But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. —Luke 2:19 (niv)
Make sure you pack warm pajamas for the boys,” my friend Laura said. “It might get cold at night in the tent.”
Laura couldn’t wait for us to join her family at the campground, but the thought of huddling in a freezing tent with my two-and four-year-olds suddenly made it sound a little less exciting. “Oh, and there’s a slight chance of rain,” she added. “But let’s just think sunny thoughts and maybe it won’t!”
The sunniest thought I could think of at that moment was staying home and sleeping in my nice, warm bed. Suddenly, I agreed with my sister who said I was crazy to take my boys camping. But they were already testing out their sleeping bags in the living room and looking forward to seeing their friends.
I wrestled with my doubts, but in the end, my desire for the boys to enjoy this experience won out.
The cab and long bus ride to the campsite was a hassle, but watching my kids laugh and bounce around our little tent was wonderful. Our trips to the Porta-Potty were a nightmare, but seeing the boys’ smiles as they toasted marshmallows on a campfire was amazing! It did rain, but my kids saw their very first rainbow.
I filled my camera with incredible moments and memories, which will remind me to be crazy and make the most of this wonderful life and these beautiful children I’ve been given.
