Peaceful Noise

I am a mom of five.

My house is rarely quiet.

My children make noise from sun-up to sun-down. 

Between my baby's babbles, my 16 year old's deep conversations, and the other 3's seemingly constant requests there is someone always wanting my time and attention. 

But if you sit and listen.

Amongst the surface chaos you will find these moments of peace. 

Peaceful noise. 

When the squabbling stops and the encouragement begins.

When they become each other's biggest fans.

Their best advocates. 

And their greatest defenders. 

When one of the siblings puts their Legos down, sets their football aside, or puts a bookmark in their latest read to make the baby giggle and feel loved in a way only a big brother or sister can. 

When you can hear your little one practice their new found skill of reading - you just can't help to beam with pride as you know they have just opened the door to a whole new world. 

When you can hear them talk through a math problem they just did in their head. 

When they talk amongst themselves about how great basketball practice went and how they can't wait until the games on Saturday. 

When that favorite song comes on and they randomly break out into a dance party showing off their latest moves. 

When one of your children offers to pray for you out of the blue and you listen to their sweet conversation with the Lord.

These noises become my treasures. 

I do my best to memorize them. 

Record the sound of their little voices in my heart. 

Their laughter. 

The pitter patter of their little feet across the wood floors.

For sooner than I am ready for my home will start to get a bit quieter until one day it will be silent and I will long for the moments of peaceful noise.