slow afternoons

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i really like september weather. when i take the time to stop and think and ask myself "when my kids are grown what will be the things i want to remember or will remember?" i doubt it will be busy, crazy afternoons. i tend to think it will be moments like this above that will forever be etched in my memory. i've learned these moments have to be protected and often times cultivated to happen with any real rhythm. i've loved throwing a blanket out in the backyard and reading with the kids, having snack out there and just listening to lainey tell us about her day at school. i wish i had a secret camera to capture all these moments so later in life i can reflect on all these favorite conversations and relationship building. but then i think, oh, my good good father is recording all this. perhaps when we get to heaven, heaven will be so great that our thoughts will be so different. and yet, on afternoons like we've had (even if there have only been a handful over the last few weeks) i think this has to be a taste of heaven....has to be.