Today I stopped and looked at my kids. Really looked at them.
Normally I read or bake or do housework. I'm busy with naps and carpool and stopping fights. But today, I stopped and looked at them.
G just lost his first tooth and has another one that is loose. Next month I take him in to register for Kindergarten.
And E continues to be our little firecracker. He came up with this little outfit the other day all on his own (Hawaiian shorts, too small basketball jersey and clip on tie). He then proceeded to pretend to play a guitar and be a rockstar. He counts to 10 and sings the ABC's as well as all sorts of other songs.
But Miss H shocks me most of all. She is growing up so fast, I feel like I blinked and here she is. She is standing up and cruising on all of the furniture. Today I noticed her watching me read and I put down my book and picked her up and held her. I stroked her hair and snuggled her soft squishy body. I tickled her soft cheek and kissed her face, and arms, and neck. She will never be this age again. Tomorrow she will be a day older and in a few months she will be a year. E will never be a rascally little 2 year old again and G will never be 5.
I thought of Elder Uchdorf's last conference talk where he suggested that we take some time to be quiet with ourselves and cultivate the relationships which matter MOST. I often fall prey to the desire for constant entertainment but today I recommitted myself to being quiet and appreciating the beauty of my children. It is often not as enticing as other things may seem--lunch with friends, being admired or respected, wearing nice clothes, having nice things--but when I allow myself those moments I am always overwhelmed at the miracle that my children are. And I am grateful.
