Being Thankful

When you're in the midst of having babies and little ones, you don't realize what you have until it's gone.  When I had Emma, seasoned moms told me it would go by fast.  I took their words to heart.  But even still, it went too, too fast!

I kept a friend's 4-month old one day last week.  The next morning I saw the washed bottle we had given him the day before and wanted to run down to her house to get him again!

Life for me right now is pretty easy.  Meaning, I don't have diapers to change.  I don't have feedings to keep up with.  I can even skip naps if I want to.  I don't have sippy cups to fill.  No baby food to spoon out. No diaper bags or pacifiers to keep up with.  No burp cloths and bibs to wash.  I don't even give baths.

I've come to realize the work that comes with having kids is less about how many you have and more about how old they are.

I also realize what it's like to have something and then not have it and miss it sooo much.

I promised during our cold winter months that I would never complain about the heat of summer again (I don't care for cold weather at all!).  And if I ever get the chance to have my own little ones again, I promise never to complain about all the work required to take care of them.

I share this to hopefully encourage some of you moms of little ones or soon to be moms. I know how tiring it is. I was reminded last week of how much work it is.  But pray that God would help you enjoy pregnancy.  Enjoy spit up and nasty diapers.  Enjoy little bitties wanting to be held.  Enjoy potty training.  Enjoy being asked to play cars or blocks or baby dolls. Enjoy interuptions and not being able to get it all done.

When you want to complain, ask God to show you what to be thankful for.  And I will promise to do the same for all that's involved with my stage of motherhood.