Like some of you, I've found myself with more time home with my family. I'm loving it. In the midst of an unfortunate and trying time for many, I find myself offering frequent prayers of thanksgiving for this unexpected blessing.
Normally I would be at work when they get up. Now, I'm here and I get to hear about all sorts of wild adventures they've had in their dreams. Just this morning Avonlea told me of her wolf friend that let her paint his toenails.I've watched my boys discover the excitement of mud fights. We've taken a million walks and bike rides down the road to feed the neighborhood goats. I sit there with no other pressing matter, watching goats nibble at their bike helmets. And I soak it all in. It's these small moments I want to remember forever.
We've read more books than I can count followed by frequent tickling wars. I've been awakened with little boys cuddling on each side of me and Avonlea singing "Waymaker". I've also been awakened by the occasional banshee cry as a fight breaks out before 7 a.m.
We've eaten more "smarshmellows" than healthy. I've learned one child prefers them straight from the bag, another lightly roasted, and a third eats sweets pretty much any and all ways they come.
My house is filled with the sound of a roaring T-Rex at a moments notice.
There is of course the typical misbehavior and squabbles. Don't get me wrong. It's real life. But overall, this has been such a sweet time watching, observing, and playing with my children.
I've examined and exclaimed over hundreds of lego creations. "Mommy, look at this" is frequently heard as someone brings me their latest product of the imagination. I've actually been impressed with their designs. They must take after their daddy because everything mommy makes looks like a box.My boys hum while playing with legos with Amazing Grace's "when we've been there 10,000 years" on repeat.
My daughter saw her papa working on his laptop. Her comment? "My daddy has a bigger 'pooter than you." You can imagine the laughs we've had over that one. Perhaps I should teach her the correct pronunciation of computer.
A recent conversation consisted of my boys asking me who the devil was. One son was confident he would tell the devil to leave him alone. The other? "Not me. I'll get a sharp knife and poke him with it. I'll kill that devil."
Fellow mamas, are we soaking up time with our little people? We'll never get it back again. My prayer is that each of us can truly learn to delight in these sweet, yet cantankerous children who've been entrusted to us for such a short time. If the current times have brought additional stress and left you juggling all your many hats in the living room floor: stop for just a moment. Give yourself a breather. Give yourself a moment to just watch your children play. Pause to read a storybook with the softness of a child's skin cuddled in your lap. Take a walk and see the world from their perspective. They'll love it. And you won't regret it.
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