Majestic Moments

The other morning, I was speeding around the house, trying to get everything deep cleaned because we had a babysitter coming that night.  Why is it that it takes a babysitter or someone coming over for me to get motivated to deep clean all day and get things sparkly? I sure wish we could afford to have them come over more often.. my house would sure look better!

Anyway, Ethan was having a bad morning.  It could have very well been the fact that I wasn't paying too much attention to him.  He would follow me room to room, crying and hitting me with things.  I felt bad, but there was just so much to get done.

It took me a minute, but I soon realized he was hitting me with his favorite book, The Foot Book, and kept trying to push me down to the ground to read it.

It was there in that moment that I remembered what matters most.  What was more important.. a clean house or story time with my rapidly growing boy? At that moment I knew and feelings of love and guilt wash over me.  My kids aren't going to remember if our house was clean every single day, but they will remember the moments that I stopped what I was doing and made them a priority.

I immediately sat down, right in the middle of the hallway and read, The Foot Book with my Ethan.  I found myself watching intensely as he giggled at his favorite parts and I soaked up the way he felt in my lap.  The perfect way he fits right on my crossed legs and nestled in my chest.  Oh, my sweet boy is growing up and what a special moment we had together.  I'm so grateful that he's so patient with me and the time that it takes for me to 'get it'.

After reading our book 6 times, I decided that we could make this a win-win situation.  After we finished the book, I had him run and find another.  In those few mins, I'd clean like mad until he returned.  Then we'd enjoy another book together.  Afterwards, he'd run for another and I'd clean as much as I could.  It was the perfect balance for the both of us. Ethan just simply loves story time.

I find myself doing this routine quite often now.  Recently, it's been while I'm trying to get ready for the day. It'll be a little make up here... then a story.. a little bit more makeup.. then a story.  At times, I think to myself how nice it'll be when I can just simply get ready for the day, but then I'm overcome with deep sadness with the realization that is coming faster than I want it to.  Not before long, all my babes will be in school and I'll have plenty of mornings to get ready all by myself.  I'm sure I'll crave those days of reading stories in between blush and mascara.  This time with them is sacred.  Each and every day.

Motherhood can be such a challenge and at the same time, everyday I'm so grateful for this gift! It's a joy to be a 'stay at home' mom.  I cherish the milestones I witness daily, I relish in the moments when I connect with one of my children on a deeper level and I adore this time with them.  I definitely have rough days.. days when I look forward to bedtime, when I can sit and not be asked for one single thing.  But truly, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have the most wonderful and perfect children for me. Each day is a blessing and I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for this unique, sacred and humbling opportunity.