For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a mom.
I was a baby nut from the get go...so I'm told. I remember coming home from school and waking up my baby brother, just so I could play with him. I was 8. He was cute. I just couldn't get enough!
I look at my life now and I smile. This is pretty much what I had dreamed of (except for, you know, maybe not the whole "never ending bathroom project"...), what I pictured...but better.
You know, it's weird...when kids are little and you're doing the day in, day out living to survive those baby years, it's hard. You're tired, no, you're exhausted, you're used up and worn out by the end of the day...just from living.
Shoes on, coat on, buckle in one, two, three kids...unbuckle one, two, three kids, wrangle all five, shoes off, supper on, baths done, teeth brushed...GAH! How do we do it?! (It's no wonder we collapse into bed at the end of the day with a big ol' "HANDS OFF" sign on our foreheads...)
It just dawned on me that my kids are "easy(ish)" now. Sure, they're still busy, but different. They're independent. They can get their own breakfast. Their own shoes on. Their own coats on. They can buckle in. It's no longer "30 minutes 'til go time, gotta get ready"...it's now, "Kids, we've gotta go...NOW!!".
Will you moms who are in "survival mode" hate me if I say I miss it a little? I miss those newborn snuggles...those sleepless nights...those rock-to-sleep times? 'Cuz I do. And partly because I can see my life flying before my very eyes.
I was gazing at my 4 year old the other day (can I just say...4 year olds are SO FUN!!!), when I was overcome with love...love and AMAZEMENT that these kids are mine. Entrusted to me to raise up into fine people.
It takes my breath away.
Those times when it's almost as if God has whispered in my ear and reminded me of what I have before me. To just stop...and breathe it in.
I love those times...
I was a baby nut from the get go...so I'm told. I remember coming home from school and waking up my baby brother, just so I could play with him. I was 8. He was cute. I just couldn't get enough!
I look at my life now and I smile. This is pretty much what I had dreamed of (except for, you know, maybe not the whole "never ending bathroom project"...), what I pictured...but better.
You know, it's weird...when kids are little and you're doing the day in, day out living to survive those baby years, it's hard. You're tired, no, you're exhausted, you're used up and worn out by the end of the day...just from living.
Shoes on, coat on, buckle in one, two, three kids...unbuckle one, two, three kids, wrangle all five, shoes off, supper on, baths done, teeth brushed...GAH! How do we do it?! (It's no wonder we collapse into bed at the end of the day with a big ol' "HANDS OFF" sign on our foreheads...)
It just dawned on me that my kids are "easy(ish)" now. Sure, they're still busy, but different. They're independent. They can get their own breakfast. Their own shoes on. Their own coats on. They can buckle in. It's no longer "30 minutes 'til go time, gotta get ready"...it's now, "Kids, we've gotta go...NOW!!".
Will you moms who are in "survival mode" hate me if I say I miss it a little? I miss those newborn snuggles...those sleepless nights...those rock-to-sleep times? 'Cuz I do. And partly because I can see my life flying before my very eyes.
I was gazing at my 4 year old the other day (can I just say...4 year olds are SO FUN!!!), when I was overcome with love...love and AMAZEMENT that these kids are mine. Entrusted to me to raise up into fine people.
It takes my breath away.
I love those times...
You are more than welcome to borrow my 5 month old. Particularly from 9pm to 9am, when he likes to wake up about 15 times per night (no exaggeration...). =)
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't hate your for saying that, I have a 3 year old and one on the way in August and she is our last. I am savoring every moment even though I'm entering the dreaded third tri and I am looking forward to the sleepless nights because I already know that once she gets to be 3-4 I too will miss the baby experience!
ReplyDeleteMy youngest will be 4 in a couple of months and the oldest will be 10...all 4 are definitely "easier" now...and I agree...I miss those crazy, want to pull my own hair out, haven't slept or showered like a normal person days...Now a days it's all about practices and homework, appointments and their "stuff"
ReplyDeleteTo all those older parents who told me to enjoy it cause it would go by so quickly I just need to apologize...I shouldn't have rolled my eyes behind your back and talked about you being crazy, cause you were right...10 years has flown by...and I miss it!!
I was a kindergarten teacher at one point in my career so I agree 4 year olds are the best age. They know everything and not yet tainted by their environment. I have a 4 year old granddaughter at the moment as well as 2 grandchildren over a year old and I miss the baby stage where I can just hold them and rock them to sleep. The best part of being a grandparent is you get to have the children at their best and you send them home.
ReplyDeleteYou really do have such a beautiful family lady...
ReplyDeleteI love this post... and couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful picture of a sweet family.
Love those times too - just thinking about how blessed I am. So true! I also, always wanted to be a mama. There is nothing in the world like it - it rocks!
ReplyDeleteSo good to read posts like this - the world need more mommies like you!
ReplyDeleteAs I am up again with my newborn, exhausted from the nights if no sleep adding up, I have never needed to read these words more than right now! Thank you!
ReplyDelete