the other night as i was removing my makeup and rubbing lavender oil across my face i began thinking about my girls and how good it feels to be pampered. i made a list of all the things i could do to give them each their own little spa day. with little ones it's so easy to just throw them all in the bubbles together and like an assembly line: wash, rinse, dry, lotion, repeat. but knowing how much i love my alone time in the bathroom we moved forward with our one day spa.

when i told E about my plan her eyes lit up, "you mean i get my very own bath and the water won't be cold?" it just about broke my heart as she explained that while the water was usually just right for the little girls, she was usually cold by the end.  so with her very own bubbles running she adjusted the temp to be just right for her, adding more hot water as her desires dictated.  i used my favorite mint and rosemary shampoo and my richest body scrubs and washes.  and she closed her eyes and just relaxed.  i warmed a towel in the dryer to wrap her in when she was done. after drying her off i paid special attention to the eczema on her hands, rubbing the ointment in and massaging her hands. we dried her hair, putting special product in and then we did a mani/pedi complete with fire engine red polish and glitter top coat.

mother to daughter, heart to heart, we slowed it down and took the time to just give.

motherhood is often a thankless job, sometimes it seems that our work is only noticed when it isn't completed. but we continue on, building our happy little castles, wiping bums, preparing food, reading books, doing dishes and laundry, rejoicing in the tiny miracles that light our way. i'm continually reminded that these children are only mine for a tiny season, they have minds and wills of their own, and they will move beyond me to become amazing, driven, successful adults.  as a mother, my goal is to cultivate a happy, safe, and loving place for them to grow and learn; that they might remember their childhood with happiness and joy.

in the christmas spirit i was contemplating the life of christ. in the moments before he suffered the atonement he took his disciples one by one and washed their feet.  as if the hours, the miracles, the gifts he gave throughout his life weren't enough... he took them one by one and washed their feet. he showed them love: person to person, heart to heart, he slowed down and took the time to just give.

what can you do, today, to slow down and just give? 

how do YOU move beyond presents and give true gifts?