Isn't that what it feels like? There never seems to be enough time. An agenda and list is always on the mind and the passing of time is always on the heart.
I've been here before and I'm sure the climatic change from summer to fall nudges me to some degree.
Whether wistful and happily settled or just accepting and resigned, thoughts on time and seasons are never too far away as children grow.
As Baby Gem and my baby belly grow, the weeks of pregnancy seem to zoom by as never before.
Gianna has been crawling now for three weeks and she is moving at such a rapid rate that we cannot believe she ever wasn't mobile. Her stage of exploration just propels her as she's now grown to be our eight month old baby. Again, a reminder that time is fleeting and there never is enough. That newborn babyhood seems like such a distant reality and the corner of walking and her first birthday is within my view.
My boy still surprises me and catches me off-guard when I stop and realize that he is just six (and a half) and not the seven year old I tend to presume. He's taking his own leaps and bounds of change. The biggest one was joining a Tae Kwon Do class just ten minutes away and *loving* it. Surprised as we were, all it took was one time sitting in watching a class to get him committed to it. He looks forward to his Tuesday evenings now and going to class with dad.
The passing of time and season does not go unnoticed by the mother's heart.
Lily turned nine last month and continues to excel and rise to the challenges of a third grader. While cursive writing proves to be a challenge, she has picked up on it amazingly well and continues to improve. She even chose to take on Astronomy this year for Science and is grasping some of those difficult concepts. She is a wonderful helper for me and 'mother hen' to Gianna.
While there doesn't seem to be enough time in each day as the needs of my family grow and change, the priorities and to do lists change as well. It all gets done at some point, although there rarely is time to just sit and rest. I'm trying to adjust and make changes as needed to grow in my vocation and more fully wear that beautiful mantle of motherhood.
These days are passing and making way for a new season to relish and enjoy. They are mine to embrace and build fond memories.
"And when night comes, and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarassed and ashamed: just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God's hands and leave it with him."
-St. Edith Stein
All I can say is "I sure wish I'd have pregnancy where I could say time just flew by!" Time seems to creep for me, and I'm living one day at a time, getting one day closer each day to the end.
ReplyDeleteMy kids don't seem to be making those leaps and bounds, but maybe I should be looking for them. (well Bridget is) My day seems to consist of stopping fights and cleaning up messes, trying to keep up with laundry and cooking.
I'm glad it's going fast for you. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that you are in the first year of Gianna's life, the first year always seems to be the fastest year of all. I'm always amazed at how fast it goes and how slow the 9 mos of pregnancy goes. Never did them at the same time!!
it's a gift, you have.
So happy Jonah loves TaeKwonDo!! Nicholas really loves it too, it has given him a lot of confidence and he can see that.
Beautiful post.
I hear you Jamie on keeping the household running (cooking, cleaning,etc.). For that there never seems to be enough time and I easily stress about it when I see so many unfinished things around home. I've once again enlisted the help of the big kids and incorporating chores (even if they are small things) to help me out. The tasks maybe aren't done to my "perfect" ideal, but it helps to have them at least try and me just be satisfied with not having to do them myself.
ReplyDeleteI think too that the pregnancy is going by faster because I'm trying to take so much time with Gianna and enjoy every moment. I get so preoccupied with the other kids that some days I almost forget I'm pregnant :) Almost.
I need a Lily in my house.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found something active for Jonah to do - I know you were struggling with that.
My pregnancy with Maggie aslo flew by because Eamon was in his first year of life. Plus I was in denial that I was pregnant for a while :)
And go Gianna!! She is an early crawler, which hopefully means an early walker which will be so helpful when your hands are full with carrying Baby Gem.
Lovely reflection :)
Sarah, this is such an honest and beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI think each of my pregnancies were different in speed. Depending on the Season of Life I happened to be in at that time.
This time, I can look back and see that I have made great strides but then I look forward. Why do I do that so much? :)
To keep my head in the present, I quickly remember that this pregnancy is such a blessing and such a joy that I need to relish each moment (which means the vomiting that I still experience.)
And the kids growing and time passing quickly? It doesn't change. One bit. It is good that you see how quickly time is passing and you try and remember to hold on while you can. We read it in your posts that you share.
As for the business...it is the Season that you are in right now, my friend. This is a hard time. But don't give up. Keep teaching your children and you will reap the fruit of your labor some day.
When I mentioned to a friend how my older two girls especially have grown into young and helpful ladies around the house, she told me that I am now reaping the fruit of my labor.
Your day will come, too!
Have a blessed rest of your week!
This made me cry!
ReplyDeleteYour children are startlingly (is that a word?) gorgeous. I can't believe how fast they've grown.
Hi there, Sarah! Send me an email (clan_donaldson(at)yahoo(dot)com) and I'll get you hooked up with a time slot for Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYay!
C