This morning....

This morning Doug went to work early (like he was there at 5:00 am early ) so I woke the kiddos up. Doug usually does this while I fix breakfast, make coffee, etc. I had forgotten....I had forgotten how innocent an 11 year old boy looks while sleeping....how long his legs are as he's stretched out from one end of the bed to the other. I forgot how much he resembled that toddler I used to wake up for a morning of Barney and block play.....so I gently tickled his long legs and rubbed his feet until he woke up....I started his shower so the water would be warm....and I remembered what a blessing he is to me.

I went into Avery's room and saw only a sweet face tucked into lime green covers...surrounded by a dozen stuffed animals. I had forgotten how absolutely beautiful she looks when she's sleeping, so I laid down next to her, as close as I could, and stared at her face while breathing in her little girl breath. I rubbed her cheeks and brushed her hair back and she opened her eyes. She said "Mama, did you know that eagles can't bend their legs" then she showed me how the pull their legs up to their chest when they fly...ready to catch their prey. Was she dreaming of eagles or did she simply wake up with eagles on her mind....I had forgotten how sweet those first morning words were. I snuggled her awake and helped her gather the stuffed animals she was taking to school for the day...and I remembered what a blessing she is to me.

What a reminder this morning was....I hope I don't forget again....and that they are always here to help me remember.