A Letter to Myself

Dear Mommy,

Stop for a moment, look around, I want you to remember this sweet season.  Yes, there are unfolded clothes, dishes that need to be done, dust and fingerprints on the furniture, and spit up on your shirt, but look past that.  That baby sitting there, staring at you, and watching your every move, do you see her? YOU are her world.  You mean everything to her.  She knows you feed her, hold her, rock her, bathe her, change her, play with her, read to her...love her, and yes, even though she is so tiny and cannot express it, she loves you too, she adores you more than you know.  And that little boy who is asking you to help sweep and wants nothing more than to be with you every moment, or who asks you to fix his train track he breaks two seconds after you fix it, or to read that book he loves over and over again, the one who is growing up so quickly, YOU are his world too.  You're his best friend, his comforter, the fixer of all things, the one who dries his tears, the one who makes him laugh like nobody else can, and yes, he loves you too, more than he could ever express.

But I suppose I don't have to tell you those things, because deep down, deep inside, you know all these things to be true.  And even in the chaos of everyday life, you wouldn't trade your life as a mommy for the world.  These little hearts that have been entrusted to you, they are YOURS for this season of life (for as long as the Lord deems fit), what a privilege, what an honor to be THEIR mommy. Some days you're filled with complete thanksgiving to be a mommy, and other days you don't know if you're fit to be one.  You're tired, but somehow you often forget that. And yet, when you feel like you can't go on any longer, you are reminded that the grace of God is continually fueling you're days, with strength

So Mommy, please STOP, and enjoy every little moment...

Every Tear...because you are the only one that can wipe them away

Every Mess...because behind that mess is creativity, learning, and fun

Every Feeding...because in the blink of an eye, that newborn will be all grown up

Every Cuddle...because one day, they won't fit in your lap, or your arms

Every Story...because you are their first teacher

Every Conversation...because one day, you won't always be the person they want to talk to

Every Hug...because each one is another way for you to tell them how much you love them, and for them to tell you how much they love you

Every Sickness...because you get to be the one that comforts them

Every First...because it only happens once

Every Laugh...because they truly do make you smile bigger than anyone else can

Every Discipline...because you are prepping their heart for the Gospel and pointing them towards Jesus

Every DAY...because we aren't promised tomorrow

Be filled with thankfulness, joy, and satisfaction mommy, you're in the thick of one of the hardest seasons of your life, but one of the most beautifully rewarding.

XOXO

How Quickly We Forget!

As I walked through my house this afternoon I felt the anxiety rise as I saw everything that needed to be picked up, cleaned, swept, vacuumed, laundered, washed and folded. Why? Because at the same time I was trying to get my 2 year old to eat his fish and rice and he won't eat it unless I feed it to him for some reason and my now 5 month old is fussy because of 2 shots he received yesterday and I forgot to give him Tylenol. I know the cleaning won't happen before they go to bed and probably not after that either. I read a blog today that talked about enjoying each moment with our babies. It touched me and there might have been a few tears shed thinking how much I wish moments away sometimes. As I got my two in bed and thought about how long it had been since I've blogged I was praying about what to blog about. I was excited to blog about something totally different so I kept trying to get my boys in bed quicker, I told my 2 year old we would only read 4 books instead of 6 and we prayed and he got into bed. The baby cried so I took out of his room and brought him into mine to swaddle him. I was hurrying and right as I was about to pick him up and bring him back into his room he started cooing and smiling at me. That was the only reminder I needed. My heart felt heavy with conviction and I realized now I am making, what is supposed to be an encouragement to others and glorifying to God, my priority over my own babies. I stopped, sat on the bed and played with him. My older one heard me playing and ran into my room. I usually would tell him to get back in bed but by the grace of God i picked him up and set him next to us. The 20 minutes of snuggling, giggling, and playing was worth so much more than rushing anywhere or cleaning anything. Please, please stop and remember that each moment with your sweet littles is time you won't get back. Enjoy the crying.....why? Because you're mommy. You're the one they cry to, you're the one they trust with their tears, their hearts, their vulnerability. Don't ignore the cries, as frustrating as it can be, the rolly-polly that your dog just ate that made your son cry really does mean something to him, even if it seems ridiculous to you (yes this has happened to me multiple times). Tell them it's ok and don't get mad at their tears. When they throw another tantrum in Target take the time to teach them what is right, discipline and love on them. It might be embarrassing at the time but use it to grow. I've been sanctified in this area multiple times in the last few days and I am so thankful to God for that. We don't know how long we have here with them, and we don't know how quickly this season will pass. We will miss it when it is gone as I already miss when my older son was younger. Please stop and enjoy your babies!