I’m sitting here reading and researching and I hear Adam in the other room; he’s cleaning Charlie’s playroom. We always go through a major clean out before Christmas. We are minimalists so our philosophy is “out with the old, in with the new- everything must have a home within our home.” Anyway, Charlie came running in to tell me how she wants this cool gymnast balance beam for Christmas. She goes on to tell me about all of the things she wants to do with it and the goals she has set for herself. Then it dawned on me: you know that scene in Toy Story when the frame fades from kids toys and dolls and balls to more mature things? Omg. That is happening right now.. right before my eyes. Her dolls will soon be replaced with balance beams. Her colorful cardboard storybooks now full of paper pages and chapters.

What a beautiful reminder that it’s time to slow down, hibernate, and prepare for the next season of growth. Though it makes me madly emotional while I process the fact that this version of my sweet girl will never exist again, I am proud that I am mindful enough to recognize that we are in the midst of a transition. Old me would one day reflect on this transition. New me will capture it.