It's a rainy Saturday morning, I have Isabel cuddled up on my lap and Travis snuggled into my legs. We are watching some Wild Kratts while Peyton is sleeping in and Paul is working. Travis laid his head on my knees and I just ran my fingers through his hair. This moment is what powers me through the day.
Sometimes at night Travis will ask me to snuggle before bed. I know it's a stall tactic..and yet.. It's not. He actually does want me to cuddle next to him and scratch his back or just give him my undivided attention. He tells me all kinds of things in this twilight hour. In these moments there are no walls up. No guard to slip past. During the school year it was in one of these points in time that I found out Travis liked this girl and she liked him back.
I am not a demonstrative person. Paul's family are huggers. They hug you when you show up, they hug you when you leave. They hug to celebrate good news, they hug to comfort in bad news. It doesn't matter if they just saw you yesterday, you are getting a hug today. If you are feeling lonely just go spend some time with the Clarkes. They have made a hugger out of me.
I want to savor the time I have with each of my kids. I want them to know how much I love and support them. That they can always come to me and find a listening ear. I never want Travis to outgrow early morning cuddles. Peyton is such an affectionate kid, he runs up to me, throwing his arms around my neck and says, "Mommy!" Then he gives me little kisses. And Isabel.. Well this little sweetheart always wants to sit in my lap or be held in my arms. Right now she prefers me over anyone else. (Although her nana and her daddy are close seconds.)
Grab hold of your kids when they let you, never let go. Make them be the ones to pull back. Cuddle when they want to, take that extra time no matter how busy you think you are. Really listen to what they are saying because, even at 5, Peyton has worthy things to say.