Mama Loves Sleep.

It’s Tuesday. On this blog, that means Mama Loves.

Mama loves sleep.

Recently the kids initiated a new nighttime pattern. Zach starts screaming around 11pm. I think he dreams about dinosaurs. He thought dinos were cool until about a week ago. Now he’s dreadfully afraid of them, so much so that he won’t wear his Toy Story t-shirt any more. It shows the whole gang, including Rex. You remember Rex – right? The only dinosaur tamer than Rex is Barney and — well, Barney kinda scares me, so maybe Zach has his reasons for being afraid of Rex. Anyway, about an hour after we get Zach back to sleep, Ellie comes knocking on our door. She’s scared and thirsty and wants allergy medicine and can’t get back to sleep. In truth, she just wants to sleep with us. So, for the last few nights (I’d say four or five) I have been squished between Rick and Ellie, trying not to get too hot under the down comforter that I can’t get out from under because they’re both either lying on top of it or clutching it tightly. I also spend my nights trying not to move too much (so Rick can get enough sleep for work) and protecting all my vital parts (in case a stray elbow or foot should hurtle toward me).

Mama loves sleep, but I’m not getting much lately. And that’s okay. Every time I suffer sleep deprivation, I remember these verses.

“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.”
- Proverbs 20:13 (NIV)

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
- Psalm 127:2 (NIV)

I know God loves me and eventually He’ll grant me the sleep I long for. Until then, I treasure the cuddles while I’m awake. Mama loves sleep and cuddles! And trips to the park. I love sunshiny days and kids running after kites that won’t fly. I love building intricate patterns with the dozens of pieces of Thomas train tracks. Mama loves good food, Girl Scout cookies and watching Zach’s face as he drops quarters in the offering. I love the songs Ellie sings. I love the stories Zach tells. I love that they share their imaginary friends. I love that they know their friends are imaginary, but still act as if they’re real and I’m friends with “Mousy” and “Dennis”s parents. I love that my kids love each other. I love that even when I think I have little to be grateful for, naming just one opens a floodgate of blessings. I am indeed a very rich woman.

Give it a try. What are you grateful for this week? What are you loving about your life?