I love my kids

I was thinking the other day that lately I have focused on the things that my kids do that drive me crazy and not on the things I love and enjoy about them.  So here it goes.....

The things I love about Tommy:

• He is crazy smart
• He thinks if questions that I never would have at his age
• He has a great smile
• He takes care of Miles really well and loves to be his big brother
• He loves Legos and Star Wars and lets everyone know
• He has a great smile
• He is a good older brother and a good help to his Mom

Things I love about Sheridan:

• She can light things up when she smiles
• She has beautiful blue eyes that can pierce you
• When she cleans she works really hard
• She likes to organize her stuff
• She is has a silly laugh
• She likes to read to her little sister and brother
• She is starting to like fashion and shopping
• She has no idea how smart or beautiful she is

Things I love about Rita:

• She has a contagious laugh and smile
• She can make me laugh no matter what
• She is spunky
• She looks up to her big sister
• She likes to be Mommy's helper
• She loves to be the center of attention
• She loves to sing

Things I love about Miles:

• He makes me smile
• He loves his Mommy
• He loves his brother and his sisters
• He is fearless in the swimming pool
• He loves to play with the dogs and is so independent with them
• He is crazy strong and soooo cute
• He is very smart and is obedient to his Mommy
• He reminds me of his Daddy

So not that that is everything I love about them but the things that stick out about each of them.  I am very grateful for my children.  I am grateful I have pieces of John and I can see him in them.  It has been a challenge to figure out how I am going to get through losing John and I know it is difficult for them as well.  I struggle with figuring out our new "normal" and what that should be.  I was told by someone in grief counseling that it takes 18-24 months to figure out the new normal and I can see that.  It has been 10 1/2 months since John died and I have figured out some but there is still so much more for us to figure out.  (When I typed 10 1/2 months I realized that is how old Miles was when John died. Weird that he is reaching more of his life without John than with him.  I know he will not remember him, but that thought still makes me sad.)  We struggle daily and I realize that how I deal with things directly reflects on how my children look and handle things.  It makes me continue to try and not give up!