TGIF

so this morning when i dropped brody off at school, i was late as always...but something prompted me to get allllll the papers out of his cubby-hole. when i got in the car, a thin, white sheet of paper dropped out and caught my attention. the top of it read "Port Aransas Youth Soccer League".  at first i started to cry---is my child really big enough to play a sport? to be on a team? to have practice? and games? Then i had a vision of him in little black windshorts, with tall socks and a jersey with a number on it. HOW CUTE, i thought! Then i had another vision--this time of that jersey falling into the grass and another kid (probably a Moss girl--haha jeff) running up and mistaking his head for the soccer ball and kicking it with all her might! YIKES! that brought a smile to my face for some odd reason and i realized: i need to sign him up and make sure my camera battery is fully charged!
but seriously--the time flies by and sometimes i feel completely left in the dust.

when did my baby learn compassion?
i say my stomach hurts...
he says "oh momma, i will rub you and make you feel better. lay down and i will rub you."

when did my baby learn sarcasm?
i say look at those clouds!
he says "oh ya that weather is reeeeal nice, huh momma?" 

when did brody learn manipulation?
i say NO.
he says "but i love you momma!"

with kids and dogs and chores and jobs...it can be easy to forget to stop and smell the sweet smell of toddler sweat, and enjoy the rowdy whackiness of a kid learning to jump off the couch, and it's even easier to forget how one year ago, i was desperate to teach him to say "i love you".

and it is the same with Sean and Emma (my step kids-for lack of a better term). two days ago i walked in the door from work and Emma, who's 6 (we have them every other night)...ran up to me and said "I MISSED YOU! Can we watch a Jesus movie!" i was floored! when did Emma start missing me? when did she start craving Jesus! I practically danced right there in the foyer! i have spent a year trying to get closer and closer to these kids and praying for a place in their heart....and it happened!! and i think i missed it!!
but...OH...i am so glad. and i am so glad that Brody is growing up on schedule.
i just need to slooooooow down...and pay attention. because my life is unfolding in the best way possible.
and to steal a quote my good friend jeff moss:
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
--Dr. Seuss