Hugs & Bike rides

My little people are growing up too fast.

Megan has grown 2 feet in the last month—okay not really.  She is not a little girl anymore.   She is learning to be a lady & loves doing girly things.  Like take a sewing class & make a new pillowcase!

She’s been a little lost today.  I could see it in her wandering around the house.  I gave everyone another day completely off school so I could do some planning & projects around here.  But she just wasn’t sure what to do with that time. 

Tonight while Dad & the other kids helped a neighbor with his fence she & I loaded our bikes up.  We made a short drive to a park for a 30 minute ride.  I REALLY needed the time outside exercising & it was good to spend time together laughing & racing. 

We kind of felt like a team since we both just got new bikes.  She has a nice light blue & I got this purple!  They were on sale at Target last week & I couldn’t resist.  On her old bike she was hitting her knees on the handle bars!  Mine has had some mechanical issues so it was time for an upgrade!

When we got back to the Suburban, I got a hug & a “Thanks Mommy.  That was fun.”  The twinkle in the eye was back and she was more peaceful.  I think this little girl is going to need individual mom time as she navigates these teen years.

We got home right at bed time. . .I love long summer evenings.  Everyone went to bed easily.  I was in the kitchen thinking about our bike ride when I heard Joshua talking with his dad who had gone to give bedtime kisses.  Steve was in the doorway & Joshua said “Dad can I have another hug?” 

This picture isn’t a huggy picture.  Joshua tends to be more wacky than that but he and his dad built this model and he loved the time & energy that Dad devoted to the project with him. 

We love our kids and try to show them daily.  That “one more hug” sort of stole the breath out of me.  How many one more hugs do I have with these guys? 

I am going to squeeze in as many as I can.  Joshua is such a sweet guy.  He loves to snuggle & hug.  I confess sometimes I get weary of it but I realize that is his way of saying “I love you.”  So I am going to love him back with his own method.

I am so grateful for the four kids that God has given me to parent, love & guide.  I want to go on many more bike rides & I don’t want to miss a single hug that has my name on it.