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Monday, March 14, 2011

Thankfully, a reminder...

Anna, Logan and Grace lying in the grass in front of the Hill Garden last September.


   Our family went out for breakfast yesterday- a rare treat!  We sat at the table, my husband and I both working as fast as we could to keep up with the many needs of three young children.  We were consumed with cutting food, keeping the baby from dumping all our drinks, hoping the three-year-old would not yell too many times, etc. And though it was going well (meaning no one was wearing their pancakes yet), we were preoccupied with the working.

Three ladies at the table behind us began talking to our kids, exchanging waves with the baby.  Our kids were making their day.  At the end of the meal we heard, "What nice children you have! They are so well behaved."

      And I realized that I was working so hard, I was missing it again. 
                We were not enjoying the moment. We needed their outside perspective.

Yes, every drink could have ended up in my lap - but it didn't! Yes, Anna could have shouted in her excitement until they all wished we would just leave - but she didn't!

Not only were there no disasters, but there were smiles... moments to sit and cheerfully help them... moments to draw them close in a hug...

So, I am writing this as a reminder to myself of what I long to cherish and enjoy now, 
   not just in 20 years when they are gone.

And I am writing it to brag on my kids, whom I love more than I can say,
   and because you all have reminded me too... they are a blessing!

trying to keep on counting...
thankful for...
  • Anna-rosie-posie who wakes up singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" at the top of her lungs in the morning... every morning!
  • little girls who squeal at pancakes with chocolate chips
  • baby boy waves and shy smiles
  • Grace who has officially grown another 1/4 inch tall since last week
  • three mommies past their season that loved on our children
  • eating food cooked by someone else 
  • sisters who like to play together
  • school posters covering my walls because they are learning!
  • Judy, who reminded me of the lesson of thankfulness again at the end of the day
  • Olivia, for being here again to help us do life this morning
  • my husband, who likes lots of hugs in the morning


10 comments:

  1. Beautiful children :-) And thanks for the reminder to give thanks in everything. Blessings abound.

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  2. Love being at your house, Julie!
    Looking forward to seeing you and your family lots more this week!
    ~Olivia

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  3. I came from Ann’s today.

    And amen – the time flies. I heard someone say that the days of a mom are endless – and the years like days.

    My favorite from your list? sisters who like to play together (because they will have each other always – through squabbles and rivalries – they will lean on each other)

    This was so good. Thank you. God Bless.

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  4. I felt a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye reading this -- especially the phrase "I was missing it again." I know the feeling! My kids are 22 and 17, and there were many moments along the way when I had to remind myself to live in the moment. That feeling still hits when I have special times with them. Your kids are precious!

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  5. You have beautiful children. I remember the anxiety of bringing young children to a restaurant (or to an airplane)... I was mostly so consumed with worry over their behavior that I couldn't remember afterward what I ate (did I eat at all?). I am glad you find the time to enjoy the moment.

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  6. What a beautiful blog you have! Thank you for stopping by to visit yesterday. You are welcome any time!

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  7. Healthy and beautiful children are a blessing from God!

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  8. The past few days, I've been "missing it again!" I don't have children here, but there are so many things I'm missing == all because I let some "hard" thing get in my line of vision. I focussed on it. Wouldn't let it out of my thoughts and vision. And it got bigger and bigger until I saw nothing of the rest of the day -- full of God's graces, his goodness, and yes, even His answers. Thank you so very much for the reminders through your sweet children that I need to wake up singing, go through the day seeing and listing, and fall asleep at night with another song and a heart full of faith! Just wonderful! I'm so glad I started my day here today!

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  9. I'm glad you stopped to enjoy the moment. They really are gone in an instant.

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  10. Love the picture of your little ones! And the thoughts. :)

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