Life Lately

I think back to my Dad's toast at our wedding almost ten years ago when he spoke about how Gregg and I always noticed the little things.  He spoke about how we would pull over on the side of the road to take a picture because the fall colors were so magnificent, or notice a Great Blue Heron fishing off the dock in the morning.  He spoke about little things being instinctual for me.  I remember babysitting for the greatest family and their little boy.  Johnny would stop on a walk into town just to notice the ants in the sidewalk cracks.  I told Gregg numerous time "I pray we have children just like that, that our children notice the little things".  Life happened, and it was our chance with our two boys to slow down and notice the birds, to actually listen to a stranger's response when one of us asked them how their day was, or snuggling on the top bunk with Reece talking about his excitement for passing his multiplication facts.  I found myself treasuring the moments when Reece would holler from the back seat "Mom pull over, I think I see...." As life got hard as it often has I would stepped back and focused on those little moments.

Well it has been since January that I have blogged because yes life has been hard, incredibly busy with so much focus on a few very big things - my graduation, and finishing student teaching.  Without getting into every detail, I often would find myself lost in the intensity and stress and pressure.  On my fifteen minute drive to or from school I would remind myself that April 26 would be here soon.  However, as soon as I walked in the door after not seeing the kids since the night before, my instinct kicked in and the focus shifted from the one big goal to it being only about those little things - a quick hug before bed, reading with Reece, giving the boys a bath, coming home to Gregg preparing dinner, or the chance to catch up with a friend.

Two in a half years ago I prided myself in enjoying the small moments, taking advantage of time especially with the boys.  However, these past five months lead me to realize that I had no idea what enjoying a small moment really meant.  

A lot has happened since January and I am grabbing tight onto little moments like these when I the big things blind me...

fresh showered faces...

teething drool...

that smile...

a night out...

finding the perfect home improvement....

 the ultimate taste of sweetness...

day lights savings which means time for some after school catch...

watching Graham reachhhhh to do just what his big brother is doing...

and waiting for this moment since fall...

So while April 26 is around the corner and I know that the big moment of graduation will change so much for me, YET I hope I will only continue to realize that it has been every little step along the way which has really changed the most not just for me but for my family!!

I have missed sharing our families adventures and hope to be able to update more regularly soon