Today is dark and dreary in contrast to the sunny and mild winter days before. The snow has been washed away by the rain leaving us with a yard of mud, dead looking grass and bare trees.
In what seems like a nearly impossible feat, this winter season has become a time of rest and pause. We’ve stayed close to home. Alex and I have had to dig deeper in our parenting and decision-making, but I’m hopeful that all of this pruning will bear much fruit. We’re talking about the future, re-adjusting our priorities and soaking up the present.
All of this reflection has helped me to clearly see the beautiful rhythms we have created with our days. This is contrast is both helpful and necessary as more often than I’d care to admit, I can all too easily get caught up in our challenges. I’ve stepped back and seen how our family thrives on routine. Our days are predictable, our evenings familiar. And we get to see the benefits of this daily; as William leads us in prayer before dinner, Charlie signs and says bath time after clearing his plate, and Henry gathering books and his cup of ice before bed.
I’ve also been soaking up my blessed mornings with William. All of my saying *no* to outside obligations and commitments is finally paying off, our mornings are almost our own. It’s hard to know if its circumstances or my own personal growth as a mother but my patience seems to have multiplied, and my willingness to simply *just be* with my child is the priority. It is a pleasure, not one of my many tasks of the day. Is this terrible to admit? Perhaps this is the difference between a seasoned mother and a new mother? {And by *seasoned* I mean only in the baby/toddler/preschool category…grade-school and up I’m green as they come.}
We’re going on more *adventures,* simple surprises that are a big deal in the eyes of our little ones and still manageable for mom. Visits to the frozen yogurt place, a doughnut date, getting to walk alongside mom at the grocery and *help* put things in the cart. These things are a really big deal. I love that my boys know how to seek out joy in our daily life, no fancy trips, or shiny new toys required.
It’s easy to get frustrated as the world tries hard to rush our children through childhood. And so I work so hard to give them a safe and protected environment at home. A setting that encourages kids to be kids. Cool nerds if you will. Which is why my heart practically sings when I watch my boys get excited about building towers or playing with their wooden trains. This is why I hesitate to schedule any extra activities. Our precious time together – these moments when all three boys are playing for what seems like hours – I want to protect that childhood treasure.
Isn’t that so nice??? I see William’s hair is darkening to look more like Henry’s. I think Charlie will be like his sweet Mama……isn’t that so nice???