My World of Wonder/Day 3

• Didn't sleep well.
  
• Woke up at 0500.
  
• Left for work 0618.
  
• Punched in for work 0658.
  
• 0700 – 1930 worked with a couple of phone calls from Gordon and an actual lunch break.
  
• Arrived home from work 2015.
  

What's missing from this list?

• Hugs
  
• Kisses
  
• Snuggling
  
• Laughing
  
• Talking
  

For many years, 15 to be exact, I was a stay-at-home-mom. I longed for the days of less fighting and a quiet home. Tonight is one of those nights I longed for. While talking with Gordon, on my way home from work, Gordon went down the list of where the kids were: "Kelsey's at Cheer, Hailey's at Youth Conference and Shane is at Raging Waters." As Gordon shared this with me, sadness filled my heart. The years that I had once longed for are coming to pass. With Brendon serving in Oregon, and the kids busier with their activities there is less fighting and it is quieter, but I am seeing how much I want all of my children home making noise.

As I left for work this morning, they were all sleeping. Coming home to an empty house I was sad that no one was running to give me a hug or kiss, or begging for my undivided attention. The years I longed for are coming, but not with the expectations I had at one time. These years need to be cherished more now than ever. The years of everyone wanting "mommy" are still there, just not the same way and as I have taken over a different role, that role has made me look differently at what I once had and how lucky I am to have children who fight and quarrel, yell, scream, make noise, hug, kiss, snuggle, laugh and talk with me. Although the house was quiet and still this morning I sure do miss the hugs and kisses that come with the noise.