They’ll only be little for a little while.
They will only want to sit in the living room in the their pink satin pajamas and watch the Rose Parade with me for a little while longer. They’ll only want the climax of their day off of school to be a playdate at the park for a few more years. The carousel will still hold its mystique for a short time.
I’m living in the few years before
iPods.
Cell phones.
Curfews.
And boyfriends.
So I’m soaking in it. I’m not complaining about New Year’s Eves spent in front of a Looney Tunes movie followed by an Xbox game. Or a living room floor littered with rubber Polly Pocket dresses and shoes. I’m not squirming away when little hands grab my face to share hew new favorite gloss on my lips.
I’m not going to wish for a quiet holiday morning. Instead my wishes for this year are to
Take more time to cuddle.
Allow more time to watch little faces that will soon be the faces of women.
Pay more attention to small hands that want to be held.
Listen better.
And never wish the time to move faster. It will move quickly enough without my help.
What are you wishing for this year?
I’m wishing for more intentional focus on the time I have before we get rid of princess and playskool toys.
You are beautiful – thank you for this post!
mercy and grace. YOU are beautiful, amanda. =)
This speaks to me deeply as a Dad, too. I get frustrated because all 4 our kids like to pile in the same, twin bed. They have a hard time getting to sleep and bothering each other, but they love piling in that little bed. One day, they won’t even want to play with each other probably …
Great post!
thanks fred. oh i know…someday they won’t slip in in the middle of the night and climb in between us in bed. [sigh]
What a beautiful post! I look at my babies (10 year old son and 3 year old daughter… not really babies anymore!) and I wonder where the years have gone. They really do grow up so fast. Wishing you an amazing 2010 with your girls!
The time does fly. This year my babies will be 21, 19 and 8! A new grandbaby mid-year will give me another chance to enjoy another childhood, Lord willing. I am NOT wishing a single minute away. Thanks for this post.
I think Nicole Wick will be guiding a little traffic your way today!
My baby is 23. We watched the parade 2000 miles apart. For the very 1st time. Talked on the phone while bulldogs snowboarded on a float. She graduated from college in May. Started her first real job. She survived her parents moving 1700 miles further away. (so did I, so far) She comes for a first visit 1 week from today. Woo Hoo.
Enjoy every second. The day will come when they don’t want to snuggle anymore (even if they need to). But, it’s all good. God brings us times to make precious memories. Those last forever.
Enjoyed looking around. I’ll be back. Google Reader is my friend! Happy New Year, Sarah.
wow! i’m wtih you sarah. enjoy each moment because they are going way too fast!
the same.
What a wise and wonderful thing to wish for. In addition to purposing to be present with my girls, I am hoping for a healthy year or at least healthier than we have had in a while. God bless you and yours this new year. Glorify Him.
I’m not a dad, but it’s funny how this transcends parenthood, even if only by a fraction. My nieces and nephews are growing up, and even from 5000 miles away I turn in to the protective uncle on Skype and Facebook!
I’m sitting here wiping tears away. You captured so perfectly everything my heart swelled to say when I cuddled tonight with my 2 daughters. They are 3 and 1 and already time is slipping through my fingers. My only consulation is my excitement at seeing the women of God He will shape them into. Thanks for this post.
And boyfriends… UGH! Jesus help us… =)
I think I will follow your lead.
We spend so much time wishing our time away, that it’s hard to stay present. It’s got to change
Happy New Year!
As you know I am in that stage…. ipods, cell phones, curfews and boyfriends/girlfriends… and I have to say its tough, yet I LOVE LOVE LOVE who they all are. Everything about them! They are in that stage where they are making there own choices.. some that I would not make, others that I would…. I so look forward to all that they are doing and celebrating but in the same exact breath wanting to lock them in their rooms because they are running away from me faster than I can catch them… I have to remember I am not fighting with them as individuals but I am fighting a culture that wants to take them….. I have to stand on the confidence that we have laid a solid foundation that they will serve Christ with every part of their being as they grow into fine adults.. Its a GREAT stage we are in…. but I find my self on my knees a lot !
ps- this is where i think you and chad have a huge voice… to all the pks/church raised kids… they can hear it from us till we are blue in the face but may listen the FIRST time to someone on the outside… =) love you….
Funny…I am in both stages…college and kindergarten! I am a different parent this time around…more patient and willing to endure the messes in an effort to be around them and not live the “perfect” life…because it never is. It’s a balancing act with the older ones..allowing them to grow up and yet still taking advantage of the teachable moments; there still are some. It made my heart sing yesterday when my college age son told us about his new years eve night. He drove a few friends home who had been drinking and helped one friend get her car out of mud. And yet, he said t was a great night. So glad to hear he heard us say “make wise choices” as he left for the night and yet, he also heard us say “have a great time.”
I agree with Davese’s comment above…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. And fight like crazy what culture would take from them (Great wisdom there!)but learn to be graceful when they are different from who you are. My son (19) is wild and crazy and adventurous….many of the things I ma not and sometimes wish I was. He makes me laugh; he makes me think about my preconceived notions of life. I love that about him. My young son (5) is a lot like him. My daughter in the middle (18) is sweet and kind and more innocent to the ways of the world.
Don’t wish any of it away…take it all in and bask in the fact that you have been givne the chance to love these lives. It is a miracle I never want to forget.
Awesome post,Sarah. You are such a loving Mom. I’m a very loving Grandma, and wish more Dads would take the time like our son does (even though he owns his own Company and being a CEO has so many decisions to make daily) still finds time to totally involve his 11 year and 8 year olds’ school activities. spends quality time with them; I commend the character he teaches these kids. My hubby and I are so proud of him, because our daughter-in-law was not raised in a home with values and character, so his teaching is phenomenal!
Great post. How much of our lives do we put them aside trying to accomplish some small task or goal? We think it will benefit them in our minds(I am very guilty). But what really benefits them is us, being a part of their lives and enjoying the incredible blessings they are.
I follow your esteemed husband on Twitter and love your blog. My Wife and I have a lot in common with you and Chad’s life lessons. Going to get her to read too.
What a wonderful post! My girls are 8 and 3 and they grow up so fast. The 8 year old is already starting to get into technology, fashion, and other things that I am not ready for. I want her to grow into a young lady but I don’t want to lose my baby! Selfish, I know. I vow to spend more time snuggling on the couch with them, reading, and enjoying the simple things in life. Thanks for all you do!
You sound like a smart & sweet mama! Your wish is one that each of us hope for at some point as moms. My kids are all teenagers now and I love it! Every year of their lives….my husband and I have claimed it as the best year yet! They just keep getting better, really.
Being a parent is the greatest job ever.
Now….my oldest is in college and loves it. My girls both attend high school where I work….and believe me, I cherish every moment. Time flies by!
Make memories every chance you get! It’s fun to look back with them and hear what they say about life!
So beautiful! I was just saying to a friend the other day that I wish I could press a slow motion button on Time. It seems like I blinked and my twin girls are now five. And my son– wasn’t he just born yesterday and not five months ago? To take in the moment & to cherish the NOW, those are on my “resolutions” list this year too.
Beautiful reminder! Thank you Sarah…
You are gifted with words and I pray that God will bless you with abundance this year and beyond. Keep up the encouraging work!
I love this. Thanks!
To be still and know He is God. That might sound like a generic answer but I find it really difficult to be still – so to actually find the stillness He intended would be amazing…also the KNOW that He is God – yeah. To know Him. To KNOW. That is my hearts cry.
Oh Sarah, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful post! Brings tears to my eyes…