Priceless

It has been a pretty amazing Thanksgiving week. We are so lucky to have been able to have so many members of our family here and enjoy our 80 degree holiday. Mom and Dad actually dared to have all of the grandchildren sleep over for two nights. The kids all said they had a great time. Of course, Kimball is now too old for little kid folly. It is becoming harder to entertain him these days. He is not bad by any definition, just growing up. In some ways it is amazing to see him changing into a young man, but in other ways, it is so very sad to see him grow out of the wonder of being little. I just tucked them all in for their last late night before Church tomorrow (changed to 11 a.m.---very grateful for that) and I walked back down the stairs to our beautiful little house, all clean because Larry has been busy. Everything smells like the chocolate chip cookies we made for our late night treat. The Christmas tree is up and lights the front living room. Everyone is sleeping. Well, almost...just as I wrote those words a little bird starting her chirping, no doubt woken up by the sound of Larry's snoring. She is quiet again and life is still. It is in these moments that I can stop and just smile at all the crazy wonderful things that happen all around me every day. Kierstin found out that she could roll from one end of the living room to the other today in the cutest little candy cane striped pajamas that Amber sent over. Kyra felt it necessary to help her from time to time. Atticus enjoyed being able to lick her hands at his own level. We all watched her figure it out and of course Larry and I remembered doing that with each of our other little monsters. That is the bittersweet part of them growing up...seeing them move toward something great means that they have to move away from something we cherish. It is all amazing, but I love the little days when a treat or a hug solves the problems of the world...now they are figuring out that we don't ACTUALLY know everything. We just guess most of the time. But it is worth every moment. So, for tonight, I am endlessly grateful for this priceless moment in my home...quiet, warm chocolate chip cookie, tree lit love. I know you will all mock my corny entry...but it's what I got at this hour. Happy Thanksgiving!