The Birthright

My three little bugs,
Ok, so we are riding in the car the other day and Jake, you inform me that because you are the oldest, the birthright of our family belongs to you. (Now imagine me screeching to a halt and staring into the backseat to make sure this is actually you, my 6 year old son -- because mentally, this is what happened). In the real world, I was totally unfazed, and cool as a cucumber and said "What do you know about birthrights?" Also, in my head I am going through my rolodex of neatly catagorized information to come up with what the heck the birthright truly is...sadly, I can come up with very little. And simultaneously I am thinking, this is it--my mental capacity is going to be surpassed by that of a six year old. Fortunately for me, you didn't know that much about birthrights and quickly went on to the Star Wars game that you were going to be playing with your friend Mark.
However, the next morning I was relaying this transaction to your dad. And I decided to look up birthright in old faithful--and of course--it's your namesake. So, for the last few days, I have been pondering what a birthright is...and why God does things the way he does, or allows the things he does. In a moment of weakness Esau gave his birthright to Jacob, and then Jacob goes under false pretenses to his father and receives Esau's birthright/blessing. And I don't know why God allowed it to "take". I guess it had to do with oaths, and that they were binding--but Isaac gave the to Jacob believing that he was Esau--and Jacob pretends to be Esau--so why does the blessing go to Jacob anyway? Around and around we go, where we stop nobody knows. I am assuming that God allows this to be in scripture to demonstrate (again and again and again) that we are all a fallen people--but He can use us anyway. And it makes me think about birthrights, and what is the birthright that I/We are going to pass on to you.
But, I'd really love to say "thank you Jake", for making me thing about something besides the laundry that needs to be folded, and what's for dinner, and when I am going to call the exterminator. Thank you for giving me something to ponder, something of substance. It is crazy to me that you have the ability to challenge me mentally at six, because what will you do at nine and twelve and fifteen? But I love that you can do this. I love that you have the ability to say things that stop me in my tracks and make me consider things of eternal value.

Sunlight and Marshmellows and Fairy Dust

Emily, Emily, Emily--
My sweet baby girl--you fill my heart with gladness.
Do you know what a miracle you are to me? Every time I look at you, I am reminded of promises kept and grace and mercy and love. Every time I look at you I am overcome with joy.
You are a decidedly delicious delight, with your dark little curl falling on your forehead. I don't believe that you could have a sweeter disposition if you were made of sunlight and marshmellows and fairy dust. You are such a happy girl, and everyone that looks at you just has to smile, because you have the most amazing ridiculously cute smile--and you are ready with it at the drop of a hat.
I am so glad you are mine. What could I have done in my entire life to deserve remarkable little you?
At the feet of the King, I bow and say -- thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

You are loved and adored, forever, no matter what,
Mommy

Dreaming of...

Jakey & Bo --
Good grief! We've only been home without you for two hours, and it might as well be two years. The house is so quiet, and your kissy little faces are so far away from me. I like the quiet, every once in a while, but I also like knowing you are tucked in dreamland right up the stairs. I miss you my precious wonderful little boys.
May the Lord bless and keep you while you are away from me. Maybe He will let us meet in our dreams tonight...
dreaming of you,
Mommy