Beautiful Moments

It's 3:45 in the morning, and I can't sleep.  Of course the only logical thing is to write a blog post, right? The reason I can't sleep is because Nicholas starts kindergarten in the morning, and I've been tossing and turning all night long!  I can't believe it...I swear he was just a baby yesterday.

I've actually been thinking about this post for a while.  My kids are growing up so quickly, and as much as I would like to just keep them little, I can't help but just feel such a surge of joy as I see how they are growing and learning and how excited they are for each new thing.

A while ago, I found myself getting caught up in the monotony of life.  Then one evening, I sat watching my kids playing in the sprinkler, churning up some mud and feeling the need to paint each other with it.  Something struck me, though.  It was kind of like a moment stopped in time, and all I saw was a beautiful scene, with my kids laughing, splashing, emanating pure joy.  The sun was in the early stages of setting, and all I could think was, "gosh, what a beautiful scene."

I started looking for more of those beautiful moments in life.  And I see them everywhere, especially in my children's faces.  The late-night cuddling with Seth while he's teething and just wants comfort.  Watching Nicholas's face light up as he figures out how to spell a new word.  Hearing Renae say to me, "you're my girl, Mommy, and I will always love you."

Each of these things happens in a moment.  I've been looking, and finding (!), more and more of these moments every day.  They take my breath away... and leave me with nothing but sweet gratitude.

I love my life.