Snuggled beneath my covers, thinking about the upcoming day and what I hope to accomplish, that is when I usually hear the jingle of a door knob being turned by little fingers.
Lately the early morning wake up has been coming from my little boy. (Unless he’s already in my room, sleeping on the floor.) If I’m lucky I can talk him in to some snuggle time.
It’s those few precious moments, where I’m holding on to my youngest who is trying to grow up all too fast, that make me smile in the morning.
Sometimes as we snuggle I think back to when it was his sister who would come in way too early, and how she and I would hide beneath the covers from a “skunk that was in the room,” or whatever else she might imagine. Now she would rather play quietly in her room when she opens her eyes, taking care of her baby dolls or setting up a grand adventure for Strawberry Shortcake and friends, instead of coming to see me first thing in the morning.
And so I close my eyes, and breathe in his scent, and try to hold on to the moment, before he realizes the clock says it’s time he can get up and he races to the living room to start his own adventures. I am thankful for those moments.

Once in the kitchen, I sit down with my cup of hot, chocolatey, caffeine burst that gives me the energy to keep up with them both in the morning, and I watch them both play. I’m thankful that they both have a best friend who is there the first thing in the morning. And I’m thankful that they are at an age where I can have this moment to wake up and just watch them.
Some mornings I make them a breakfast that is easy to eat while playing, not wishing to disturb whatever world they’ve created. Other mornings I call them to the table and they eat while I do a few morning chores, toss in some laundry or unload the dishwasher.
And I think:
One day I will wake and find no little ones have come to greet me first thing in the morning.
One day they will want to stay in bed until noon.
One day they won’t need me to make breakfast for them.
One day they won’t want to play side by side, mixing the world of cars and dolls to create their own stories.
One day our morning routine will change.
But for now I’m thankful for our morning routine and the time we have together.
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What moments are you thankful for in the morning? Leave a comment or link up your own Thankful Thursday post below!(Be sure to let others know you linked up with There’s Just One Mommy.)
This Thankful Thursday post inspired by

NatteringNic says
You’re right…someday soon we won’t have the mornings with them. They will be surly teenagers bunkered down in their room until noon and then graduate into adults who will move out. Thanks for the reminder.
*clickin by from mamakat*
OneMommy says
Thanks for stopping by — off to read about your cold ham crisis! 🙂
Jennifer says
So sweet. Embrace it while you can!
OneMommy says
I plan to do just that, every chance I get!
Anne says
That is so sweet. I hope your baby lets you snuggle him for a little while longer tomorrow morning.
OneMommy says
The irony is that the day after that post he opted to stay in his room and play, just like big sister! Thankfully he went back to his usual habit of snuggling with me the rest of the weekend!
jamie says
I’m thankful waking up my dog and just rubbing her belly until Im fully awake before getting off the bed 😉
OneMommy says
Oh, I remember the days of my dog laying on the bed with us… She doesn’t hop up on our bed as often anymore b/c of her knees, but she does still love her belly rubs!
Kathleen says
Time does fly oh so quickly. I like to reflect from time to time on when my kiddos were tiny ones… Now I enjoy my grandchildren about once a week or so. They are God’s blessings. Enjoy each second 🙂
OneMommy says
Yes, they truly are blessings from God. Thanks for stopping by!
Mary says
I’m glad you are savoring the special moments now, and I hope that as they grow the new things that they are doing will also make you smile. This week I’m thankful to have my whole brood plus a new exchange student at home. I love setting six plates at the dinner table instead of three.
OneMommy says
They come up with new things to make me smile all the time….
Having more to cook for is something very special to be thankful for! 🙂
Donna DM Yates says
I so miss the mornings when my son was young and I was the first person he wanted to see, but nowadays, I’m grateful for my quiet mornings. I get a cup of decaf and come to my little nook to read emails, craft or work on writing.
You so have the right attitude, because before you know it, they do grow up. but they will always, always remember those days and they will always, always love you.