This weekend I have felt that I'm treading water and slowly sinking. As fast as I seem to be picking up toys, folding clothes, throwing away garbage I see endless piles of fruit snack wrappers on the couch (and under it). I find socks and shoes everywhere, towels and headbands disregarded and left carelessly wherever. Graham cracker crumbs and half glasses of milk on the counter, wet mittens and boots left by the back door and dresser drawers left gaping open.
Ella cleaned her room all by herself today. I don't know why I was surprised when I found this behind her closet doors.
Not only do we have toys creeping out of their boxes from under the bed, we have hot wheels tracked actually taped to the wall! Yes that is a Halloween sticker from the dental office up there too.
Bay blades and Nerf gun bullets are left under foot all around the house.
As I was non stop packing, making sure not to leave a single necessary item at home, I made their beds and cleaned their rooms in order to come home to a peaceful home. Ethan and Ella have been wanting to sleep in the guest room instead of their own beds. They went to bed as I finished cleaning out the fridge before we leave for over a week. Once I finished that job, I went in to check on them and found that they both decided to sleep in their own beds- so now I have every bed in the house to make at 4:00 in the morning before we leave for our vacation. I know my family loves me and I am thankful to have them but sometimes I feel as if I am spinning my wheels in circles without making any real progress. I was expressing my frustrations to Kent when Ella brought me this picture and said, "I love you mommy. Thank you for doing so much for us. Don't be sad."
Later I came across this quote and it couldn't have been any more fitting than the moment in life that I am in right now.
I love my little babies and I am thankful that I had this gentle reminder that I will not always be "blessed enough" to have these sweet kids in my home forever and that I don't need to worry so much about how I am lacking on having the perfectly cleaned house. When my children leave my home I want them to remember the love I have for them. I will miss these days "profoundly" and I don't want to regret the time that I might waste being frustrated that I cannot keep up. I am glad to have inspired people that remind us of what really matters.
1 comment:
What a sweet post! We are still being reminded about those absolutely chaotic days when all the kids were around--and we do miss it! You are such a great mother who loves your children so much and plans such great adventures for them, that is the thing they will take with them when they leave.
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