Another busy week has passed me by again. Thank heavens for Sundays and the long awaited nap. After a week of only 4 hrs per night I am exhausted. (But the end is in site because Raspberry Days is this weekend... pheew... except that rain is forecasted from Wed - Sun... not excited about that!!) I took one nap right after church... I thought I was fairly relaxed and nice... but Shane offered to take the girls out to his parents so I could have "another" nap later this afternoon. I think it was fully out of concern... but maybe I wasn't as laid back as I thought...
It's during a week like this with thousands of things of my own going on that I start to feel guilt. Guilt that maybe I am focusing too much on myself and what I need to get done and not enough on my own family and their needs. (Perfect example... I only fixed one meal this week... we did eat, but the pizza man came, we went out, or Shane brought us home stuff... oh and my kids fixed their own breakfast and lunch too... ) Sure I stop to play with them, read a book, clean up messes etc., but sometimes I find myself thinking that I don't have time for that... when really that is the only "time" that really matters. Of course it's not always like that, and I probably justify doing vinyl more in the summer than I should... but my girls play SOOOO good together and are always happy to include Jadyn in everything... it is so fun to watch their love for each other. Squabbles truly are few and far between. What a blessing!
Somehow the inadequacy of being a mother is still there a little. We have sweet dear friends who long for the opportunity to have a child of their very own. They will make wonderful parents someday and have had a huge impact on my own children's lifes already. Unfortunately their quest for a child has been a long process with way too many heartbreaking experiences, but their faith remains strong, as does their love for each other. Recently this friend wrote on her blog about caring for our children and the joy that it brought to her and her husband, but the part that really got me thinking was what she wrote at the end of that post...
"I just have to add that it was fun to pretend to be a parent for a few days. I hope that every mother and father out there doesn't take a second of it for granted. I hope you cherish the fact that your kids prefer you. I hope you love the feeling of those little arms wrapped around your neck. I hope you take the time to really enjoy your kids for who they are and their cute little personalities. I hope you take the time to play with your kids, make them laugh, and want to be with them. I hope that every time you see your spouse helping with the kids, you thank the Lord that you have him/her. I hope that you reach down to take their little hand as you walk down the street. I hope you cherish every moment.... and when we get our own, I hope I never forget, ever."
Do we as parents cherish our children as much as we should? Do we take what we have for granted because it came so easy to some of us? I know that I would lose my patience less frequently if I truly thought about what a blessing it is to have these little people in our home... but sometimes I forget. I printed this quote of hers out, and I read it several times a week just to remember... that life truly isn't about "things", it's about moments... and the little stuff... it's about love and faith and an eternal perspective... it's about friendship and service and family. But most of all it's about making the most of whatever situation we are given, not just suffering through our trials, but truly APPRECIATING our blessings... and one of the hardest parts of life is being able to recognize the difference. I get to caught up in the "things" that need to be done and sometimes procrastinate the things that are most important. As this new school year gets closer my goal will be to do just that... take time for what really matters most.
6 comments:
Ang, I love this post! That's so sad about your friend. She sounds like she would be an awesome mom. I hope she gets to experience the joys of being a mother some day. Not that I know, but I can just imagine. You're a perfect example of what a mother should be like, even if you do feel guilty at times for not spending enough time with them. I think you are an excellent mom and I hope to have a cute little family like yours some day... Thanks for this post, and reminding us all to make the most of whatever we are given in life. I really believe that so many of our trials truely are blessings. Like you said, we just need to do a better job of recognizing our blessings and not focusing so much on our trials... that seems to be easier said than done. :) You are such a great sister-in-law and I'm really going to miss coming over to your house and playing games with you and Shane. I guess we'll have to resort to online games, they even have Ticket to Ride online!
sniff sniff...
Way to make your parents proud. We love you and yours. Good luck in the rain. We might come and hold an umbrella for you.
I'm sniffing too. Because I know your friend. I think about them all the time and say silent prayers that they'll get their baby soon. And don't worry -- you're an EXCELLENT mom. I think you've got the right balance. And I'm sure you cherish your girls every day. No parent can cherish their child every single moment -- but loving them 100% of the time is definitey possible!
Thank you for the sweet reminder to cherish what is most dear. I think you are an amazing mother and often wish I could be more of a mother like you. You are a great example of loving and cherishing your children. They are beautiful, happy, young women who act like they know who they are and who they can become. I know it is because of you and Shane. Thanks again for your example. Jenn
LOVED your post! ...and thanks!
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