Snuggling ....

Today is Monday (Labor Day) and the whole family is under one roof with NO scheduled activities ... I was awoken by gentle little fingers caressing my arm which had escaped my warm bed .... "Mommy, I-awake" said a soft little whisper .... I outstretched my arm and invited my little snuggle bug to climb into our bed. Kenna worked her way over me and under the blankets in between Tim and I.  "Mommy, will you snuggle me?" - I happily threw my arm over the top of her chest into a warm hug and we proceeded to rub our cheeks together ..... it was a good morning because Kenna was generous in dolling out kisses ....

From the safety and warmth of our covers, we could see that it was cloudy outside and hear the rain dripping in the downspout ... I took the snuggle time to study the muted light on her little face. Her cheeks looked of peaches and cream and her hair, slightly sweeping across her forehead, appeared a strawberry hue. I looked at my beautiful little girl and tried to capture this one moment in time - to engrain her innocence and youth in my memory - because one day, she will be big and won't want to snuggle in my bed, or intertwine her little fingers in mine while whispering about the rain outside.

Where is the 'pause' button' for this life?

First days of school ....

This past summer yielded many exhilarating and fun activities for our family. We went on a few camping trips - we went to Boca Resivor, Stampede Resivor and Salte Point - we bought a boat (and thus spent a fair amount of time on the lake and fishing at various locales).  Mason attended church camp and both kids took swim lessons.

 

  Mason and I were also fortunate enough to take in "The King and I" at the California Music Circus. We were in the front row and Mason was completely enthralled the entire show! 

Due to my work schedule, there were a few weeks that found us limited in our travels and adventures - so we tried to spend time on the river, riding bikes and getting things done around the house. The kids had a summer that was very busy and jam-packed full of activities.

Mason has been very busy with soccer practice and has joined a competitive competition karate team. The national competition is in Reno next year, so we signed him up for the team and we shall see if he is still interested in competing by the time the competition rolls around.

This past month, Mason started first grade and Makenna started preschool (gulp)! I can't believe we are already to the point in time where both kids are in school. Makenna is only going two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am - 12pm) and Mason is in school from 8:05am to 2:25pm.


I asked Margie the other day if it was wrong to feel slightly giddy and terrible all at the same time with both kids being in school ... I feel giddy because I am able to work out, grocery shop, clean house, do laundry, study, etc. while  Kenna is at preschool... and, at the same time, I feel terrible because it means the kids are growing and they are no longer small ....

At first I was pretty sad ... thinking there would no longer be mornings of lazing around in our PJ's until 10am, no more porch-rocking snuggling, no more waffle breakfasts and laughing around the kitchen table, etc .... but then, I realized that those times during the WEEK may no longer be here, but that there were plenty of days ahead of us where all of those wonderful activities could take place on weekends.

In fact, this morning (Saturday) Kenna felt compelled to stowaway in our bed. I melted a little when I

looked over to see her snuggling in the fluffy quilt - her teddy bear at her side. It is these moments that I will continue to treasure - even if they only happen on weekends when we are all home and are able to relax and sleep in ...

Honestly, I just have decided to grab hold of those moments, recognize them for what they are and never let go of those memories!!

Til next time -
J

a perfect morning ....

Mak and I were rocking out on the back porch this morning ... the birds were happily chirping away in the trees surrounding us and the sun was shining on her  hair ... each strand looked like a golden-red thread, with a little shine, as I twirled them through my fingers ... The air was a little brisk (since it is March, after all) so we were snuggled up tight, wrapped together in my big pink bathrobe.... she took this time to happily chatter a random story about kitties (since she was petting Bella) ...every so often, she would turn her head back to mine, to proffer up a big kiss and rub her cloud-soft cheek against mine .... my heart is happy in this moment, snuggled with my little kermuggin on the back porch...I hope to remember this moment forever ....

a long time gone ....

Wow, I can't believe it has almost been three years since I have shared anything! Much time has passed which has seen the kids growing at an unprecedented rate .... instead of trying to get back to blogging on a regular schedule (which is just not possible with the school and family schedule), I am just going to randomly log in to share poignant moments that I experience with my family.....

It became painfully obvious the other morning that the kids are growing entirely too fast. Mason has started school and Mak will be starting preschool in the Fall..... so, I am going to capture these little moments, so I am sure not to forget them as sometime in the future, I will not remember the little things said, the sly little looks, or the shenanigans had ......