Monday, May 28, 2012

How to Really Enjoy







The sprinklers turned on.


Sunscreen had been slathered. 

DSC02238


DSC02236

DSC02240

DSC02245DSC02249

DSC02250

I sat down in the wrought iron chair, the warmth of the sun beating down on my back.


The sounds of my four squealing brought delight to my heart.


I watched as they ran, soaked and soggy, treading the length of the yard.

DSC02254


DSC02255

DSC02256

DSC02260

DSC02266

DSC02267

DSC02274DSC02283DSC02276

DSC02281

DSC02288

DSC02289

There are too few moments like these lately.


Most often it’s happening while I do other things.


Preoccupied and consumed with what doesn’t really matter, my days become filled with
tasks instead of the relationships that do.

DSC02297


DSC02300DSC02302

DSC02305

“Look Mom!” the middle ones shout, pleading for my attention as they are working together to fill a bucket. Just a smile and a glance make them happy and I acknowledge the sweetness of the two who are normally fighting but now are united in fun.

I praise the eldest, for aiding his baby sis when she slips and falls.

His hug comforts her enough until she can run to my arms.

DSC02307DSC02308

DSC02315

DSC02321

DSC02322

They all sit on the deck to warm and I share stories about when they were small, the boys just rollie pollie soggy bottomed babies.  Our days then were still busy, but I was more intentional about my time with them.  Less distracted.

DSC02324

DSC02330DSC02325DSC02326

DSC02331

DSC02333

DSC02336DSC02341

Just one more round through the water and a game of Keep Away.

“Please can we eat lunch out here?  Please?”  They all chorus together and how can I refuse those pleading smiles….

“Tell us more stories Mom.  We love your stories!”  And I indulge them with my memories because I love to remember.  And because they’ve given me so much to be thankful for. 

DSC02337


DSC02346DSC02347DSC02348


I’ve listened for so long, to the wisdom of experience mothers who've told me to enjoy it because it goes fast!


And I worry and think I won’t because I don’t know how.


What they forgot to tell me was how....

How do I enjoy it when it’s so hard? How do I truly enjoy this busy phase of life that’s full of messes? Full of drama. Filled to the brim with doubts and choices and worries. How can I enjoy it when all I think about it how much I mess up?

DSC02342

DSC02343

DSC02350DSC02352

The reality is, that to my kids, all that matters is the time I give them.  Watching them play.  Looking at their newest invention.  Bragging over the next watercolor masterpiece.  Cheering them on when they learn a new trick, or master a new skill.  And actually participating in some of that too.


"Let us not love with word or with tongue,
but in deed and truth." 
1 John 3:18

Truthfully, when I sit back and take the time to do those things, I find that I am enjoying life more.  I am less consumed with my check-off lists when I allow myself some grace to not just be an accomplisher but an enjoyer.



I haven't figured it all out yet.  God continues to grow my understanding everyday.

For now I will choose these moments over others.  These ones where they ask me to be there with them. 


These ones that just happen without planning or intention, just intention to be there. 


Right there with them.  The list can wait for now, the cleaning can too.

I'm choosing to be with them without distractions.

That's how I  enjoy this!

Sarah



Be sure to check out my other posts on Mothering:

this moment, A True Friend, On Mothering, an ordinary momma, Meek and Quiet, $7 and a Chocolate Bar, brother love

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Kitten Update {2 weeks}


DSC02397

Oh these little kitties are growing so fast!  They are about double their birth size now.  I noticed last night that they have grown whiskers too.

DSC02398

They usually sleep like this, piled on top of each other when they aren’t nursing.  We’ve kept them in our master closet, which is not ideal, but it seems the only place we can keep them locked away from the 8 sets of hands that want to keep picking them up.
 
DSC02399

They have grown tiny little claws this week and started to open their eyes.  I have even been hissed at by two of them, since their sense of smell is strengthening too.

DSC02400

Maycee has tried to move the kittens a couple of times. So we left her alone with them with very minimal interaction for a couple of days, and that has seemed to help her feel more secure with keeping them in the box.

DSC02401

She wasn’t too fond of the idea that I had moved the box to get a few pictures of them.  She is a great momma and still very protective!

DSC02403

(Click here to see them on their birthday.)