Losing More Than a Tooth?

The littlest member in the family has moved one step closer to being, well, not so little.  Much to her delight, Lexi lost her first tooth yesterday!  It has been a highly anticipated moment for the last several days.  She has kept pretty much everyone updated on her loose tooth status this week, including: 

Natalie's teacher, aide and principal

Clerk at Target

Lady at the gym

Man at mexican food restaurant

Starbucks barista

Librarian

Molly and Wrigley 

(I don't think she mentioned it to our fish though.)

Oh, and all the stuffed animal friends on her bed, of course.

So, here she is, bloody drool and all.  No fuss.  No tears.  

Just super excited.

It makes my heart happy to see her so happy.
But what's this little pain in my chest?
This slight tightening in my stomach?
She's growing up.
***sigh***
My sweet little Lexi.

I cried when I turned in her kindergarten registration form last month.  Yep, walked out of the school office in tears.

It seems like we just came home!  And now everyone is heading to school in the fall?  How can this be?  Some days, Russia feels only a breath away.

Don't get me wrong, a vast majority of the time, life around here is a tangle of homework, errands, cooking, cleaning, bickering, hurrying hurrying hurrying to this place and that.
But not always.
 
Sometimes.  Every now and then.  There are moments.
Sweet, precious moments I try to breathe in and savor.
Moments, that seem almost fragile.

Lord, give me the eyes to see Your grace and blessing in all of it...
All of it.
The rushing madness of our day to day, as well as those sweet, fragile moments I treasure so very much.
Thank you for the amazing gift of family.
That I may know fullness of joy and a bit of heartache, all at the same time.
May I never take it for granted.... (even though I sometimes do).
Thank you for this love.
Love that doesn't get lost with starting new school years, with passing birthdays...
... or even with missing teeth.