{Everyday Moments}

Last night I stayed up late, wayyyy too late blog reading and TV watching and editing pictures. 

I was not tired and I knew there was nothing to get up for today so I stayed up.

I think it was 1:30 before I headed upstairs. 

Close the windows, turn out the globe light, charge my laptop, open the curtains and look out front...

then up I go.

Sometimes I love being up extra late, knowing that once I get upstairs 

everyone will be sound asleep.

Totally quiet.

On the landing I step on a Lego. 

Again.

But it's okay, it's the last Lego I will step on today anyway.

When I get upstairs I see the ceramic jack-o-lantern that belonged to my dad's mom and

 I leave it on because  I love the light glow it leaves in the hallway.

I check on the kids, both fast asleep.

Wyatt with his bear Petey and his Sponge Bob night light going, windows open.

Charlotte with too many dolls and stuffed animals to count.

In her doll bed next to her bed is her new Cinderella doll, covered up by a

 baby doll blanket her Granny made her for her Birthday. 

Everyone is tucked in.

Asleep now for hours.

One of my favorite times of the night is when they are sleeping soundly, perfectly 

quiet and I can sneak in and watch them for a minute or two.

I walk into my room, walk around to my side of the bed and see

 the rose Wyatt cut for me earlier today.

That afternoon he headed out the front door with scissors, came back with one

 perfect pink rose, went to the kitchen, got a tiny bottle and filled it with water. 

He took it upstairs and put it on my dresser.

When I told him thank you he said he had been 

"keeping his eye on that one and it was perfect now".

I moved it to my bedside table so I could smell it while I was in bed.

No sooner did I lay down and get comfortable then I heard Charlotte's door opening, 

she was headed to the bathroom.

I heard a little whimper from her and instead of cringing at the sound of her door, 

or even cussing under my breath, I got up and went to the bathroom.

My kids don't need me in the night anymore, we rarely hear from them,
and on this particular night I actually welcomed it.
Although, as it turns out, she really didn't need me. 

I picked her up and carried her back to bed, still half asleep anyway.

I got back in bed, windows open and a nice little breeze coming in...wide awake.

I thought about what a great weekend we had celebrating the kids' birthdays with family and friends, how my house still needed cleaned so badly
 and how I had a list a mile long of things I needed to do
 BUT what a lazy relaxing day it was at home with my family
 and how I just love days like that.

Then I thought of the news that a little girl, who just started kindergarten,
just like my little boy, had recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.

Excited to start kindergarten...and then that news.

How that mom is longing for days filled with the monotonous, 

often irritating,  everyday moments.

Where your biggest worry is your messy house, your laundry, your child waking you up
in the night to use the bathroom, finding Lego's all over the house, dishes and
 meals no one likes and breaking up countless fights.  

I laid there and said a silent thank you.

Thank you for letting me be the mother to these kids.

To see them sleeping peacefully, to have a house to close up at night, 

with a rose on my bedside table from my sweet, healthy little boy.

Thank you for the piles of laundry waiting for me, the calls I need to make begging

 for volunteers for the kindergarten tea party this week, 

for the 100 Lego's I will step on tomorrow.
For the good and the bad, I'll take all of it.

Unfortunately sometimes it does take another person's 

devastating news to remember just how lucky we really are

and how grateful I truly am for these everyday moments.

****
And now we're off to celebrate Eric's grandpa's 95th Birthday!
Linking up with Heather's Life Made Lovely today.
Because sometimes recognizing the loveliness is half the battle.