You're Gonna Miss This Moment

Goodness! There is so much I'm going to miss someday concerning my kids and our family. There are things they used to do that I miss even now. 

But the one I really want to talk about is this. On Christmas day as our overly excited children waited to open even their first present, my husband, Shawn, asked them to listen to something he wanted to share. I was sitting on the couch near him, not knowing what he was about to say, as he began to share this.

He said something like: Guys, these Christmases we have together are really special, with all of us together and opening presents while you are little. One day we won't be able to be all together in one place, so always remember these times. These Christmases together. And remember that the seven of us will always be together in our hearts at Christmas. 

Meanwhile, as he is saying this, I am grabbing the camera as my eyes well up, and tears begin to freely flow. I still snap the picture. I was practically bawling by the time he was done.  

As he was saying all of these beautiful words to remind us all of the reality, I thought, wow, I am gonna miss this. Going to church and hearing the Christmas story told, singing Christmas carols, going shopping to find just the right gift, opening the door to the postman to receive a gift that came from overseas, baking tons and tons of cookies to share with friends and neighbors, getting Christmas cards and letters, and decorating the house. There is so much excitement that comes with the celebration of Christ's birth in our home.

At breakfast that same morning, we had our children tell us the Christmas story from Luke in the Bible. They did a great job! 

This particular Christmas morning, one of our children woke up at 4:30am and could not get back to sleep for anything. Thankfully she was really quiet and didn't wake the others. The rest of the kids woke up around 5:30 and we told them the night before that we would be opening presents at 6:45am sharp. They did amazingly well keeping quiet while waiting with baited breath to see how they were blessed.

I am really going to miss Christmases with small children.   

To read more, "You're Gonna Miss This Moment" posts, go to Pam's blog. You'll be blessed.