Kisses

Last night was pretty eventful for us. As Reagan was sitting on one couch reading to Mike, Dakota and I were sitting on another couch reading. I was working with Dakota on teaching her how to read... the sparkle in those big brown eyes was indescribable when she caught on to each word. Meanwhile, Reagan finishes reading and then Mike read to Oakley. All the while Jackson is crawling all around us. So I am so wrapped up with reading with Dakota that I am completely unaware of the little miracle happening right before me.

Mike looked at me and said, "Did you see that?" I didn't even know what he was talking about. Apparantly Jackson took eight steps AND I MISSED IT! How could that happen when I was sitting right there? I was excited anyway. And I got thinking... how much my children have grown. Here Reagan is reading to Mike, Dakota is learning to read with me, Oakley knows her letters and sounds, and now my baby is learning to walk. How precious time is. They are growing before my eyes and a lot of times it's like it was last night... right before my eyes and I miss out on it. It was a gentle reminder of how much I want to just enjoy my children.

I am going to enjoy this period of time when they are small and still think I am superwoman and I know anything about everything. When they have this perception that Daddy can fix or build anything. When they say the funniest things and act in the silliest ways. When they call me "fathead" or leave sweet little love notes. Sure it's a busy time and it can be downright stressful; but I am savoring this moment in time for I am beginning to realize how quickly this short time is slipping through my fingers.

I love being a mom... it is the greatest adventure of my life. What a blessing it is to have these darling little people in my life to teach me and love me unconditionally. I have learned so very much from them and I am positive I have much more to learn!

The icing on the cake for me last night was this. After I was contemplating it all I was going through the house preparing for bedtime. I was turning out lights, putting blankets away... and then I went to my shutters and closed them. Lo and behold, there were red kiss marks all over them that I couldn't see until they were closed. I just laughed and wondered who did it. I also wondered when it was done. Kids sure are tricky!