Finding the significant everyday...

My aunt is a generally great person and a wonderful writer. A friend of mine loves her (Woohoo! was the email I received when she got to meet her) and once told me it was in part because she finds something to write about every day, an inspiration for my friend. I thought of this today because I've been itching to write, but have been waiting for something to happen "worth" writing about. I realized that my aunt, whose children are long gone, already knows something that I am just learning, that it's often the small events in life that are the most significant.

I haven't in the last month had any earth-shattering moments, my days follow each other in a set pattern that wouldn't keep even the most dedicated reader awake. Yet, every day small things happen that I might not even realize I was missing if I was at work but which make a memory I will treasure when I am older or create a connection with my kids that they will remember in years to come.

Lazy summer days at the pool are a gift that should not be underestimated. Playing endless rounds of jump in the pool with TR, seeing the increasing confidence with which CJ paddles around the shallow end and watching AJ take the first steps towards independence from mom with his own friends and activities, are all amazing opportunities. It was at the pool this week that CJ and I talked about marriage, and he declared that "Me and AJ are not going to get married. I mean, come on, we're boys, we don't even like girls." It was also there I got to see AJ proudly pull out his own dollar, from his allowance, to pay for ice cream rather than getting one from me.

TR's nap is another important time each day. Putting him down is one of the few points in the day when I am able to focus exclusively on him and there has evolved a rather elaborate set of routines in his mind. Much of the now limited snuggle time I get these days occurs then, which makes me happy, and he is able to choose the books himself rather than sharing with older brothers. Once he is down, the older boys are able to move at their level. I've introduced them to the wonders of Narnia and today we had a fairly involved conversation about heaven and death while drawing pictures for friends whose grandfather passed away.

My favorite moment this week did not involve me at all. Having sent the boys outside to play (and give myself some breathing room), I looked out the window and saw them sitting in a circle. They had collected stones and were sitting around a "campfire" talking. They were up and moving around in a few minutes, but the sight of three little boys hanging out and enjoying each other so naturally is one that will stay with me forever.

I am not a natural stay-at-home mom and at least once a day find myself wistfully thinking of what I could be doing in the "real world." Just as often, however, I realize how lucky I am to be able to share in the small events that together will become the most significant part of my childrens' lives.