Love is a many splendid thing.
Poets write sonnets about it.
Singers sing about it, movies try to portray it.
People through out the ages have tried to define it.
Every one has an opinion about it.
As we all know Valentine's Day is the national day of love.
Since getting married eons ago and having children, my definition of love has gone through several metamorphosis.
Love is a living, growing thing.
This week, it underwent a new, totally unexpected change.
We all know there are different kinds of love.
The love of a child, the love for your lover, love of friends, family, etc.
They are all different, all just as important.
Since having children Valentine's Day have shifted as well.
It's no longer about just Mr Bird and I.
We include our children in our Valentine's Day extravaganza.
We make whatever meal we're having shaped like a heart, exchange Valentine's and enjoy the night as a family.
And yes, chocolate is always involved.
I now have 6 Valentine's instead of one.
Lately I have been baby hungry, for those of you who know me, this is no huge secret.
I am beginning to wonder if the baby hunger will ever go away.
It seems no matter how many babies I have, I just want more.
But, it's not really feasible for us to have more at this point.
I'll spare you the boring details.
So instead I hijack any baby that I can get my hands on.
M&M stayed home from church with daddy the other week because she was sick.
Since I didn't have my hands full with a very busy toddler I had time to sit and listen and think.
I found myself scoping out the congregation in search of a baby I could steal, just for an hour or so.
There was one 3 rows up, but I could not think of a way to get at her in a discrete manner.
So I sat day dreaming.
Then the other night I was with a group of friends, one of whom has a 2 month old boy.
He is absolutely beautiful, just at the age where he smiles huge grins at anyone who will look at him.
Can you guess who dominated that baby?
We had a grand time together.
So why can't I get enough babies?
I think I found the answer.
LOVE!
Babies are pure love, straight from God.
And I am addicted.
I used to think I needed a new baby because I LOVE the newborn stage.
And I love the squishy baby stage.
And I love the toddler stage.
The 2 year olds are my favorite, I can't get enough of the cuteness.
They grow up too fast and then I don't have any more babies.
You've heard this all form me before, right?
Well, here's the Epiphany.
I also love the 5 year old stage and the 9 year old and the 11 year old stage.
Turns out, it's not the stages I'm in love with, it's the children themselves, whatever their phase in life.
I have a suspicion I will adore the teenage phase and the young adult phase and the married children phase as well.
I get giddy thinking about the grandma stage.
Not to say any of those will be without challenge, but none of the a fore mentioned phases has been totally smooth sailing, either.
For me, It's love at first sight and I can't get enough of them.
My capacity to love grows with each new baby.
My love grows right along side my children.
It has been the biggest joy of my life to have these little ones come into my home and to see them grow and change and it melts my heart at each and every phase of their little lives.
So the reason I can't get enough babies is because, to me,
babies = more love and joy.
And who wouldn't want more love and joy?
So, at this phase in my life I have to be content with the love of my nearly 2 year old (I plan to relish this next year with her to the fullest!), and my 5 year old, and my almost 8 year old and my 9 year old and my soon to be 11 year old.
I love it all, even the hard times.
Even I have to admit, I have more love in my life than I probably deserve.
And every day I thank God for it all!
