Savoring the Stuff

What stuff you ask??? All of it. Everything.... I am always so upset and sad at how fast the boys are growing up. I feel like I miss it even though I'm right here. Then it hit me - I was missing it. By rushing, putting silly things like unloading the dishwasher first, not really watching when they say "Look Mommy, watch this!", not stopping whatever non important thing I was doing when they wanted to tell me something. All this was making me miss SO much. I missed the sparkle and excitement in their eyes when I didn't look away from what I was doing. I also missed the disappointment in their eyes as they walked away from my mumble of... " Oh, that's nice sweetie." I try so hard to be the perfect homemaker, teacher, and mommy that I was blowing all of it!
NO MORE! I will listen to what those sweet little voices are saying. I WILL get dirty and play hard, I will watch them do tricks on their bikes, I will push them on the swing even though they can do it themselves, I will LAUGH with my kids. I will SAVOR THE STUFF!!! Butterflies and ants, rocks and dirt, stories and quiet time, tickles and giggles. Even crabby times and sad times - Yes savor those too.
We were 3 minutes late for Alex's gymnastic class tonight because the boys just had to do one more thing with their Legos. I did not yell, I did not rush, I did not get crabby. I got down on the floor and listened...really listened to what it was they were so intent on. Then, we all went to get in the truck - Zac in his cowboy boots and shorts (he was right - he did look good) I did not change his shoes, I did not speed, I did not stress. All this and we were only 3 minutes late. Very worth it. Savor the stuff.
Tonight, I rocked Zac to sleep - not at all worried that he will never learn to go to sleep on his own or that I will still be rocking him when he is 20 - but feeling very blessed to be able to hold him in my arms and give him what he needs right now. I lingered by Alex's bed tonight after saying good-night to hear what exciting stuff happened in gymnastics. I did not rush out saying "that's nice honey, now go to sleep." Instead, I savored. When Ethan's sweet and hushed voice whispered "Mommy, I don't suppose you have time to lay with me do you?" I snuggled him for all he was worth. Am I spoiling them? Nope, not at all - I'm spoiling me! I'm savoring the stuff and from now on, I will continue to do so for as long as I live.