The Sweetest Days

When you are young, it seems like the days last forever and tomorrow can't come soon enough.

But as you age, and especially after you have children, the days go by more swiftly, and before you know it, your children are big. And you are old.

Not that I am saying that you (or I) are old. Believe me, with every year that passes, what I once called old -- I now call just getting started.

But what I wondering is if I have savored it enough. Have I enjoyed it enough? Have I loved every moment?

Nope.

There are days when that last thing I want to be called is "Mommy." Those are the days when I wish they would say "Daddy" just a little more. But, then there are days when "Mommy, I love you" are the sweetest words I could ever hope to hear.

I know every age your children go through has something fun and wonderful to offer, but I have to say I am especially partial to the age when everything is AMAZING and the most mundane things are still fascinating.

I love that my five year old thinks he is the king of the world (second only to you Ben), that my three old is so proud of herself EVERY SINGLE TIME she uses the potty, and that the baby has the best little belly laugh that everyone who hears it just has to smile.

But as I write this, I realize, I also love that my 11-year-old still finds joy in being a child. She is right at that age where she feels like she should be grown, but still secretly enjoys being a kid. I love that my 8-year-old daughter is so ticklish that you can't even pretend to tickle her without her falling down laughing. And I love that my 8-year-old son is so tender hearted, when it came time to vote for a leader in scouts, he voted for the other boy (who won by just one vote), rather than himself, because he didn't want the other boy to feel bad.

I guess when it comes right down to it, I feel so lucky. And I am going to try and really enjoy this time when they are young, because I know that it will pass in the blink of an eye.