the sweet spot

(written back in September.....)

I am not sure I should even write about this for fear of cursing myself, but that is silly really because I know we are in a spot that will shift and change. I want to recognize this spot though because it's incredibly sweet, the merging of so much growth and change into a time where we are all feeling pretty damn awesome and happy. Everything isn't perfect, it never will be, but our place, our sense of who we are, our purpose all feels so solid right now. And believe me I appreciate this so much and feel so fortunate, so full of gratitude and joy. Tonight while we cleaned up from dinner the kids, all three of them, played peacefully in the living room. Addy encouraged Elliott. She listened to his ideas and cheered him on or incorporated them into her play. She offered to teach him how to do something. She used her words to clarify something when a conflict was potentially brewing. Elliott talked things out, felt excited, and included, and therefore didn't feel like he had to sabotage and get attention in an unproductive way. Rose just peacefully sat right next to her siblings happily placing stickers all over her body. It's these interactions that have been so amazing lately. We are coming off of a time where conflicts were aplenty so I really appreciate this shift right now, this growth in both of them! There's lots of love around here and I can see it in how they play even when they are so frustrated with each other. And the manners, my goodness. It gives me such hope. This sweet spot just fills me up and that will be the reserve I have for the hard days, moments, months.