Shifting Seasons of Thanks

My family gave me just about the perfect Mother's Day.  These four people I live with are kind, considerate, loving, and really know how to make a Mommy feel loved and special.  They really, truly are happy to celebrate someone else.  Among many things, I love that about them.

After sleeping in and having breakfast, Brad and I left for our LAST long run before the big event.  I was so excited to only do 8 miles, and ready to get it out of the way so I could get on with the relaxing part of the day.  When we came back in the door, this is what I saw:

Sweetness.

When my kids were really young, I would imagine this season that we are in and it always made me a little sad.  I thought the fun would somehow be over when we got here.  I thought I would somehow not feel the same closeness.  I thought that I would be sad at the thought of them being so close to heading into their new season.  Now we are "there".  And it is nothing like I thought it would be.  I love this season.  I love the shifting of relationships that age brings.  I love seeing who my kids are becoming.  I love seeing glimpses of who they are going to be in adulthood.  They are fun, loving, and strong people.  And I have nothing but excitement at this point about their next seasons.  So much potential.  So many open doors in front of them!  Love that.  I love them.  They make being a mom such an adventure.  Never boring.  Just when I think I have this mothering thing figured out, they shift and tweak and require me to shift and tweak.  And I'd have it no other way.



So much thanks to give...

352.  motherhood
353.  appreciation
354.  a day of no cooking
355.  sweet words written
356.  laughing together
357.  love returned
358.  happy hearts
359.  a husband who knows how to make me feel special
360.  a husband who models that for his kids
361.  kids who follow that lead
362.  new seasons
363.  finishing a long training program
364.  passing a friend on the sidewalk, me a mile in, her a mile to go, and exchanging a high five and celebratory hug:  cheers to the last long run!
365.  new recipes
366.  pretty dishes
367.  big, puffy, layered clouds
368.  rain that stops just in time
369.  a light week of running
370.  carbs!