life and I have four really good reasons life is good right now here to discuss.
I love Chloe's big bear hugs. I love it when I come into a room and where I thought there was previously a mess, she has organized it without being asked. I love it when she laughs so hard she can't help herself, especially when I get stern with her. Nothing sets the giggles off like when she's in trouble. I love her long beautiful blonde hair and I love it when she lets me play with it. I love that her eyes look double their size in her bifocal glasses. I love that she makes friends so easily and I love it when she reports to me when someone is being immodest, then reminds me that we love immodest people too. I love that she loves God and Jesus and Captain Moroni. I love when she takes care of little things like getting Odell's shoes on for me when I'm in a hurry and need to get the kids out the door. I love it when she tells me how yummy my meals are. I love it when she tells me I'm the best mommy ever, and I love it when I hear Linus concur. She's the best little five year old know-it-all I've had the privilege to call mine.
I love Linus' giggle. He has the best hearty giggle you will ever hear. I love his wet little kisses on my cheeks before bed. I love it when he wakes up from his nap and is still groggy, but comes and gives me a big hug and tells me what a good boy he was for taking a really long nap. I love it when he talks in his sleep. I love his sense of curiosity and adventure. I love that he has the same getup that he wears inside and outside the house everyday: his cowboy belt and orange gun (just one gun, even though the belt has two holsters), a black and white sweat band around his head, and a purse filled with a bunch of his toys from his drawers, and I love that he didn't care a bit when another boy in the neighborhood told him that boys don't wear purses. I love when he runs through puddles, he'll pull his shorts up to his thighs and skip through them as fast as he can. I love when he has no clue what is going on, but gets really excited about what we are doing anyway. I love when he sits on the counter and "helps" me with dinner. I love when he smiles at me. I love Linus' smile. He is the best almost four year old little monkey I call my son.
I love Odell's chubby little legs. I love her whispy hair. I love her big blue eyes. I love when she points to all the parts of my face, sometimes digging a bit harder than a face should really handle, and calls them out by name. I love scooping her up in my arms and placing her where she fits best in my lap. I love hearing her laugh when I tickle her. I love her toothy little smile. I love hearing her point to me over and over and over again and saying "Momma," as though just to reaffirm that I'm still here and still her momma. I love the way her arms swing and skirt bounces when she walks. I love her "Mmmmma!" kisses and I laugh uncontrollably when she tries to kiss me on the mouth. I love waking up to find the gifts of small toys that she has lined up on my side of the bed as good morning presents. I love that she carries her sister's baby doll with her wherever she goes. I love her little words that she learns everyday. I love that she knows who Jesus is and points to him in pictures. She is the most angelic little toddler girl I get to cuddle with every day.
And I love Craig, my best friend and eternal companion. I love his goofy smile and corny jokes. I love watching him when he sleeps and he looks so peaceful. I love sharing scriptures and discussing gospel topics with him. I love listening to him pray and love to hear him pray for me because it reminds me that I am loved. I love when I pray for him and things work out in his day that otherwise wouldn't. I love his hugs. I love watching movies with him on Friday nights and I love that we reserve that time for each other each week. I love sitting in the temple with him each month. I love when our kids do ridiculous and embarrassing things when we are in public together and we just look at each other and laugh. I love when we share stories from the day about the kids with each other. I love what a good father he is and love it when he finally gives in and let's the kids play "'TACK DADDY!" (attack daddy) with him. I love what a good housekeeper he is, especially when I fall behind and I come home after a busy day to find everything in order. That brings a lot of peace to a woman's soul. I love his manly-man beard. I love watching him serve other people, even when it's inconvenient for the rest of us. I love our pillow talk, even when I'm left the last one talking after he's drifted off. He is the one for me and I am the one for him and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father lead me to him and I have such a beautiful family with him. He is my home and I feel safe with him around.
I love being a wife and mother and would not trade it for anything in the world.
And I know I'm going to read this over and over again while I'm in Hawaii and cry my little eyes out. Note to Hawaii-trip-Chelsea: close the laptop, get your camera out, and go take some pictures and then read a book on the beach and stop moping!
Goodnight. :-)