David 1st grade. Jenny Pre-K.
I've been looking through a lot of old memorabilia lately, as I try to clean and organize all our pictures and junk that needs to be scrapped (in a book), or s.c.r.a.p.p.e.d (into the trash). I know I have many parenting years ahead of me. Possibly the hardest? Who knows? Those sleepless infant nights were no picnic. And I'm sure the sleepless "he's got the car tonight" nights will also be hard. But the in-between times. Those times between correcting, rebuking, and all the "chore" parts--priceless. Times like:- pumpkin carving
- watching TV shows together in our big blue bed (yes, at 11 and 13, we still call it this)
- listening to stories as mom reads aloud
- listening as a disappointed 11 year old girl pours out her heart about the trials of middle school
- listening to an elated 11 year old girl's stories of faith and fun as we drive home from camp
- listening (in the van, again) and discussing bass line rhythms in music with my teenage son
- watching my husband speak ever so gently to my kids when I can't seem to find my nice words
- praying over each kid as they head out of the van and into school--that they be salt and light and Jesus in skin. That they be safe and bless others and what He would have them learn
- eating our Friday night pizza together (and anything else--especially brownies, cookies, donuts, etc).
- going to the gym and working out with my son--who does his best, even though it's hard to make his body go exactly how and where he wants it to go.
- appreciating my daughter's most excellent effort at math--a subject that really should not be included in heaven. Just sayin.
- wondering...just where in the world all the time has gone.
And I'm finding...even those hard times. The correcting and rebuking and dealing with eye-rolling times? They go fast, too. Note to self: Praise loudly, and blame softly.
