The Post In Which I Ramble
To say we have been busy is an understatement.
All good things...God doing great things....but, nonetheless, busy.
We finished school a week ago. I am so thankful for the opportunity to educate my children at home and enjoy doing so, but I also really like the carefree days of summer. By the end of summer, I will be ready for the routine of the school year. I love how cycles function: just when I need a break, there is one. Then, after a break, I am ready for ordinary life again.
My kids are just amazing.....growing and changing faster than I can keep track of. When I look back at pictures of my kids when they're toddlers, I cannot even convey how fast the time has passed. I have been a parent over 7 years, which is crazy, considering it feels like I was in college a few years ago. In reality, it's been nearly a decade since I left FSU.
As fast as it has gone, I have to say I actually do enjoy my kids getting older. With Caleb and Chloe in the middle years, I love their deep thoughts....creativity....seeing a light bulb go off when they grasp a new concept....having good conversations with one another and with us as parents. As much as I wish time would slow down, I love seeing the little people my kids are becoming. I also totally adore the sweet/goofy/tiring/wonderful baby and toddler stages. It's like every stage is awesome (and every stage has its challenges), so it's impossible to be sad when they grow because each child only gets more fun and more awesome.
But when I look back at old pictures, I still can't believe we got here this fast. In recent weeks, I have been intentional about slowing down and taking it all in. I try to say "yes" as much as possible and am giving more freedoms than before. I know I will blink and have an empty nest, so while my nest is still very much full (and very messy, haha), I want to savor it. Not every moment, as I could do without the whining and fighting, but most moments are far too precious.
One of my biggest goals as a parent is, when my last child goes off to college, I can look back on these childrearing years and know with all of my heart that I gave all that I had to these precious blessings God has entrusted me with. I don't want to say "I wish I would have had more fun, laughed more, tucked them in more, talked more, etc".
Not that I have some unrealistic standards. I have many days where bedtime cannot come quick enough. But, in the dailyness of life, my greatest goals are to instill a love/passion for Jesus and to give all I have to the most incredible job on earth.
I am not sure why I am writing all of this. These days are chaotic and crazy and humbling and fun and hard. They are so good. In our culture today, I am saddened that children are viewed as burdens because they are so incredibly fun and miraculous.
I love being a mom. I am so thankful for this blog. The memories I have recorded are priceless. As much as I thought I would never forget them, I have. So it's a treasure to be able to read through the pages and remember every season I've walked through.
I hope to post pictures today. I am behind, but iPhoto is not cooperating!
All good things...God doing great things....but, nonetheless, busy.
We finished school a week ago. I am so thankful for the opportunity to educate my children at home and enjoy doing so, but I also really like the carefree days of summer. By the end of summer, I will be ready for the routine of the school year. I love how cycles function: just when I need a break, there is one. Then, after a break, I am ready for ordinary life again.
My kids are just amazing.....growing and changing faster than I can keep track of. When I look back at pictures of my kids when they're toddlers, I cannot even convey how fast the time has passed. I have been a parent over 7 years, which is crazy, considering it feels like I was in college a few years ago. In reality, it's been nearly a decade since I left FSU.
As fast as it has gone, I have to say I actually do enjoy my kids getting older. With Caleb and Chloe in the middle years, I love their deep thoughts....creativity....seeing a light bulb go off when they grasp a new concept....having good conversations with one another and with us as parents. As much as I wish time would slow down, I love seeing the little people my kids are becoming. I also totally adore the sweet/goofy/tiring/wonderful baby and toddler stages. It's like every stage is awesome (and every stage has its challenges), so it's impossible to be sad when they grow because each child only gets more fun and more awesome.
But when I look back at old pictures, I still can't believe we got here this fast. In recent weeks, I have been intentional about slowing down and taking it all in. I try to say "yes" as much as possible and am giving more freedoms than before. I know I will blink and have an empty nest, so while my nest is still very much full (and very messy, haha), I want to savor it. Not every moment, as I could do without the whining and fighting, but most moments are far too precious.
One of my biggest goals as a parent is, when my last child goes off to college, I can look back on these childrearing years and know with all of my heart that I gave all that I had to these precious blessings God has entrusted me with. I don't want to say "I wish I would have had more fun, laughed more, tucked them in more, talked more, etc".
Not that I have some unrealistic standards. I have many days where bedtime cannot come quick enough. But, in the dailyness of life, my greatest goals are to instill a love/passion for Jesus and to give all I have to the most incredible job on earth.
I am not sure why I am writing all of this. These days are chaotic and crazy and humbling and fun and hard. They are so good. In our culture today, I am saddened that children are viewed as burdens because they are so incredibly fun and miraculous.
I love being a mom. I am so thankful for this blog. The memories I have recorded are priceless. As much as I thought I would never forget them, I have. So it's a treasure to be able to read through the pages and remember every season I've walked through.
I hope to post pictures today. I am behind, but iPhoto is not cooperating!
Catching up on your blog and just wanted to say how much I love these posts of yours! Makes me even more excited for the years to come. I love your attitude towards parenting and am always encouraged by your perspective! Also thinking I need to start a blog of my own to chronicle our family's journey for myself. I've said it before, but must say again that God is already fulfilling your dream of ministering to other families ; )
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