5 more minutes

A Saturday morning. One of my kiddos heads off to a volleyball tournament, the other is off to PE, surfing at the beach. I know.

What makes me laugh this morning is the joy of those three words: five more minutes. Teenagers, living to live and needing a few more minutes of sleep is just the reality.

But being the dependable one who can give that 5 minute respite? I'm there. It's good to have this job.

Oh wait...I have to go. 5 minutes are up!

A moment of realizing.

We were simply sitting on the deck at Joan and Ed's enjoying our New Year's Brunch. 

The conversation, the food and the gorgeous California canyon Sunday was just perfect and wonderful. As was the company of these three little families who've been growing a friendship with great intent for fifteen or so years. 

And suddenly in the calm of the whir of enjoyment, I was arrested by the absolute beauty of the child sitting across from me. The sight stopped my musings and gave me pause -- and a small gift.

It was a stunning realization. These kiddos we trap in our mind at different ages and moments are so far from the little ones we carried in Bjorns and carted everywhere on Group adventures.

They've moved into a launch space. On that bridge we have to walk them across, sometimes close behind, sometimes right next to and then, too, at a painful and encouraging distance. This one, this child, not my own, but of my heart and woven into the fabric of my life and the lives of my family, made me see. These beautiful, talented, interesting and interested people are moving quickly into their own.

And there really is not so much else to say.

The most beautiful girl in the world.

My daughter has been on a double overnight with her good friend.

She's away and having fun, as it should be.

I am missing her sparkle and spark.

Ah, absence and the heart.

Fondness.

And the joys of anticipating reunion.

Now I know how my mom felt

These toes need a big bucket of water.
Yesterday, we went shopping for the Christmas Program outfit.

How many levels does Forever 21 have, I ask? Up the escalator and then back down we went, in search of a simple Christmas dress. Then, off to the rest of the mall because there wasn't a simple or darling outfit in the place. It had to be one or the other.
So we kept going.

With great wisdom, we stopped at the Nordstrom Cafe for a Caesar salad, a Coke and a chat.

All in all, a good day. With great success.
We ended up with a cute dress and and a pretty shrug.

Now the concert will be perfect.