Highs and Lows

One of the things I miss the most about being at home is the time I spend with each of the kids as I tell them goodnight. I love those moments and I would have to say it is the "high" of my day. Just listening to them talk brings me a joy inside of my heart. It is in those few moments each night that I feel like we are really connecting. As I lay next to each of them on their beds I find myself surrounded by the things that define who they are. In Blake's room everywhere I look I see his "dream". Its a big dream and we love to lay and talk about it together. "Mom, what if when I get to practice tomorrow Pudge is there and he is going to help coach our team? What if mom? It could happen you know. It really could." "Blake, when you go pro just remember who took you to practice for all those years. Remember who made sure your uniforms were ready and your equipment was loaded. Remember Blake, OK." As I lay next to Allie I find myself surrounded by the things she loves so much. Her original paintings, her beloved rock collection, her cheer leading uniforms, a vase of fresh flowers she has so beautifully arranged(she wants to be a florist when she grows up). She is just so talented and so beautiful. Our conversations can be about anything but they always end with this statement, "You know your my best friend Al." "Your mine too mommy". How I love this little girl. Sometimes our goodnights may be as brief as 5 minutes, but other nights it may last for an hour. It just depends on what they have on their hearts and how much they are willing to share. Many nights the flood gates have opened and they begin to share burdens they have carried around for days. At the conclusion of our goodnight talks we pray together and I tuck them in "like a burrito"(the phrase Al coined when she was only 2) and then I tell them how very much I love them before I turn out the lights and close their doors. Other nights it becomes an all out tickling match and we giggle until we can no longer breathe. Nothing too deep or too heavy just a great way to end the day. No matter the duration or the content of our goodnight moments I always find myself walking away from their doors with a smile on my face and thanksgiving in my heart for being allowed to know these wonderful little people.

Dave has his own goodnight moments with each of the children. I really have no idea what they talk about. Its private. Just between them and their dad. Every once in a while he may come to our room and share a little of it with me. As he walks out of their rooms he asks them one question. Its been the same for as long as I can remember. "Whats the most important thing?" They answer, "Loving God.". He taught them this when they were just babies. Blake used to answer, "Wuuving God." My goodness where does the time go? Now my Blake dreams of baseball contracts and gland slams. Tarheel championships and college scholarships. My Allie still not sure she even wants to get married because there is no way she is ever going to kiss a boy, dreams of adopting babies just like Ashley.

Tonight I asked each of them what their highs and lows for today were and this is what they said:

Allies: The high for her was going to putt putt with a friend. The low was having to eat at Red Lobster(she and I hate sea food!)

Blakes: He didn't really have a high or low for today. It was all great! Yesterday his high was knowing it was only one more day until baseball practice. His low was having to open his eyes, take a shower, and put in his contacts knowing he wouldn't get to close them again until late that night. I love this kid!

Davids: The high for him was waking up knowing he had a wife, 2 beautiful daughters, and a wonderful son. The low was the separation from the 2 of us that now live in Omaha.

Mine: The high for me was rocking this bundle of baby girl that has been given to me. The low was missing the other two that I am lucky enough to call mine.


Today Ash and I have spent the whole day sleeping. Tonight I will spend the whole night running back and forth through the halls doing her laundry. She has not yet bounced back from yesterdays events and has struggled between her naps. She is feeling especially cuddly tonight and I do love to rock her so I plan on staying awake and just enjoying the feeling of her tiny self cuddle up next to my heart. Tonight I am realizing just what a lucky girl I am. I am blessed. I am loved. I am missed. I look forward to the days when we all reside under the same roof again and I can pick back up where I left off with our goodnight moments. Thanks for checking in our baby "gherkin". Your prayers are so appreciated. Good night. Trish