Laughing or Lying?

I took Sadie to participate in a preschool music class demonstration at Harding today.  At first she said she didn't want to go but I assured her that if she gave it a chance, she really would have a good time.  Of course, I was right. ;)

Her behavior during the class really had me inwardly chuckling most of the time.  She was kind of shy and clingy at first, which is not all that unusual but it did seem to take her a little longer to finally warm up to the group.  She smiled the whole time, giving the instructor (who was singing nearly the entire time) looks that seemed to say, "I'm still not sure about you yet.  You're singing everything you're saying.  I'm not used to that and really don't know what to make of it.  It's kind of creeping me out a little." lol  Anytime the teacher came near her or she was the center of attention, her face turned bright red.

Once she finally warmed up to the group, everything was funny.  She giggled at every song and every activity.  I really savor seeing my children enjoying themselves so much.  A child's laughter is so much more precious than an adult's.  They have little inhibition at that age and their happiness just seems to burst from their pores, from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes.  I love that.  I want to be more like that.  Free from any worry or stress.  Free to just squeal, jump up and down, and basically act like a fool without giving any thought to what other people may think of my behavior.  Wouldn't that be a sight to see?  How exhilarating.  How liberating that must be!

Of course, not everything about childhood is commendable.  For instance, Sadie told her entire class that we have a rabbit at home in a cage.  She even went so far as to tell them how we have to feed it food and water every day.  Yeah.  We don't have a rabbit.  In fact, we don't have any pets at all.  A vivid imagination is a wonderful thing.  Lying, on the other hand...not so much.  Unfortunately, many of us grown-ups find it easier to lie than to laugh like a child.  Personally, I'm gonna make a change.  Wanna join me? ;)

And since it was a music class...(and I know you already have this song in your head now, right?  Well, if you are anything like me, that is.)  Plus, it's just a fun song and lying isn't the only change we need to make... :)

If You Fix Your Kid a Breakfast...

Ever have one of those days where you are jumping around from one thing to the next?  You know, like all those "If You Give A (fill in the blank)" books portray?  Yeah, I'm having one today.  I fix the kids' breakfast and while they are eating, I think this is the perfect time to email my scouts since the computer is now available.  After sending the emails, I realize I haven't eaten yet so I go to the kitchen and see the dirty dishes piled in the sink and think to myself, "I should go ahead and load the dishwasher first.  It will only take a minute."  While standing at the sink, I notice the dirt on the wall which reminds me that I need to pick up some dry erasers on my next trip to the store.  This sends me on a search for a memo pad so I can write that down before I forget.  While searching, I see the papers on the table that need to be filed away.  I grab a couple of the papers to put in the boys' binders that are in the living room.  While in the living room, I see the laundry on the couch which reminds me that I need to fold those and put them away but first I should swap out what is currently in the washer and dryer just to keep things moving along.  I have to go through the kitchen to get to the laundry room.  While in the kitchen, I notice that I'm still holding the papers and I still haven't eaten anything yet.  Well, at least the dishwasher is running.  Now, what was it I needed at the store? ;)

If I Could Keep You Little...

I can't believe my little one is now three years old!!  Where does the time go?  I realized a couple weeks before her birthday that she had reached the age that Jackson was when she was born.  That may not mean much to most people, but for us (and particularly me) it's a milestone.  To many it sounds ridiculous to even think about, but this is strange territory for me.  I mean, Jackson was 15 months old when Josiah was born and Josiah was 21 months old (Jackson nearly 3) when Sadie was born.  In fact, we calculated not too long ago that I had been either pregnant and/or nursing from August 2004 until April 2010.  That's nearly six years!  (I can't even imagine how Mrs. Duggar feels.)  Besides all that, age three is the time a child can legitimately be considered a "preschooler".  Toddlerhood is definitely a thing of the past.  Now do you understand why I feel like I should be taking care of another newborn?

With motherhood, I feel like I'm in my element...that this is what I was born to be.  I know I'll always be a mother, even if my children leave this earth before I do (heaven forbid!), but they won't always need me like they have and like they do now.  Don't get me wrong.  I want my kids to grow up and accomplish new things, discover new things, become responsible adults.  Still, it's bittersweet.  Sometimes you just want to freeze time, you know?  When my kids were younger, their dependence could get on my nerves sometimes and seemingly come at the most inconvenient times.  I find myself missing those days.  They still depend on me for many things, but there's much more they can do for themselves now...and that's as it should be.

My parents gave me a children's book for Christmas last year called If I Could Keep You Little... .  I read it to the kids last night before bedtime and nearly cried.  So much of it speaks to our family personally.  I thought of Jackson, our singer and kindergarten reader.  I thought of Sadie, our fashionista.  I thought of Josiah, our cuddler who also requests peculiar ways to cut his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  They are growing up.  They are becoming who they were meant to be.  I cherish the past, relish in the present, and look forward to the future.  May God grant me the time to witness their transformation.  May God grant me the wisdom to know when to hold on...and when to let go.