Different Stages of Happy

It is 8:06 p.m. and I find myself lying on my back staring up at the ceiling listening to David's heavy sleepy breathing, Lucas trying to get comfortable to fall asleep, and Micah picking his fingernails trying to fight the sleep that awaits him. He is tired. We all are tired. The room is dark and I find myself thinking and stretching since I'm on the ground and my hip is out. I have amazing kids. They are funny. They are helpful and kind. They make me laugh and I find myself trying to make them laugh. To realize the little things in life are just that and to laugh about them. To shake it off is how the old adage goes in sports.
 
At 7:40 David comes to me and tells me he is ready to go to sleep. He wants to put all the stuffed animals in his bed and go to sleep. I am happy about his decision. He has been tired all day. I ask him to go wash the dirt and oreo cookie off his face and to wash his hands with soap and water. He runs off and comes back all clean and proud. I sit him down and help him with his pajamas. I notice his little feet are brown from running around outside barefoot. If you were a neighbor you would know that David doesn't wear shoes. He has the most shoes in our family. I'm not exaggerating either. I have bought him so many shoes hoping he will wear them. I think he finds shoes uncomfortable. He does love shoes until he puts them on. They might last 10 minutes on his feet.
 
As I am washing his feet with wipes I am reminded of our Savior and how He washed His disciples feet. Not that I am comparing myself to the Savior. No, just pondering how back in those days people had tough feet...kind of like David. And how being his mom is pretty amazing and that I don't mind washing his feet.
 
Jon is not home tonight so it is just me putting the kids to bed. It is a balancing act. I leave Micah and Lucas at the t.v. to finish their show. David and I go upstairs. Gracie follows a few moments later. David lays his head down on his pillow. I say a prayer and I turn the lights off in the room, but leave the hallway lights on. I lie down next to David's bed while Gracie is going through the desk drawers finding all sorts of fun things. I sing David his three songs. The same three songs since Christmas:  Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. He only wants Christmas songs at bedtime. I need to learn more Christmas songs.:) 
 
I kiss the top of his head. Tell him I need to go put Gracie to sleep and then I'll come back in to sleep with him because he always asks for me to sleep with him. I know that by the time I get back he will be fast asleep, but he wants the reassurance of me coming back. I'm fine with this. Because I know that when he turns 8 or 9 he won't ask.
 
As my oldest gets older I realize more and more how time does not stand still and moments come and go. And they were great moments and there continue to be great moments even when they do grow older. Just different but still amazing. I am finding joy with each of my children at their different ages. It is busy. But I find it rewarding. I love looking over at Lucas and sharing an inside joke or having a moment of laughs b/c something happens and the younger ones don't get it, but we do. It is fun to look over at him and we both laugh.
 
Then there is Micah.  It is fun to listen to his ideas and how he thinks. He loves to talk. He loves to tease and he loves to succeed. He wants to make sure I notice his success whether it is at school or on the soccer field. "Hey Mom, did you see that? or Hey Mom, did you read my homework/school papers?" I'm just happy that I am around to witness most of his accomplishments. He is full of joy and often I find he is in his own world. Which, I have to admit, is a pretty good world from listening to him and his make believe.
 
Then there is David who loves to just play. "Mom, can you play with me?" about a dozen times a day. Legos and super hero guys and army guys and hotwheels are his life. I just love sitting next to him on the floor and making sound effects and coming up with dialog as to what storm troopers say to jedis. He is pretty creative.
 
And then Gracie. She is our most curious baby. She is into everything. She is constantly going. I really thought when I had a girl she would just sit and read books. Not our Gracie. She has to be part of everything. She loves playing outside. She loves wearing every one's shoes all over the house. She can unlock and lock the dishwasher and start it. She loves hotwheels and seeing them race. She just belly laughs every time David races his cars. She loves the dog. She loves belly buttons. She is constantly moving and when you watch her walk she is almost always on the verge of running. She is fast. She loves to tease. She will put a rock or lego head or anything in her mouth and show me, and then run as fast as she can while laughing. She is a trip. She also loves my hair. If I am sitting on the floor she will just come stand behind me and pull on my pony tail and hold it. If I am sitting on the couch she will stand next to me and find my pony tail to hang on too. She really needs to grow her own pony tail:)
 
4 kids and 4 different stages of life. It is fun and enjoyable to be a part of each of their lives. I should say a 'blessing'. This is a long post. I guess that is what happens when one never sits down to write a thing or two. The thing or two become a bazillion things.