It All Gets Done in the End

I know that my kids won't be kids for long; and before they reach the age where they fly the coop, they will still be kids but won't want to be at home with mom and dad all the time. Payton is 7, almost 8, and she loves to be over at her friend Jentry's house or have Jentry over here. Either way, we don't see her until snacks or a meal are being served. My boys are just 3 (almost 4) and 1 (almost 2). They still have a few years until they are where Payton is, but I know they are coming. My goal as a mom is to remember that my children will only be children for a finite period of time. The objectives of reaching that goal is to remember that they don't want a mom who is always tired from cleaning, folding laundry, cooking dinner, cleaning up after dinner and then being more than axious for them to get in bed so I can clean the family room and finally have a second to sit down and unwind. Because I work outside of the home, the weekends are when I usually try to catch up on chores.


Yesterday, Saturday, was a different day for me. I made a concerted effort to just let it be. I kept thinking, don't spend the time now to do all of this. The kitchen was a mess, there were four baskets of laundry that needed to be folded and beds needed to be made. I chose to ignore it and sit on the couch and play with my baby. Eli and I had the best 20 minutes that we've had in a long time. Benjamin was sleeping and Roy had taken Payton and Jentry to a local sporting goods store. Eli and I laughed and talked and kissed and just loved on each other. It was the sweetest time between mother and son, and tears are coming to my eyes as I type this. I have Eli to thank for the realization that what we did together is what MATTERS. I mean, I knew in theory, that that's what mattered but now I have experienced it. I don't mean to sound like the mom who has three kids and just feeds, shelters and clothes them. I have had some really sweet times with my other two as well, but in the back of my mind I was always worried how I was going to get my "stuff" done. Eli won't remember those 20 minutes but I will. I will also remember that I was still able to spend time with my child and look forward to so many more moments like that with Eli as well as with Benjamin and Payton.

Today, I believe that Roy had the same sort of experience with Benjamin. They left shortly after church and went to the woods and stomped around and did what boys do in the woods. They were gone several hours and Roy kept telling me what a good time that they had. Eli was here with me while Payton had to go back to her mother's house. While Eli took his nap, I was able to get my housework done. I can't be dishonest and say that having an orderly house isn't important to me, and I think children thrive in a structured home; but they thrive moreso on love and attention. And as I sit here and type this post, my kitchen floors are clean, sheets have been changed, laundry folded and put away, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, Roy and I both had some really good moments with our children. I have now learned what will come first, because the other stuff all gets done in the end.

Blessings,

Leslie