monday morning love

My alarm goes off... but I hit the snooze button. Or, did I turn it off completely? Even as I fall back asleep, I miss my husband and the way his back is so warm and how I fit so perfectly against it. But the sound of him showering as he gets ready for work lulls me softly, and in no time at all I am dreaming again, cozy in our bed and my purple flannel pj's. Soon I am awakened by a hand on my back and a kiss on the cheek. He leans down to hug me goodbye and I smell his cologne as I hold him close for a moment. "Have a good day, sweetie, and drive safely." One more kiss, and then he is gone. I hear the front door close and his truck start up, even as I drift back to sleep...

"Mommy. Mommy!" A quiet little voice from beside the bed awakes me again. "Can I cuddle with you?" I smile, because morning cuddles are my favorite. As I pull back the covers to allow Emma in beside me, a wave of colder air hits me. Quickly, I tuck us back in. Her small form is warm and soft, clad in her favorite ballerina footsie pajamas, and I pull her closely to me, wrapping my arm around her as I run my fingers through her long tousled hair on the pillow beside me. We doze, until another little voice is heard: "Mommy, I hungy, I want bek-fast." Raising myself on one arm, I see another tousled head peeping over the edge of the bed, this one blonde and fluffy and just as adorable. Annabelle doesn't want to cuddle... she's too hungry, so I guess it's time to get up.

My feet go in my furry slippers as I climb out of bed, and I grab the sweatshirt that hangs nearby, wrapping myself in it as the chilly morning air causes me to shiver. A couple clicks of the thermostat and the heat kicks in as little girls go potty and pick out their breakfast cereal. I raise the shade on our front window, not surprised at all by what I see. The sky hangs heavy and gray, and our grass and flowerbeds are soggy with the rain from the night before. It is cold, it is damp, it is winter. But I welcome the sight, knowing that today is a day for pj's, snuggles on the couch, hot cocoa, and I Love Lucy DVD's as I fold laundry and clean the house from the mess of the weekend. A day of playtime at home, and story-books, and working on Chrismas program verses together. A day of peace and quiet in our little home.

I turn on the Christmas tree lights, instantly loving the cozy effect, and stand for a moment, fully awake now and glad to greet the day with all its simple blessings before us. Girlish voices from the two small figures kneeling on the kitchen floor in front of the cereal cupboard remind me of the duties that await my hands, and I turn to leave the room. Against the cold gray morning outside, the lights on our tree twinkle cheerfully.

"Exactly!" I think... and I twinkle cheerfully back.