Yesterday we took our kiddos to Disneyland. We did a half day, so we left just after lunch. When we got home, the kids still had tons of energy. (It doesn’t seem fair, even a half day tires me out but they have energy to spare). So we took the kids out to play on the swing set in the back yard to hopefully expend some excess energy and have an early bed time.
My husband was pushing the three boys on their swings, each one of them screaming with glee and calling out “Higher daddy, higher.” I was climbing up the ladder to chase after our youngest, Lilly. She was laughing because she realized that I was chasing after her. Mr. Train commented to the boys that he was excited about dinner and that he was going to have a huge plate of pasta and sausage. The boys cheered along with him.
Right then and there I wish I could have stopped time. Love and happiness filled my heart. We weren’t doing anything fancy, just playing on a play set. Everyone was excited about the dinner I was going to make (which was a throw together in minutes type of dinner) and no one was bickering or fighting. It was just a great moment that I know I will cherish in my heart for a long time. Not because we were doing something extravagant or expensive, but we were just there with each other enjoying the afternoon. It seemed funny to me because we had spent the better part of the day at Disneyland. We took the kids on rides and had a special Disneyland cookie, but that’s not the part of the day I locked in on. Just simply playing together as a family and talking about dinner was what reminded me about how great things are.
Sometimes there is a brief second where the hectic life stops and everyone just goes for a swing.
As a mother of four kids I often rush though my day trying to check things off my To Do list, without really taking the time to appreciate the special little moments. I wonder how many sweet or funny interactions I miss when I call out “just a second” in response to a “Mommy come here.” During any given day I am pulled in so many directions that I can’t possibly do it all. Often I find myself criticizing my choices and not getting enough done, but I need to remind myself that life is good and I need to enjoy it.
Parenthood is not without its challenges, but it is the best thing I have ever done. When asked if I would do it all again if I could make the choice, my answer is yes, in a heartbeat. I would marry the same man and have the same four beautiful children. They stress me out and drive me crazy some days, but they also bring me some of my greatest joys and peace in my heart. I just have to take the time to relax and let it happen.
nothing melts my heart more than witnessing some daddy daughter time.
This next week I am going to challenge myself to stop and look for these little moments and let myself live in them without thinking about all the chores and responsibilities that are waiting for me.
Have you had a moment like this that reminded you to stop, relax, and enjoy your life?
blogger / pomegranate / 3201 posts
I love this post! I have to remind myself of this daily. So many days I’m tired after work and just want to relax or take care of some chores so I can go to bed earlier, but Liam is there, ready to play and when I put in the extra effort to live in the moment with him, my day is so much better!
apricot / 377 posts
Good for you! I’m going to bookmark and save this to remember when my little one is born. It’s so important to take time to be grateful and you reminded me to do this. So thank you.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Beautiful post, and my heart totally melted reading about your sweet moment in time! Totally keeping this in mind for when DS is here. Chores will always be here requesting to be done, but my growing son won’t wait on me!
pomelo / 5178 posts
What a beautiful sentiment. I am also guilty of rushing too much and not relaxing and enjoying the present. It’s something I want to get better at.
Also, that is an awesome mural on your back fence! I love it!
pomegranate / 3858 posts
Lovely thoughts.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Yes, all the time. M is growing up WAY too fast so it reminds me just stop and snuggle with her!
pear / 1837 posts
Ok, tell me about that wall in the background of your last photo. Is that your backyard? Because that is awesome.
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
Love this post. I struggle with it every day – before and after work it’s rush rush rush and often I don’t stop to take it all in.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
This is to sweet!
pear / 1743 posts
@Lozza: haha that’s what my first thought was too!
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
@Honeybee: @Lozza: @SweetMamaM: it is my parents backyard. My dad just retired and he wanted to set up his backyard for the kids so they out in a playground and I got the mural painted for him. It’s a sort of fantasy science with a dragon guarding a nest and a knight, wizard and Mage fighting it. It is pretty awesome.
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
@mrs. tictactoe: @winniebee: after work can be so hard. I know my husband struggles with that. The kids just want to play with him and he is just tired.
coconut / 8079 posts
Beautiful post! A great reminder to stop & enjoy the little things.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
This is a very sweet post.
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
Beautiful!!! It amazes me how even the simple, mundane things here can provide the greatest joy…
guest
Thank you for this lovely reminder.