“It was a rough day. By mid-afternoon, I was at the end of my rope, slumped at the top of the stairs frustrated that my boys, then 3-1/2, were not listening to me. I let out a ‘God, help me!’ My boys immediately got busy, one going into my bedroom and another going into theirs. Athan brought a rosary from my nightstand, announcing, ‘Here’s God, Mommy, here’s God.’ Matthias, holding a small crucifix in his hand, declared, ‘I found God for you!’We just huddled together for a while, crying and laughing all at once.”

-Christine Hong, 37, mom to Athan and Matthias, both 7, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

 

“Cuddling with sleepy

children and watching them drift off to sleep, so content just to be with you.”

- Jean Kim, 36, mom to Joshua, 7, Nathan, 6, and Alyssa, 3, San Diego, Calif.

 

“When all four of my kids are gathered together in the tub for their evening bath. It’s just so endearing to see all my brood in one place, with shampoo in their hair and soap in their eyes, getting me wet while they have fun.”

- Jeanie Chang, 34, mom to Melodie, 7, Ian, 6, Skyler, 4, and Asher, 16 months, Raleigh, N.C.

 

“My heart swells when I watch my children try something

new. Even when they don’t succeed on the first try, they just don’t give up. They’ll dust themselves off, put on their ‘mad’ face and do it again until they’re satisfied with the result.”

- Eun-Hye Emilie Park, 34, mom to Jacob, 6, Madison, 4, and Lucas, 17 months, Kingsport, Tenn.