A gift from our children

I wanted to write about something that our dear kids did for me the day after Valentine's day. 

I was having a hard time on V-day but did my best to make it a good day for the kids. As children often do, they saw right through me and finally in the afternoon I told them that I was having a sad day and that I missed their Dad. They were so sweet and loving and wrapped their arms around me. I instantly felt better. 

Later, as the evening progressed, Ellie and Ada got paper out of my craft closet and went downstairs to "do a craft." I walked in on them and they hurriedly covered whatever it is they had been working on. I didn't think much of it and got them all settled and into bed.

The next morning, February 15, I woke up and heard a sort of soft rustling at my bedroom door. Initially I just thought the kids were playing in the hallway. Several minutes later I heard a knock on the door and little feet running away. I didn't know what to do so I just proceeded to lay in bed. After a few minutes the door drifted open and I could see that it was covered from top to bottom with hearts. I had been heart attacked by my sweet girls and boy, who had set their alarms and woken up at 6:30 am to do it.

I got up with such gratitude and proceeded to read each and every message they wrote to me. Then Ellie beckoned me into the hallway where I saw this sign- and I just started to cry. It said "We love you Mom and so does Dad." 

I don't know how he did it- but that little banner was a message straight from Jacob to me. It was a message that Heavenly Father knows that I am here. That He understands my sorrow. That He has not left me alone. And that through Him, Jacob is still able to have influence in our family.

It reminded me that I am loved, currently, completely and eternally by my dear husband.

I know that because I felt it that day through the loving kindness of our children. 

I am so grateful for my dear Lauren, Ellie, Ada and Thomas and for their ability to listen to and follow a prompting to serve and help and bless me. They are the dearest little people and teach me so much through their examples. 

I am grateful to be their mother.

And I am grateful that they heart-attacked my door and left me just the message I needed that day.