When I least expected it...

The Spirit of Christmas crept into my house today.  When I least expected it.  Nothing spectacular about the day.  Actually plans were cancelled and shopping trips cut short due to yucky colds and inclement weather.  Snow you say?  Not here.  Tornado warnings four days out from Christmas.  I must live in Texas.

Nonetheless, I found the beauty of today in the little moments.  Watching George try to teach Jack how to sword fight.  Seeing Jack climb all the way up the stairs by himself for the first time.  He was very pleased! Seeing John and George cuddled up in the recliner watching Star Wars.  Jack napping so peacefully even though he is sick.  Clara gobbling up three helpings of her dinner.  Hearing the kiddos excitement as we announced an impromptu drive around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights after dinner.  Clinking wine glasses with my husband while making New Years plans for our family.  Today I soaked it all in and felt the Spirit of Christmas fill up my soul, which to me there really is no better feeling. 

There is one part of my day that filled my mind as I put Jack to bed and started shutting down the house for the night.  It is a picture of Clara.  We spent a good amount of time together today Christmas crafting.  We sat together before lunch and made a Christmas tree, stocking, and snowman out of construction paper and glitter.  As we crafted we talked too and I was blown away by how big my little girl is.  I will forever have her four year old self etched in my mind from today.  I can see her sweet curls fall around her beautiful face as she ducked her head in concentration.  I can see those big honey colored eyes squint in determination to get things just right.  I can see her expressions turn from delight, to frustration, to amusement, to excitement, and back again.  I can see that small bit of glitter that somehow made it to the tip of her nose sparkle in the light.  I can hear her say "Fwosty" instead of  "Frosty" and know that soon I will miss those sweet mispronunciations.  I will always remember the conversation we had about her favorite friends in her class and how much fun she has with them.  I really saw her today.  Not in a fleeting glance as I cleared the dinner table or threw another load of laundry in or answered a phone call.  I stopped and I saw her.  And she is amazing and beautiful and mine.  I realized today that I need those moments just as much as she does.  

Today was one of those days that fills your heart so full that tears sting your eyes.  Today was one of those days that you are so incredibly thankful for your family and your blessings that it slightly overwhelms you. The moments of today are really the stuff of life.  And I am so thankful that I slowed down long enough today to let all of it creep in.

Merry Christmas.