The Days are Long, But the Years are Short

It's a saying older, more experienced parents tell you all the time when you have little babies: "One day you'll look back and miss this" as you're trying to quiet a crying baby, or entertain a busy toddler, or stop a sibling fight that is escalating by the minute. And you just look at them and think there is no way I am going to miss this. But then those babies turn into toddlers and learn how to communicate, and those toddlers grow up and go to school, and well... let's face it... those siblings still fight. 

As a mom, you try to not blink and enjoy every second. But the reality is, you do blink. Time does fly by. And you're left wondering have I said "I love you" enough? Did I let them know how special they are to me? Do they know how proud I am of the smart, amazing, kind people they are growing into?

You blink and that chunky little baby girl who made me a mom is now a beautiful tween who is almost taller than me. 

You blink and that little boy who never needed sleep and used to ask questions all day long is now a curious, smart kid who loves to build, and create, and learn. 

You blink and that little girl who followed her brother and sister around all day trying to do everything they did is now a spunky, talkative bundle of energy with a mind of her own. 

And you wonder where the time went?

You notice a lot of things look different to you now. 

You look back at those moments when you had three kids under three and you wondered how you were going to make it until 8:00 bedtime

But now 8:00 pm means car rides home from dance or basketball practice and some of my favorite moments to catch up on what is going on in school and with their friends. 

You notice you are able to go out on more date nights and more vacations with just the two of you and you're getting to know your best friend all over again

You notice your dinner conversations now are about the new opportunities middle school will bring. 

  You notice now instead of watching them play "family" you wave to them as they run off to play at a friends' house.

 You notice now instead of cheering their first steps, you cheer their hard fought win at a basketball game with a reminder to never give up. 

You notice your trip to Disneyland this time meant all kids were running to catch the last ride before the park closed instead of carrying three sleeping kids out of the park in your arms. 

You notice you don't have to push them in the swings at Hanna Land anymore. Instead, you remind them to wear a helmet when they drive the 4-wheelers. 

You look back at those moments and hope you've taught them how to work hard and play hard. 

And to support each other

This new stage of life isn't easy, but in the same way we got through sleepless nights and early mornings, we'll will look back at this stage of life with envy. But not without a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I admire this life and family we've made. 

And in case I haven't told you enough, I love you and am so proud of you.