Be Still

   I find more and more that I am running all day trying to make sure my kids are taken care of and dinner is fixed, and my husband is ready to leave for work. Making sure my kiddos are doing their schooling, chores and finding a bit of time for me (which is rare, but I am fine with that.).  Yesterday while reading books, giving some mommy cuddles and cleaning house I realized how fast my babies are growing. It seems like just yesterday we welcomed out first daughter into this world...I kept asking myself over and over how did this happen? My oldest will be 8, my middle man will be 5 and our baby will be 3...time needs to slow down!

 So after they were tucked away in bed I sat and realized that time will not slow down, I need to.  God has given me this wonderful gift of motherhood and I am not taking all the time to fully capture every single moment with them. I try, believe me I do. But dishes can wait when Emma (2) is pulling on my pant leg wanting hugs, dusting can wait when my son wants me to read him a book, and folding laundry can wait when my daughter Grace (7) wants to sit and chat...my chores can wait.  I feel overwhelmed at times, and feel like I am not giving them 100% because so much 'needs' to be done. But they are only this age for a short while so why not enjoy it with them.  They are always wanting and eager to help me with chores and what not and I usually just tell them to go and sit down, or go play because I need to get things done. Not any more! I have made a promise to myself and my family, and let them help in any way they want to. Not to be so quick to turn them away, because deep down I know how they feel and I see the look on their faces and it hurts.

God has been showing me this and putting it on my heart for awhile. But I was so 'busy' I never fully listened and actually took it in. So last night as I was reading  my devotional before bed it hit me like a ton of bricks. 'BE STILL, things can wait but they need you now.' At that moment I knew what I needed to do for myself and for my family.  Appreciate the spilled glasses of milk that I need to wipe up, the dirty dishes in the sink from family meals and the laundry that clothe my family. Take it in, when you feel overwhelmed and stretched to thin, just look at life and motherhood from a different perspective and you will notice a huge change very quickly.  So my friends today I am taking more time to appreciate the small things and to slow down and enjoy life!

MY LIST OF GOALS:

Read more to my kids.
Listen
Get to know them more. 
Take more time to sit and cuddle.
Talk and listen to them more.
Enjoy the messes!
Get them evolved.
LOVE THEM MORE AND MORE EVERY SINGLE DAY!! (if that's possible ;) my heart is full of so much love for them it is amazing!) 
Pray for patience and guidance.
Be Still.


                                                             Many Blessings,
                                                                     Amanda