Today. Life with an almost none month old and an almost two year old. (Ack! Wait. What? Nine months? Two YEARS? Where in THE world has the time gone?!)
Anyway, today I want to remember what we consider pretty ordinary around here, but in the end, is so important.
I want to remember how Liam is nearly walking on his own and how he has a grip like no other baby I've ever met! I also want to remember the way he LIGHTS UP when he sees Grayson. And how much he just wants to do exactly what Grayson is doing (running, climbing up on the couch, eating big kid foods, turning the channels on the tv, talking a lot, etc).
I want to remember how Grayson asks, "where daddy at?" as soon as he wakes up from his nap.
I want to remember how Nate and I are so completely exhausted, we now make coffee every morning and laugh at the dumbest things just to get through a rough moment with the boys. I want to remember how helpful Nate is and how he gives me the biggest hugs right when I'm on the verge of having a meltdown.
I want to remember that for some reason it is always SO tiring and difficult getting all four of us ready for church on Sundays (Could it be satan? Uhhh, yup!). No matter how much extra time we start with those mornings (two hours, three hours, even) we always run late, but always make it on time! Granted, pooped by the time we get to the double doors, but grateful we made it!
I want to remember how Grayson RUNS down the aisle to his papaw Phil every Sunday morning before service starts and sits with right with him for at least 80% of it.
I want to remember how after Nate or I sneeze, Grayson says, "bwess youuu!"
I want to remember how Liam loves the bath, but when he's ready to get out, you better get him out or he will try and launch himself over the tub to get out! ;)
And I want to remember how much my heart swells when I see Nate with the boys. One on one or when all three are together. It doesn't matter. Because they just FIT. How awesome that the Lord made Nate these two precious boys' daddy?! Gah. I can't even describe the love he has for them and the love they have for him.
I want to remember how busy we are. Babysitting, errands, visiting with friends and family, church, sickness, movies, meals, Scentsy, you name it. ;)
I want to remember how messy our dining room table is. It's our catchall and I hate it with a capital "H!" Anything from bibs to snacks, to pens and crayons, to the calcuator and budget for the week to Scentsy paperwork and everything in between.
I also want to remember all the laundry. And this is just the start? Sheesh. A minimum of three overflowing baskets a week, plus the towels and linens. Oh, and I must remember how much both boys love to throw clothes out of the baskets as I try to fold them and how Grayson even believes he's helping. I tell him he is even if it does make me go batty! ;)
I want to remember these Grayson sayings right now, "C'mon daddy!" "Hi mama. Hi daddy!" "More cookies!" "What doin' mom?" "Good Mowwrning, Li-Li!" "Ooooh! A car, mamaw!" "Thasss dada's car!" "Wooove you, mama. Wooove you daddy. Woooove you Poonchki!"
I want to remember how he "Mmmmmm's" when he sees something good on TV! Ha. And when you ask him where Jesus is he points to the sky and says, "there!" and I never, ever, ever want to forget how he now bows his head to say prayers and how he ALWAYS says amen at the end of each one. It truly is THE best!
I want to remember how much we use our iPhones. Photos, texts, calls, Facebook, Google, Instagram, apps. SO grateful for those things!
I want to remember how hectic bath time is, especially when Nate is in charge. ;)
I want to remember the LOUD vrrroooms of the push tractors, trucks and cars across the floors of our homes and the giggles. There are always LOTS of giggles, especially when the Tickle Monster comes out!
And I want to remember how I say, "did you hear the news?" and Grayson inhales so hard he squeaks and shrills at what he knows is about to happen next-The Tickle Monster is gonna get him or there's a goose on the loose (I pinch his sweet bottom cheeks and he squeals!!) we all love it!!
I want to remember the amount of dishes. And how it could take an hour to make a meal, and only minutes for it to be gone!
I want to remember Liam's chunky thighs and how he loves to crawl around naked, especially after a bath.
I want to remember how when Grayson gets hurt, he whines, finds me, points to where it hurts and says, "huuurt, mama!" and then I kiss it and he moves on.
I want to remember how Grayson asks, "chair, mama?" as he tries his hardest to pull it from the table to bring over to me in the kitchen, so he can stand at the counter to help me cook. Whatever it is. Coffee, an egg, boil water, cut a banana...you name it. He has to help and I let him. A LOT. I am so grateful for his eagerness to learn.
I want to remember Nate's silly stories. Of all kinds. He makes me laugh. Often.
I want to remember how Grayson gives mooches. He squints his eyes tight and purses his lips and gives the best mooches in the world! SO much love in them!
Oh, and I want to remember Grayson's love for writing, doodling, coloring (on his art paper or things like the checkbook ledger, bills, etc! ha. ;)) and how he says, "choo choo, Ittle 'Steins (little einsteins), Whoaaaaa! and baaaa 'ub, mama! (back rub).
I want to remember how in the mornings I am slow to the go, but must find that oomf deep down to be there for this family and all that they need. The breakfast of choice for Grayson-french toast sticks or 'eareal, the juice and milk sippies/bottles, the dishes that need washed, the counters that need wiped off, the meals that need planned for the day, the pj'sand diapers that need changed, the outfits that need picked out, the checkbook that needs balanced, the shelves that need dusted, the faces that need wiped, the husband that needs reminding and needs his lunches packed, the floors that need swept, and on and on.
I want to remember how I have a habit of opening the blinds and turning on my Scentsy warmers. Just for me. ;)
I want to remember how annoyed I get with all. those. bath. toys. and picking them up and not having enough space for them around the tub and stepping on them when I go to get in the shower! Haha.
I want to remember phone calls from people I love dearly, gramcracker, grandpa, my parents, friends. Their texts and words of encouragement and willingness to help mean SO much.
I want to remember the junk that accumulates on the stairs, no matter how recent we just cleaned them off. Outgrown toys that we want to keep, future birthday gifts, billing statements, Liam's push cart, clothes, a nebulizer mask..lol...it's all there. Or was there. And then more just comes back!
I want to remember how much fun we have as a family, even amongst the chaos and exhaustion. How much Nate and I adore being parents and how much Grayson and Liam bring LIFE to our home.
I want to remember how we toss around the idea of having a third baby and then laughing and coming back down to reality. And how we get asked at least once a week if we will have another. And how those conversations start all over again.
I want to remember how excited I am when I get 15 minutes to shower and get dressed for the day.
I want to remember these days. The good and the bad. The happy and the sad. I want to remember because I can say, they are going much too fast already and before I know it, my babies will be off to college and getting married and starting families of their own. And Nate and I will still be. And life will be wonderful. Different, sure, but wonderful. Just as it is now. But these moments, right now? They're what I've waited my whole life for. The marriage, the kiddos. The fun and adventures we can share. Because this, afterall is just a season. And one that is already going by much too fast.
Remember the little things just as much, if not MORE than the "big" things.
