Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Time flies....

I've had many moments in the last 2 weeks where that has been my primary thought. My youngest turned 7 last week and as I entered the family room on the morning of his birthday, he greeted me (bouncing up and down) with "I'm 7 mama!!" and I'll blink and he'll be 18. It may sound dramatic but I know that my years with these precious gifts from God won't last forever.

I remember telling my husband, "they will only be this age today, tomorrow they will be one day older and will change." I was probably hormonal at the time but it's true! As much as it seems they never grow out of phases and they have been "like this forever", there are subtle changes each and everyday and they are growing literally before your eyes.

While waiting for my oldest to finish therapy yesterday, my 8 yr. old spent some time sitting on my lap. Actually, I scooped him up and cradled him across my lap like I did when he was much smaller. He looked up at me and those 8 years flashed before my eyes. All of the nightly feedings where his sweet face would look up at mine like I was the most treasured person in the world. His sweet smile and giggle as I tickled him and his delight as I sang and rocked him to sleep. He quickly jumped down when the doctor entered the waiting room but, much to my delight, climbed back on my lap when he left and happily stayed there, looking up at me with that same sweet face.

Enjoying our children in the midst of fevers, meltdowns and power struggles can seem like such a hard thing to do but, if we don't, we run the risk of someday asking, "where did the time go?" I'm sure I will ask that question no matter what but it is my goal that I will cherish each moment with my boys. Live in the moment, if you will. There seems to be so much emphasis placed on going and doing with our kids. I encourage you to take a moment and look in their face, see their joy and soak it in.

A fantastic mom and mentor to many recently posted these thoughts http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/

Slow down and savor those moments today.

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3