Thankful Thursday

This week my niece is starting middle school, the niece that I held within her first hour of life, that I rocked, that I played with as a toddler and that I loved watching grow through each new stage. I find myself wondering how is it already time for her to be an almost teenager? Also this week several of my friends/co-workers sent their babies off to their first days of school. I knew 3 of these friends/co-workers before they were mamas, I remember when their sweet babies were born and I really can't believe its already time for them to go off to school. I too often forget to appreciate this time that is so special where we basically get to keep Ava to ourselves. In a few years we will start to share her more and more with the world but for now she's all ours. So as I rocked her before bed tonight I reflected on my gratitude for this time and I tried take in the moment, the just right weight of her curved body against mine, her sweet head resting on me, her eyes looking into mine that begin to blink slower as she grew sleepier in my arms. When I take time to slow down and be still I find there is so much to be thankful for each of these precious days.