After nap, John and I took the kids to Dino World. Now, you have to remember that we've been to Dino World no less than a hundred times. Dino World, in fact, was the first "real" outing we had with the kids. I remember how we dressed them up in the cutest outfits, loaded them in the triple stroller, and took them through for the first time. Since they were so premature, we didn't take them out in public much when they were little. But when Dino World opened in March 2008, we went.
Ever since then we've had a special relationship with Dino World. Sometimes we would go because we just had to get out of the house. Sometimes I would take them just because they would be in their stroller...and for a brief while..I wouldn't have to chase them or make sure they didn't get into everything. Then as they got older, TT would take them during the day because they could burn off some energy. For the past two years I've watched our children change against the backdrop of dinosaurs who've stayed the same for millions of years.
So, this Saturday was pretty and John and I wanted to take them again. I found myself getting extremely emotional at the way they were so excited on the drive out there. "Go faster, Daddy!" "It's right over there, Daddy!" And the way they waited so patiently at the counter while we got our new passes. Or by the way the attendant commented:
"Oh, are they twins?" (pointing to the boys)
"They are triplets," I replied.
"Really? Wow, her eyes are brown and the boys' are blue."
To which Adam responded, "Avery's eyes are brown because she's full of poop!" (Yes, John taught them that!)
Then, like KIDS they ran out the door and headed toward the dinosaurs. Although it has been a few months since our last visit, Aaron knew what dinosaur was coming next, and what color the dinosaur was going to be. I'm amazed at his memory. John and I kinda walked behind them and talked about that first visit 2 years ago, and we reminisced about our sweet little babies that were now officially children. About that time I hear Avery say, "I can't wait to show T-Rex my new glasses! He will love them!" How absolutely and completely precious....
After walking the park the kids wanted to play in the play area. They climbed the ladders, crawled through the tunnels, and slid down the slides...all the while John was chasing, scaring, and belly laughing at them. There it was....that moment....I didn't want it to end. I wanted to sit there for an eternity and watch my husband--the amazing father of my children--play. And I wanted the kids to always be as happy as they were at that moment. "Dad, get me!" they would yell. "Dad, I'm over here!" It's like I didn't exist, and honestly, I was fine with that because I was getting to watch.
When we got home it was close to dinner time. John offered to take the kids out back to jump on the trampoline while I got dinner ready. And it happened again...I looked out our kitchen windows when I could hear laughter coming from the back of the yard. I watched for at least 5 minutes without moving a muscle. I heard Avery and Aaron belly laughing....Adam saying "Dad, look at me! Dad, look at me!"....John laughing so loud, while lying on his back and Aaron was attacking him, that I could hear him through walls and windows.
"Please stop, time," I thought. "I want it to always be like this. I want to hear their laughter. I want to hear John's laughter. I want them to be safe...happy...I want them to grow up in a home with two parents who work together to make the best life possible.." I prayed for God to protect all 4 of my Loves on that trampoline. It was one of those moments that I will never, ever forget, and that has been burned in my mind and in my heart.
Blessed? Am I blessed? Beyond comprehension....beyond what I deserve....beyond what I could have ever imagined.
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| Not from that amazing day....I was too entranced to actually grab the camera...but from a recent day on the trampoline. |
