Monday, February 25, 2013

Warm Weather and Warm Thoughts

The girls have been nuts over play doh lately (I mean really, what toddler isn't?) I'm sure the fact that we have been trapped indoors has contributed to this obsession, but they want to play with it all.the.time. I also found a super fun little pack of cut-outs and play doh tools that they (and maybe me a little bit) have really loved. I just thought this sweet little scene we created below was a lovely reminder that we can make it through the rest of this dreary winter. I hate to sound like one of those people who is never content whatever the season (wanting fall in the summer, summer in the winter, blah blah blah), so I'm forcing myself choosing to look at our ginormous amount of time spent indoors as an opportunity to spend more quality time with my precious little monkeys. 

And also an opportunity to do some reflecting. It's funny how losing your mind on a daily basis brings this about...

As insane as our days are, they are blossoming into such incredible little ladies. A lot of nights, we put Burke down about an hour before them, so we get a lot of one on one time with them both. Any parent with multiple children knows how precious that is. I really cherish that time I get with just my girls to giggle, tickle, snuggle, and love on them. A prayer I've been praying a lot lately is that God would help me to seize these precious moments and not take them for granted. Our days are crazy. Every single one of them. If Burke isn't needing to be fed/changed/bathed/played with, the girls are needing those things, too. There are whole days that go by that by the end, I can hardly remember a single detail other than filling up sippy cups, bottles, changing diapers, and the million other things that have to be done every day (oh, and did I actually play with Burke or did he just sit in the jumperoo/have stuffed animals thrown at his head or sit on the floor with toys the entire day?) and feel that wave of mom guilt wash over me because I'm not sure if I even took ten seconds to really look into my babies' faces. I know that when God brought these miracles into our lives, He had a specific plan. It was hilariously different than my plan, but when I have the clarity to try and see things through His eyes, I know that it is all to mold me to be more like Him, and less like the perfectly in control mom and wife I try my darndest to be every day. It's a painful thing for me to let that go. Really, really painful. 

Slow down, Stephanie. Breathe this in, forget the things that aren't important. Focus on what I'm trying to show you. 

And when I can do that, when I can let the dishes, smashed goldfish in the carpet, crayon on the wall, all go, I know that watching four chubby little hands make a play doh sunshine while I hold my smiley seven month old is what I live for. It's what I prayed for exactly three years ago. If you had told me in February of 2010 that this would be my life in three years, I would have danced for joy and praised God for being too good to me. I wouldn't have believed you that I could have three beautiful, healthy babies when all I wanted was one. 

And then I would take a friggin chill pill over thinking I'd never get pregnant.


So I hope that all of my dear mom friends reading this, who I know are all getting a giant dose of "quality" time with their little rug rats, feel a ray of hope and warmth in knowing you are all rockstars and an inspiration to me. 

Oh, and spring will be here in approximately 5-6 weeks. 

I also maybe think this is a sign we need to take a tropical vacay soon? 

P.S. HERE is another link to more fun toddler activities. Thanks Natalie! ;)

xoxo

1 comment:

  1. Ah, thanks for the shout out Stephanie! =) I want you to know that I love your blog, it's hilarious. My bff (christen foster) and I will always be like, "did you read Stephani's blog?" It's hilarious, you tell it like it is girl and I love it. Hope all is well!!! =)

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