take the time to be silly

Yesterday was that day! Yesterday was the day that I stopped and let all the other responsibilities and cares of the day just vanish. Before my boys headed off to school, I declared that last night was going to be silly hat night! We had never done anything like this before so the question out of their mouth was, "Are you serious?". Totally!! They had to come up with an idea, create their silly hat, while keeping it as much a secret as possible, and then wear it to dinner. When they realized that we were really doing this, the look on their faces was absolutely priceless!! While they were at school I ran all of my errands early so I could get home and work on my hat...see, it wasn't just the boys that had to creat a hat!! The whole time I was working on my silly hat, I was smiling. Smiling because I was remembering their reaction to the declaration, smiling because I was thinking about them making their hats, smiling because it was fun and smiling because I couldn't wait for my 2 joys to get home! All I could think about was spending this time being silly with them! All I wanted them to know last night, was that they are important to me. That being with them is fun and that this is home...a place of security, encouragement, laughter, fun and love! This is our home! As I worked with each of them on their hats, I looked at them with a new, found love. My boys are growing up right in front of my eyes and yesterday, I stopped. I looked. I admired. I listened. I watched in pure admiration of the young men my babies are becoming. I watched with tears as those boys sat in front of me creating something, so silly, and yet so important to them. I watched as they put their minds to work creating something that was unique to each of them...it was their own! When all the hats were completed, they were placed in their hiding places with gentle care until the big unveiling! It was FINALLY time for dinner and time to place our creations on our heads! The pure joy and excitement over this last minute declaration of silly hat night was something that I don't want to forget! We all went and got on our hats and came to the table...oh, I wish I could have captured that moment of pure happiness. That moment of not having a care in the world. That moment of my boys having fun and being silly! We enjoyed our night. We enjoyed watching each other try and keep our hats on our heads while we ate. We enjoyed watching all the glitter from Mama's hat fall in her food. We enjoyed being together and being silly!! Last night, the boys voted that this was to be a once a month activity. I know that this won't last forever, but I am going to cherish it forever!! Take time to be silly with your kids. Take time to make memories. Look at your kids like you have never looked at them before. Enjoy your kids...they won't be little forever.

Boys, I can't express enough how much I love you. I know that I am not perfect and that I mess up. I know that there are times when I nag or yell or complain. I know that there is always room for improvement! But what I want YOU to know, is that my love for the 2 of you is forever! You bring me so much joy! I'm so thankful that you are the precious gifts that God gave to me and your Daddy! I love you both so very much!