I spent a few minutes looking for a high school graduation picture of me but came up with nothing. So here I am as a baby. 18 months, 18 years, what's the difference really? I'm sure I've posted this picture before but looking at it now I can almost see a little of Ida. Maybe it's the wispy-haired, wild-eyed look. She apparently inherited that from me.When I received my favorite babysitter's graduation announcement in the mail today, and then again when I thought about how the last Lakers game I watched in its entirety was probably in 2000, it occurred to me that I graduated from high school 10 years ago. I have only been getting about an e-mail a day for the past month to remind me to RSVP to my 10-year reunion, but somehow it only hit me today.
Everyone older than me says it just keeps going faster. Fortunately--and I have been thinking about this, are you surprised?--I have been feeling really good about the ways I'm spending my time lately. Sure, I should probably be sleeping rather than blogging right now, but I mean in my daily activities. My house is a complete mess. The dishes and laundry barely get done. I am barely staying on top of my calling at church and my job at the preschool. I am not exactly winning any awards for keeping in touch with family and friends. (sorry about that) But at least I am cheerful when Matt gets home and lately I realized that I have been hanging out with my kids a lot. Not just doing other stuff with them underfoot (although I do that too) but really kinda ditching other, non-pressing stuff just to laze out with them.
The kids and I spent all afternoon in the playroom today, listening to music, occasionally fighting, occasionally laughing, occasionally, um, yelling (sometimes yelling is in order with these people who sit on each other and poke each other in the face) but mostly just playing or reading. I looked over at Theo deep in thought over a puzzle, and Ida setting up her dollhouse just so, and thought to myself that, at least for now while the rest of life hasn't caught up with me yet, I am 100% happy with the way I am spending my time with them. I'm sure I'll have regrets about things I did or didn't say or do in other areas of my life, but right now I think I'm doing a pretty good job of, for instance, soaking in the beautiful laziness that a summer afternoon with 2 tiny kids (in a really messy house) can be.
Update: Babs came through with a graduation photo of me. I'm sure this was the best she could find. Don't be scared.
4 comments:
I think you are doing exactly what you should be doing. Laundry, dishes, friends, and a clean home can all come later. Spending time watching your kids grow up is so much more important. Not to mention being happy when your husband comes home. They do grow up fast (and get attitudes) so relish these sweet days while you can!
I don't know if I know "Liz" or not - but she's right on the money!!
Can't wait to see all of you!!
I did a lot of that when my first three children were little. I haven't done it so much with hazel. And that is my regret. My goal is to spend more low key time with all my kids in general this summer. Spending time with your children is a much better memory than cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes. Way to go!
That baby picture of you does look a lot like Ida.
Who cares about cleaning? Much more fun to play.
Post a Comment