How do you explain Heaven to little girls?
I have found myself struggling with this question over and over the last few days.
Matt's Grandmother passed away on Sunday.  May she be at rest, in peace and not be in pain anymore.
Her services were today.  Chloe took it very hard.  She cried a lot, and kind of clung to me most of the day.  The triplets were mostly curious.  Obviously not understanding what was going on, yet wanting so much to understand.  We visited Papa Terry's grave.  Matt's father passed away 21 years ago, but we speak of him often.  Matt enjoys telling the beauties stories about Papa Terry.  The beauties always have lots to ask him about what he was like.  We also talk about Great Papa Paul a lot.  My Grandfather passed on Christmas Eve 8 years ago.  We visit his grave every Christmas Eve.  
The last few days they have had quite the array of questions about death.  Where Heaven is?  What does God look like?  Why do people die?  Will you die?  Will we die?  Where do you go?  How do you get there?  Is it pretty in Heaven?  Can we play there?  Is God nice?  Is Heaven cold? 
I just look at them and smile, and answer the only way I can,  "I don't know, sweetie."
Because that is the truth,  I just don't know.

What I do know... death reminds me to take each day I am given, and live it the best I can.  
Love and cherish the ones close to my heart. 
I take comfort in the innocence of my children, because they are the ones that can teach me what living life really means.  
The small insignificant details that we cannot control, they do not matter.  Not what we look like.  Not how much money we had in the bank.  Not how clean our house was.  
In the end all that matters is that we gave life all we had.  Gave all the love in our heart.  
Lived life, everyday, to the fullest.  Taking time to enjoy the sweet pleasures we are surrounded with.
Not regretting anything we did.
Again...learning the significance of life...through my children.
Being a Mom is breathtaking.

RIP Stuart

We buried our beloved Stuart on Monday morning.
It was truly a heartbreaking morning, especially for Silvie.
It was business as usual.  Silvie goes to the Stu and Bennie's cage every morning to tell them hello.  This time was different.  She brought Stuart to me with tear filled eyes.  "Mommy, Stuart won't wake up."  Immediate lump to my throat.  She cried and cried and cried.  Chloe cried and cried and cried.  As a Mommy, it was so difficult to try to explain why Stuart was "sleeping."
We had a little "hamster service" and buried him.
A sad day.

A quote...

"Don't just tell your children you love them. Tell them what you love about them."

I love this...so here goes...

Chloe

I love your kindness. I love your soft heart. I love your sensitivity. I love that you are gentle and giving. I love that you are a beautiful little girl on the inside. You are intelligent, independent, affectionate and forgiving. You are welcoming and tender. I love how you watch out for your baby sisters, always making sure they are happy. I love you Chloe.

Jocelyn

I love that you are independent. I love that you are a leader. I love that you take care of your sisters. I love your sweet laughter and your big hugs. I love how you love to explore and learn. I love you Jocelyn.

Farrah

I love your sweet heart. I love your watchful eye over your sisters, always making sure they are safe. I love your gentle touch and your caring nature. I love you quiet independence. I love your sweet kisses and your signs of affection. I love you Farrah.

Silvie

I love your gentle nature. I love your shyness. I love your soft heart. I love how you bat your big baby blues to get your heart's desire. I love your sweet coos. I love your caring heart and the love you show to everyone you love. I love you Silvie.

Matty

(Obviously...Not my child...but...I think he should be on this list too)

You are the love of my life. My husband, my best friend, the father of our beautiful daughters. I love you kind heart. Your gentle nature. I love your caring. I love your thoughtfulness. I love that your daughters always come first. I love your romantic side. I love your manly side. I love you affectionate side. I love that you never complain. I love that you always make the best of it all, no matter how bad. I love you Matty.

To my Best Friend...Happy Hair Cut!

We did it..."The Mom Cut"...well, we are MOMS...Yep. Short. Sassy. Sexy. I like it! Molly and Kimberly. Us. Our Girls Night...A long overdue one I will add. We fit it all, well, a lot, anyway into six hours! Scissors, wine, tears, great conversation, text messages, picture messages, chili con, pedicures with foam flip flops we had to beg for, dutch tulips, my chihuahua bites, shoe and handbag window shopping, laughter, twinkies, hot dogs, peters, peanuts, china, birthmarks, husbands streaking, more laughter, skinny iced white mochas, no whip and turtle brownies, of course nothing skinny about those...oh well, they were worth it.

Life's too Short and too Precious...let's do it again soon and let's Promise to do it often! I LOVE YOU WITH MY HEART AND SOUL THANKS FOR THE NEW MEMORIES TO ADD TO ALL OF THE OLD ONES I CHERISH SO VERY MUCH!

Live...Everyday

I have been thinking a lot lately about life. How beautiful it is. How difficult it can be. How fragile it is. How taken for granted it can be. How fast it goes by. How some days can take forever. How much we can influence the lives of those around us. How much those around us can influence our lives. The way that people think of us. The way we treat others. The way we treat family and friends and how we treat strangers. How quickly what we have can change, with no notice, with no warning. How we learn to adjust. How we learn to conquer. How we think that it won't happen to us. How it does happen. How delicate it is. How tough you have to be to make it. How it can feel so wonderful. How it can hurt so much. How we can be so blessed. But still not satisfied...
I realize that I need to stop complaining about the little things. The things that I cannot change. I need to open my eyes more widely and look closely at all of the "life" that surrounds me each day. Remember how thankful I am for all I have been given. Do my very best to give to others. Set an example to my children. Show them how to love life and give it all that they have everyday, even when they don't feel like it. To look at life and see it how they do. Unflawed, full of innocence and sincerity. Be there for those who need you and be there for yourself. Believe in yourself and what you mean to those who love you.
We never know when it will be our last day...so "live" everyday. Take not even one for granted.
I know that I am starting today. I hope that you will join me.