wednesday night delight

when J initially told me that he was thinking about teaching an Awana class at our church on Wednesday nights, and bringing Peach along to participate in the cubbies (preschool) program, i was NOT in favor of the idea.

i'm pretty protective of our time at home.

i think it's because i know that the day is coming when our schedules will be packed with sports, band lessons, plays, musicals and all other manner of organized activities.

and this window of time when our littles are happiest just being at home is so precious to me...

but, i have to admit that J was right on this one.

he convinced me that it would be good for Peach and that i'd enjoy the extra time with Tulip.

that ended up being the understatement of the year....

i didn't think about it while i was whining and complaining that our wednesday nights would be occupied by something other than family time.

but, i have never had regular time alone with Tulip.

sure, i get little snippets here and there.

but, she's never really had my undivided attention.

Peach had J and I all to herself the first 2 and a half years of her little life

i look back on that time and realize how unique it was to be able to hold her whenever i wanted...

to be able to say "yes" to every whim that came our way.

Tulip never had that...

until our Wednesday night date night ensued.

now, we get a few hours, every week when it is just us.

and i'm trying to be really intentional about noticing her during that time...studying her....fighting the urge to get things done and just enjoying this sweet time.

because come May, we're gonna' have to share this time with the new baby.

but for right now, i'm loving Wednesday nights...

the way she gets all excited when she sees the moon from our deck window...

how she says "cozy" when she wants to watch a movie or read a book while wrapped in a blanket on the couch...

singing songs together in the car...

listening to her tell me all about her day in babble that i only catch bits and pieces of...

the way she does the splits and wants me to join her - yeah right!...

her fresh from the bathtub scent...

sharing snacks...

i really wanted to take her for ice cream last night.

but, we got all bundled up only to find out that our favorite ice cream shop closed at 4 pm...

drove down main street a bit further to find that another coffee shop that we love closes at 5...shoot!

so, we settled for a cookie at the grocery store on the other end of town.  she didn't seem disappointed. :)

we had the best time, just sitting in a booth, coloring, munching our cookies and sipping this yumm-o tea from a straw.  we were only there for a half hour, but you would have thought i took this kid to Disney Land - she was so happy to just be with me.

hope i never forget how awesome it feels to be loved like that.

coming home made the night even better.

because the best part of my Wednesday is always bed time.  J and Peach get home late on wednesdays, so Tulip and I just take our time.  we read at least dozen books, instead of the usual three or four.

we snuggle in the rocking chair, both wiggling to find that just right place around my bulging belly where we're both comfortable.

i shine her nightlight stars up on the ceiling and we look for the moon.  sing some more songs.

pray. hum.  and i let her fall asleep right there with me.

no other night of the week do i indulge in such sweet, slow rocking, stroking her hair, scratching her back, letting her drift off in my arms.

after she's safely tucked into bed, i usually have a little time to get some things done around the house before Peach and J come bursting through the doors, full of stories about all the fun they had at Awana.  it's a win/win situation to say the least.

this wednesday night gig is one of those things i would have never asked for.  just one of many reasons i'm so grateful that the Lord (and my husband) know the desires of my heart even when i don't.  :)