Time Is of the Essence

Long time, no see, Blogger. I apologize for my absence, but this fall has slipped through my hands. And are those more pictures from the fall photo shoot? Why yes, they are. Just further indicating the busyness/laziness this fall has brought about.

Lazy, well, that's a strong word. My body is, after all, making a child. One of the most exhausting miracles known to man, ahem, I mean, woman. So there you have it, my excuse for no new pictures and a slightly distracted post are being blamed on placenta brain...and a lack of batteries for my camera. Sorry.

I apologize if this is the first you are hearing of our pregnancy. We really are quite excited! May 8th, on or abouts, we will be welcoming a third little one into our home. 3 kids in 3.5 years, are we crazy?!?! Maybe, but blessed, nonetheless.

Now, on to my post.

When I was pregnant with our oldest, a dear mentor/friend, Amy Hansen, gave me a book one day while I was over at her home. She said she had two copies, and just pulled it off the shelf saying, "here, this one's for you, you take it." For those of you who know Amy, she is pure gold, through and through. Seriously, I've never met a more kind person.

The book was Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes. Now, let me preface my gushing over this book by saying that I really don't approve of the title. I know many great parents who don't have 'great kids' and many crappy parents who have great kids. While the Bible teaches that we are the primary influence in our child's life, they still have free will, and ultimately the path they choose isn't up to you. All that being said, I really did/do enjoy the book.

I'm not going to lie, it's in our bathroom. I generally read it while soaking in the bath. When that wonderful occasion arises, I want to have something to read, but don't want to read something that requires too much thought and can be flipped open to any chapter at any time. This is just the book.

I recently ran across this poem while reading the book. While I don't have a boy who is four, I still can relate, and found it to be a gentle reminder to slow down. It was tucked in the chapter titled Tending the Fields. This is totally where I'm headed, if not already at. Our boys soak up so much right now that it's scary. I can't tell you how often I decline an offer to 'play with me' so that I can finish the dishes or fold the laundry. While, yes, those tasks need to be accomplished, so does the task of enjoying these little boys while they're little.

Time is of the Essence

Now is the time to get things done...

wade in the water,

sit in the sun

squish my toes

in the mud by the door,

explore the world with a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,

flowers,

snails,

how a cloud looks;

to ponder 'up',

where God sleeps nights,

why mosquitoes take such big bites.

To sew and clean,

paint the hall

that soft new green

to make drapes,

refinish the floor--

Later on...when he's not just four.

-Irene Foster