The Moment

It's midnight and I'm just sitting down at my computer with my decaf cup of coffee thinking through all the wonderful moments that we've been given! You, Sophia, only fell asleep fifteen minutes ago. Oh! Yes! Summertime is really here--------preschool is over, music lessons are finished, soccer has ended............and just today swim lessons concluded! The days of no schedules are here and our nap and bedtime routine schedules are fluctuating by the day, the moment........ Even the dinner table is still waiting for the maid to pick it up-------that would be me! A messy kitchen is never the norm at our house nor is such a late bedtime but Mommy had to run to Kroger immediately after our late dinner (after swim lessons) and Daddy had the duties of letting you get a quick bath, getting pajamas on and teeth brushed...........and a little i Pad time-------at fifteen til 10, I was putting up groceries and talking you through your last game or two......I think three! When we rounded up Daddy for hugs and kisses goodnight------and prayers, tickling and whispering games began in bed! I whispered what I bought at Kroger to you and you'd say, "Mommy what else did you buy?" I'd think of one more item and whisper it in your ear-----cucumbers and I'd pretend to peel you like a cucumber and slice you up for my salad! Well, that enlisted yet another request, "Mommy....buy?" After we covered the entire grocery list, I kissed you goodnight and began reading a blog on my phone-----thinking that with the lights out you too would be fast asleep! Ten o'clock brought eleven o'clock but you continued to play with your baby dolls in bed and sing and chatter away! I just listened and continued to read. Once you asked, "Mommy, are you reading?" I responded that I was and you carried on singing/saying, "Once upon a time five little monkeys........." You strung together favorite rhymes and books and played until you fell asleep a quarter before midnight! Another norm broken---------because it's summertime------a time to live in the moment-and squeeze the day! A time to thank God for glorious day together! Note though, Cinderella, that midnight won't always be your curfew and that you'll need to be tucked in tight to rest soon enough for additional schedules in our lives-------and routine seems to suit you best (based on my experiences with you---remind me to tell you about your four year old wellness visit with Dr. P & your swimming sessions time slot)! But tonight, I was reminded of living in the moment-----When Daddy came home from working out of town this week, he scooped you up in his arms and you said, "Daddy, I love you!" The smiles between you magnified that love! I left the kitchen for just a moment to find you both sitting at the kitchen table pretending to open gifts. Daddy would set one pretend gift on the table and tell you to open it! You'd pull off the ribbon, the tape, and tear open the present and ask Daddy what it was! Then, you'd tell him more about the gift. And you then say, " Daddy, give me another present!" Daddy would wrap up another and put it on the table (a crown, a diamond, a magic wand, etc.). You'd unwrap it and say, "It has sparkles on it!" or "Look at my sparkly princess dress!" After you opened all of your gifts, I asked you what was your favorite part? You answered, "My princess dress, my crown, my diamond, and my baby!" My favorite part was watching the game of pretend unfold because it's not about the tangible gifts we have in our lives but the gift of people in our lives----our time together is immeasurable! These are the moments Cinderella, the moments we have together! Which brings me to a song that I've heard many times but one that played once or twice on my way to pick you up from preschool this year. I printed out the lyrics on Feb. 27, 2012 and I can remember tears streaming down my face as I listened to each verse, "She spins and she sways to whatever song plays without a care in the world and I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders it's been a long day and there's still work to do she's pulling at me saying "Dad, I need you" There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?" so I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms 'cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone....She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed she wants to know if I approve of the dress she says Dad, the prom is just one week away and I need to practice my dancing oh, please, daddy, please? So I will dance with Cinderella while she's here in my arms 'cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone... she will be gone...well, she came home today with a ring on her hand just glowing and telling us all they had planned she says, dad, the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancing oh please daddy, please? oh I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms 'cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone..."

...........and the tears stream again just typing this song's lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman's album The Moment!

And oh...how those moments of time quickly slip through our fingers.......in less than twenty-four hours you'll be turning four!

I love you this much (<--------------------O----------------------->)!! Mommy's hands are stretched out showing you just how much I love you--------as you show me how much you love me! Or tonight how much you missed me when I went to Kroger...........and time got away from us but reminded me to live in this moment!