Counting Sheep

Last night, I lay in bed trying my best to relax and fall asleep. But if you are anything like me, then it takes you awhile to turn your mind completely off. Mine just wants to keep on spinning. I tried counting sheep (I seriously believe this to be a myth) and of course, it did not work. I lay there and can hear the sound of my husband slowly breathing in and out. I can hear the blades of our ceiling fan going round and round, as goose bumps slowly appear on my arms. I stare anxiously at the clock, eyes wide open. I feel like I am on some kind of movie set. You know, the one scene where everything gets real quiet and you sit and wait for something to happen. Yeah, that was me. I lay and watch my alarm clock slowly change, minute by minute. I mostly thought about my day and some of the conversations I had with my co-workers. Technically I was alone for most of the day. I turned the radio up and was dancing and singing along. I must admit, I've got mad skills. Haha! Had someone come around the corner and saw me, I would have been completely embarrassed. I was reminded of the time I worked for FIG. It was Halloween and my coworker, Heather and I were blaring Michael Jackson's "Thriller". My boss made her way around the corner just in time to see me busting a move. We all just laughed, but I quickly got back to work there after. Man those were the days. Must have been "Club Thirty" Ladies...if you are reading this, then you know what I am talking about. Great times for sure!
As I lay there, I also think about James and how much he has grown. My little buddy is now four years old. Time sure goes faster then you think. I thought about things he had said earlier that night. Things like "Mom, girls are BORING". Ohh son if you only knew. I know all to well that will quickly change. You see James has a pre-arranged marriage to Katelynn Echerd, so he had better change his mind real fast. Ha...for the most part I am just picking, however that would be pretty awesome if they grew up to be little love birds.
As I lay there and think about James, one by one, the kids that I used to nanny for make their way into my mind. I wonder what they are doing and how they have been? This time last year, we would have been busy running back and fourth to the neighborhood pool. Yes...I got paid to lay out by the pool, can you believe it? I thought about each of them and wondered what their plans were for the upcoming school year? I know this will be starting soon and if I know Jax, he is already dreading this. Jax is a very bright young man, and when it comes to anything dealing with Science, his eyes lite up. He loves anything dealing with geology and breaking things apart. Legos are also some of his favorites. I thought about Sierra (the oldest of the Campbells). I miss our little afternoon chats about boys and the latest fashion trends. I miss her singing to the top of her lungs, head phones on, as if no else in the world exists. I miss finding stashes of chocolate candy in her dresser drawers. I simply miss Sierra! I thought about Ivy and Wyatt too. I miss playing Barbie's and reading Dora the Explorer books over and over again. I miss trying to braid and comb Ivy's hair. She is not a fan of bows, but she is definitely all girl. I have never met someone who changed clothes as many times as she does. She is wide open and I know James sure does miss her. I think about Mr. Wyatt and how I would help out with his homework everyday. Wyatt is also very bright for his age. He could probably beat you at a spelling bee any day. While he is not a big fan of reading, give him a Thomas the Train book and he is occupied for days. I miss watching him count his money over and over again. I even miss taking him to soccer practice. I know he always dreaded going, but once we got there, he was in his element and happy. Truth be told, I miss the family all together. I hope I somehow impacted their lives, as much as they impacted mine.
I lay in bed and also think about how quickly this year seems to be going by. I cannot believe August is already here. In another four months, Christmas will be here. These long summer days will be gone before we know it. The leaves will change and then slowly make their decent to the Earth's ground. The weather will get colder and pretty soon we will ring in another year (God willing that is). As I think about this, I begin to say my prayers. I thank the Lord for all he has done. I ask him to forgive me for falling short of his glory. I pray for my family and the recent loss of a loved one. I pray for the Campbell family and last, but not least, I pray for snow come Christmas. Soon after my prayers, I slowly begin to count sheep again. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...goodnight world.