Loving kids

My daughter is so excited about Valentine's Day. She has been coloring and cutting hearts all week long. She's already given me many Valentine's Day. It's really cute. Each card reminds me how very much my daughter loves gifts: give her a new hairbow and she's delighted for days.

My boys are different. Nathan gets quite frustrated if I work on the computer while I talk with him. He can't stand it. I don't blame him. I don't like it either. Instead, he wants to know that he has my attention and am willing to set aside what I'm doing to focus on him. We travel well together - he talks and I really can't get too distracted by dishes, chores or the computer when I'm driving.

Ben is all about the hug. It's impossible to pass by him in the hall without a hug. He visibly wilts when the hugs don't come frequently enough. I have always known it, but when Rob was in Haiti, I was on high hug alert the whole time. He craves hugs.

Psalm 139:14-15 reminds us that each one specially made:

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful.

This Valentine's Day, I'm going to honor my kids for who they are. Since I'm not much into the trappings of Valentine's Day, this year I'm doing it differently. I plan to love them each the way God designed them - the way they were made to be loved.

I can't wait.