Growing Up

Sometimes I forget that my life is not always going to be like this.  My kids are not always going to be 3, 4 and 8 years old. 

They are not always going to be small enough to sit on my lap.  I made the Second Grader sit on my lap the other day and I felt like Santa when the giggly teenagers are trying to be cute.  I often forget that this time is just a small part of their lives.  It's just a snapshot.  Once an older man at church told me he'd give away all of his money if he could go back in time and have one day when his kids were my kids' ages.  Then it hit me that one day I'd feel like that. 

It especially hit me the other day when I was taking the Second Grader to school to practice for the talent show (in which he was fantastic by the way).  He was mortified by the way I was acting and said "Mom!!!  Not in front of the highschoolers!!"  Want to know what I was doing?  Get ready for it, because it really is embarrassing.  I'm ashamed to tell you.....

I was carrying his guitar.  Yeah, I don't get it either. 

It just made me realize....I don't have much time!!!  They will not be mine much longer.  It reminds me of when Baby Girl was tiny and a friend was holding her.  She quickly gave her back to me when her 3 year old got jealous and wanted mommy to hold her.  She said "I don't know how much longer she'll want me to do that!"  At the time I was like....okay crazy lady, whatever.  But, now that I can't fit my oldest into my lap, I get it. 

Call me a whack-a-doodle, but I like staying at home with my kids.  It's hard and I'd love to be able to go pee without an audience, but that's why I quit my job.  I complain, and yes, sometimes I pray for bedtime at 5:00 pm but I do like being here with them.  It's not for everyone, and that's okay.  I'm starting to realize I should take advantage of every minute.  Even though I love cleaning toilets and picking up crumbs with every cell in my body (if you sense sarcasm here, kudos to you), I have got to stop and take some time out with my kids more often.  Time to just be with them and talk.   

How much longer can I enjoy this?

Crazy hair day!!

Or this.....

A rare moment of peace.....kind of like a Bigfoot sighting....you've heard of it, but have never really seen it.

So, when I am losing my mind over things like this.....

Holy crap WHO is making these messes??

I will remember the cliche "The days are long, but the years are short."  Because, it is so incredibly true.  And then I may drink some wine to help me stay sane....