3:00 - start tutoring sessions
3:15 - leave to pick up Harper
3:45-4:15 - wait at the bus stop for Warren's bus, which is supposed to arrive at 4:00 (with Harper in car seat)
4:15 - rush across the street to school when I see the bus pull into the school parking lot; leave Harper in the car, while I jump out to make sure the bus driver knows I'm there
4:20-4:45 - attempt to finish up work, while entertaining the boys in my office
4:45 - head to running club
5:15-6:00 - hung out with Harper and my friend, Jessica, while Warren and his friend, Jack, ran during running club
6:00 - dinner at McDonalds, with Jack and Jessica
7:00 (or whenever we made it home) - bath time
7:30 - breathing treatment for Harper
7:45 - story time
8:00 - bed time
Oh, and, did I mention that I woke up at 4:30 this morning to run the lake with my friend, Stephanie?
So, while that looks and sounds like all kinds of "les miserables"....it was anything but. I was reminded of how incredibly blessed I am to be the mommy of these two little boys. Instead of dreading having them at my work and thinking "How am I going to get anything done?"....I got to prance them around and show them off to my friends in my office. And they could not have been more perfect.
And in the car....they have both really gotten into pop songs. I will be the first to admit that I generally live in a happy little bubble. I normally listen to Joy FM...and only Joy FM. But, lately, I've been testing the waters with pop stations. And, I am happy to report that not only is my bubble expanding...the bubble my boys live in is expanding as well. We have our own little dance party in the car...and I like it....a lot! (Warren started riding the bus from his school to mine and, along with that, comes a lot of new experiences. I've realized that while I can't shield them from everything, I can talk to them about what they experience and teach them how to handle those things their eyes are opened to.)
And, at running club...instead of chasing Harper around, checking my clock and thinking "How much longer?"...Harper sat like an angel. And, when he wasn't sitting, he was being his adorable self and entertaining Jessica and me with his version of "Jesus Loves Me Grass."
And at McDonalds....I watched as they showed both of their very distinct personalities...in a good way. Little Harper is so friendly towards everyone. He is so simple and blind to differences. We could all learn something from his childlike innocence. And Warren....he is quiet, sensitive, but confident. While Harper is very social and goes with the crowd, Warren is a leader. He does what he knows is right.
And at home...as I tucked them in bed, I heard (as I do most nights) "Mommy, will you hang wif us?" And most nights, I'm sad to admit that Chris and I draw straws to see who has to 'hang.' (Aside from the fact that Chris wasn't home...) tonight was different. There was no place I wanted to be more than hanging with them. So, I laid down on the floor with my iPad, just like we do most nights. And in a few minutes, Warren climbed out of bed and snuggled beside me, on the floor with just a pillow and a blanket. Harper wasn't too far behind. So, there we lay. Just the three of us....snuggled close to one another, covered with blankets. And, just when I thought my night couldn't have been any better, Warren took his blanket off and covered me and said "Mommy, I just want to be kind and give things to people who don't have things." With that, he fell fast asleep.
Harper wasn't quite ready to sleep yet, so he and I went to the family room to rock for a bit. He settled down soon after and told me he was ready to go to bed. As I tucked him in and kissed him for the millionth time, he said "Mommy, Jesus is in my heart." And, as my old pastor and dear friend says "and that's the truth! Amen!"
