Dinosaurs and Tea Parties

 

Wow how time flies when you are having fun! 

 

My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in April and are now officially the parents of a 1yr old and a 4yr old.  It seems like yesterday that we were just in high school and passing each other in the hallway.  Time has a way of sneaking up on you and blowing right past without you ever really noticing. 

 

Since the addition of our second blessing last June, our life has been in a constant state of always being "on the go"....going to work, school, drop-off, pick-up, practice, meetings,  managing schedules...and the list goes on and on.  I know it doesn't sound much different than most people's lives with young children but the constant rushing around has really gotten to me.  I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, teacher and friend.  Each of these are very deserving of my time and energy but my priorities are out of balance and I am spreading myself way to thin!  So thin that I am not able to enjoy my life as I know God had intended.

 

On a typical day, I am up before anyone in the house starts to stir and long after everyone is  sound to sleep.  I feel like I am giving it my all but find that even with all of the effort, I am barely treading water.   My husband and I are caught in a virtual relay race.  I rush in from picking up the kiddos after work and when he comes home from work it is his turn to corral them so that I can get something somewhat edible on the table.  We are constantly passing the baton to each other. 

 

I know what you are saying..."You should walk in my shoes for a day"!  I understand that this may not seem like a lot to someone else but it weighs heavy on my heart.  God has bestowed upon us an awesome responsibility of being  parents and it's not something  that I take lightly.  The constant running, rushing and busyness have allowed countless moments to pass by in which I have missed the beauty of God revealing His wonder in my life.  I am making a conscience decision to take it slower and relish in the moment instead of wishing it away.  My babies will only be little once and all too soon will they be grown up.  I don't want to look back on these years with regret.                            

Regret that I....

~didn't stop to play dinosaurs & tea party

~passed up the chance to snuggle in bed and watch a movie

~was always in a hurry   

~may have answered my phone or checked FB before I tended to a whiny toddler

 

I am aware that every day is a gift. From this moment forward, I choose to live intentional and make the best of this beautiful life we have going on.  After much prayer and discussion, we have decided to make a giant shift towards balancing our life.  We are stepping out on Faith and putting our trust in the Lord. 

                           I am now officially a STAY-AT-HOME MOM!!! 

We may not be able to do all of the things we used to do, purchase things on a whim, or take that big exotic vacation.  But you know what????  That's perfectly fine with me.  All of those things that we did previously were the same things that caused the chaos in the first place.  So let me apologize in advance for the times when you visit and the house is a mess, you call and I don't answer on the first ring or text and I don't respond until much later. I am busy....busy making memories!!!  If you need me, I will be playing at the park, having a picnic in the backyard and even lying in the grass pointing out "cloud animals".

 

So let me leave you with a prayer......

 

~Amanda~