Working Late

Cleaning out my office and catching up my last week on the job. I walk in the house and all is quiet. It is way passed bedtimes and everyone is asleep. There is a half-way completed puzzle on the table and crumbs on Aaron's highchair tray that resemble what they had for dinner. The dinner dishes are sitting on the counter in the drying rack. My plate is covered sitting perfectly on the counter with a good-night note from Alisia. Lunches are packed.

I walk into each of the kids rooms to tell them good-night and begin to weep. I missed it. I missed hearing the tales of their day at school, missed Aaron's arms reaching for me, practicing Caleb's spelling words while quizzing Alisia for her Science test tomorrow. I missed all the chaos that comes with the evening routine. I missed cleaning up dishes, packing lunches, baths, pj's, and goodnight prayers. Caleb snores away as I rub his back and stare at his beautiful face. Alisia whispers "we prayed for you, Mommy. Can you make me some tea in the morning" as I hug her tightly. With tears still in my eyes, I realize Aaron isn't in his bed. I go to my room, and there he is, laying peacefully in my spot. As I pick him up, his little hands grab tightly around my neck. I want this moment to last forever. I gently kiss his forehead as I lay him down in his bed. He won't remember, but I will.  

I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier to have some extra time with my loves in the morning before it all starts again tomorrow.