My new favorite quote:
The days are long, but the years are short.
Some days that about sums up how I feel as a mom. I know that God only gives us what we are able to handle, but sometimes I wish that there was more of me to go around. That is especially true since our homeschool year has begun. I spend a lot of time with my kids each day as we eat, learn, and play together, but I want to make lasting memories with them, too. With four young children to love, teach, correct, counsel, and train, I struggle to find individual "fun" time with each child. One-on-one time just for them. Time to play a game or lie on our backs looking up at the clouds. Time to listen to their silly stories and actually pay attention. Time to really enjoy just being with them.
Bookworm is my firstborn. She is loving, intelligent, talented, and creative. She's the smartest third grader I've ever met! She is also the child that I expect too much from. Although she is with me throughout the day and included in many activities, she doesn't get the snuggling and kisses that the little ones get, but I'm working on that! The Lord has convicted me to spend more time tying heart strings and nurturing my relationship with her.
I decided to take Bookworm out to lunch. We ate at a cozy little cafe where she ordered a corn dog and chips. Next, we went window shopping in a nearby town. We had so much fun browsing in several antique shoppes. She made cute comments about some of the things we saw. We shared an ice cream cone together and discussed the virtues of cookie dough ice cream--you know, the really important things in life! Bookworm was thrilled with all we had done, but I wasn't finished yet! She had never had a manicure before, so I took her to get one. She was squealing when she realized that she would be getting the royal treatment. She picked out a very pretty nail polish color, and the nail tech even added flower embellishments on her cute little fingers. Best $10 I ever spent! She practiced her princess wave the whole way home.
Later that night when I took a picture of her hands, I remembered that in a few more years those precious little hands will be as big as mine. Oh, to cherish each day we have together!
We made some memories she will never forget. I won't forget, either.
