Don’t Let Those Moments Pass You By

Last year, I tried to implement an “unplugged day” where I didn’t answer the phone or look at the computer…just completely unplugged from all the technology. It didn’t last very long )one whole day without checking email or talking to a friend is REALLY hard!), BUT I have really tried to cut back on how much I am plugged in and have tried to me more aware of my time. I found this blog that has spoken loads to me. It is called Hands Free Mama and her blog is all about getting back those precious moments and staying focused on what is truly important in life.

Life is crazy busy and we are all just flying from one thing to the next, but even amidst the hustle and bustle, we really can stop, take a breath and smile. We can cherish those moments where our kids are laughing their heads off, our partners have arrived safely home, and our friends have stayed loyal even though we may not be perfect. I use to think that I needed an entire day of being unplugged to grasp that, and even now, I read Hands Free Mama and WISH that I could be more unplugged, but what I have come to realize is that I can still live this crazy busy life, but have moments all throughout the day that I can be STILL. I can appreciate the moments that Grayson is sitting on my lap just because his mama gives him comfort and the times that Cody wants me to read him just one more book or even the times that my hubby reaches his hand over to mine while we watch T.V., which is his way to say I Love You and I am so happy to be sharing this life with you.

I think it is easy to get bogged down and to forget to remember that we have special moments all day long and although we can get down on ourselves because we can’t juggle it all at the same time… one ball or more is bound to fall here and there, we can rejoice in the fact that it is O.K.!! Life goes on, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and those beautiful moments with our friends and family are right there, happening all the time, in every moment we share with them.

With all of this being said,  there are days I see this so clearly and I can speak to my kids in a respectful way and appreciate all the chaos, but there are days I fail and take it all for granted. I know that it is what it is. I will never be perfect, but I can find JOY in myself, knowing that everyday I will strive to NOT let those moments pass me by. I know that I WILL work, everyday, to try to evaluate what is truly important and if I find that my priorities are out of whack, I vow to make changes so that my heart feels right at the end of the day.

Yesterday was one of those days. With all the snow, I decided to stay home (which RARELY happens now a days) and get some things done around the house. I actually got a ton accomplished and towards the end of the day I realized I really hadn’t spent much time with the kids. I was busy doing all my own “stuff”. They were both itching to go outside and play in the snow and I have a hurt foot (which happened from tripping over one of their toys!!) so they had to wait for daddy to get home to take them out. By the time he got home, it was time for swim class. Now, I do believe in teaching your kids to stay true to their commitments, but I knew how much they wanted to play outside (especially Cody), so we skipped :) The boys had SO much fun outside making a snowman with daddy and then Grayson came in and we watched from the window while they shoveled the snow and sled down our hill  a million and one times. It was pure JOY! When all the fun was over, it was time for baths, dinner, putting away laundry etc. etc., but that moment in time was just precious and I can appreciate it as just that!