Precious little ones

As Jaren & I put our little ones to bed this evening I was reminded just how precious they really are. Some days it seems like all I do is fight with, yell at, clean up after...my children. I don't always take a minute to remember; they won't be little forever and in ten years will it really matter that they didn't clean up all their toys or that I had to mop the floor three times because they spilled something again.

Jaren usually puts the kids to bed but tonight I was asked to sing to them. Jayce didn't' want me to lay with him so I laid down next to Ila. She was out fairly quickly so I continued to sing to Jayce. I could tell that I was going to fall asleep soon too if I didn't get up. I got up and went over to Jayce's bed. He looked so peaceful as he lay there so close to sleep. My heart skipped as I remembered what it felt like the night he got lost and how grateful I was to have my little boy back, safe in my arms, and resting like nothing had happened.

I have told some this story and some were there to experience it with me but I still feel like I needed to post this for memories sake.

We were in AZ at our family reunion. We had all been hanging out visiting out back at Uncle Kent & Aunt Dottie's cabin. It came time to round everyone up for the evening program and we couldn't find Jayce. We thought that he had just wandered around to the front of the cabin so I sat back down and Jaren went around to the front. As he did so a police cruiser pulled into the drive. Jaren went into the house to find Aunt Dottie since it was her cabin. When they talked to the officer he said that a little boy named Jayce had been found and that someone needed to bring a carseat and come get him. Jaren took off. (Without telling me first) Aunt Dottie came out back and told me that they found Jayce. I said "OK" and then she told me that police had him, he had been found 1/2 mile down the road. I was scared to death.

I waited out front for them so I could just hold my precious little boy the minute they got back. When Jaren returned I of course held my little one tight and wanted to know exactly what had happened. He had wandered behind the house until he came to a trail, then took the trail to a road. He then realized that he was lost and sat down and started to cry. Some wonderful person found him and called the police. He had been found before we really knew he was missing. Thank heavens for good people and the Lord's tender mercies. I believe with all my heart that Jayce was prompted to sit down so that someone could find him. I am so grateful that I have taught him to recognize that prompting and that he was protected.

Aunt Dottie had made everyone name tags since there were so many of us that didn't know one another. Jayce, thankfully, was wearing his that evening. (It has since been lost) Without it they would not have known where to find us.

That night Jayce fell asleep the minute his head hit the pillow. I laid down next to him and held him, cuddled, kissed him, and thanked my Heavenly Father for keeping an eye on my little boy. I don' think I have ever been so grateful for anything in my whole life as I was that night as I lay there with my little boy.

Tonight, looking at that sweet little face I was reminded just how lucky I am. I will strive to be more patient and loving knowing that before I know it these times will be gone and I will miss the moments when my children were so little and needed me for so much.