The Sweetest Things

Every day when I pick Bradley up from school, he has plenty to say. 

He talks a mile a minute and tells me what he did that day, who chased him on the playground, how many bites of his sandwich he ate, and nice things his teacher said to him...all in a matter of about 47 seconds. 

I have fine tuned my listening skills to lasso key words to get the general idea of how his day was. Yesterday, I had plenty on my mind and Christmas music blaring. I heard him say the words, "Idea at lunch, box, sticks, glue, and 'ate everything but two carrots'".  

When we got home, I began prepping the beef stew and rolls that we were going to have for dinner. Bradley was rushing back and forth...bouncing between inside and outside. I overheard Karah ask him if she could help. I assumed they were making  something for their Christmas play they have been working on every day after school. 

 I took a break to play with Bryce at the kitchen table with some Play dough. I had my back to Karah and Bradley as they were working around the kitchen island. I was focused intently on the hat I was making Bryce.

Nice, isn't it?

                  

The thought came to me that "this is what it's all about". It was one of those days where everyone was content...everyone was getting along...everyone was listening to Christmas Jazz...sipping their Sonic drinks...smelling the stew cooking, and all hanging out in the same room. It was one of those "perfect days" that roll around once in a blue moon. 

I was lost in the happiness of it all when my mind settled and their

 conversation "tuned in".

I heard them discussing designs and options, when it occurred to me what they were making. A manger.

Seriously? Could this moment get any better?

 I asked Bradley how he came up with his...and after enduring a frustrated eye roll of, "I already told you in the car"...he AGAIN expressed that he was sitting at lunch, thinking about Christmas, and decided he wanted to make a manger with Baby Jesus.

He already had planned out what he would use for materials. 

He had gone outside and picked twigs off a bush. 

He got my glue gun and a cardboard box.

And he went to work.

 Karah helped form a Baby Jesus out of play dough and helped Bradley with the star.

Stars are hard to draw.

It was finally finished and it was perfect. 

Perfect enough to make my heart and eyes swell up.

It was precious to me, that in the middle of lunch, with friends all around him, talking of recess, Legos, burps, and silliness...Bradley was sitting there with his mind on how he could better celebrate the birth of his Savior.

It touched my heart that Karah would set aside all of her favorite after school activities to join Bradley in creating something so beautiful for our family. She had the idea to place a small battery candle behind the manger...to keep  Baby Jesus warm.

I don't remember an afternoon more perfect than this one. 

My heart was brimming with joy as I sat with my cubs and we read stories 

until Tom got home from work. I was SO feeling it, that I even agreed 

to read "Skeleton Has the Hiccups"...my LEAST favorite book in the world to read. Somehow, it found it's way out of the Halloween box. 

I was so happy that even this obnoxious book was bearable.

Thank you Bradley and Karah for such a beautiful gift to our family....and thanks to Bryce for his other festive contributions. We will cherish these  forever...but even more...we will cherish the good children you are...the sweet hearts you have...and the joy you bring us...every day...even the "imperfect" ones.

 All i want is to develop a heart more like yours.

Thanks for helping me slow down...settle my mind...and enjoy the 
blessings you are to me.

I love you all.