Falling in Love with My Family

It is hard to describe the evolution of love I experience each day I share with my family. From the moment I said "I do" until now I find myself more-and-more amazed by the beautiful life God has given me. There isn't anything particularly uncommon about my life; I wake up, do my mommy thing, eat, sleep, repeat. Yet when I stop to think about it all I find that my life as a wife and mother is rich with purpose and meaning.

Let's take this day for instance. There is nothing out of the ordinary about a little trip to our favorite place, Harpers Ferry, a mere 20-mile drive from where we live. We do this sort of thing practically every weekend -- going out as a family to a place we can walk around and appreciate something simple and beautiful. But if I step back and see these moments as they are I realize we are creating a culture of joy and fellowship within the confines of our growing family. Each time we take the children out to stand in awe of creation or to worship Our Lord at Sunday Mass we allow them to experience a life that is brimming with goodness and Light.

I often find myself stumped for subject matter for writing on this blog. I sometimes am tempted to think that my life is boring and people wouldn't think that my billionth picnic at Baker Park isn't going to "wow" my internet audience. Then soon after this silly thought comes the truth, which I cannot deny -- my life is full of wonderful moments filled to the brim with joy.

The other day we went fishing at two scenic locations near our home. We didn't catch one single fish the entire day. By the end of the day, however, I turned to my husband and exclaimed, "Today was one of the best days of my life." Why? Because the simple act of enjoying each other's company in God's dazzling country was enough for me to marvel in the gift that is my family. It really, truly is as simple as that. Sure, much of my life is routine. We play the same games, pray the same prayers, and walk the same walks week-in and week-out. That's okay by me. We are in this together, we are discovering God's loving plan for us through the good and bad, and despite the obstacles we enjoy life with each other... and that's what makes my life extraordinary.