Children are a blessing!

I had the opportunity today to visit someone who recently had a baby. I love meeting newborn babies. They are so cute and adorable! Unfortunately I didn't get to see the baby because he was sleeping. I chat with his mom for awhile and got to see some baby pictures. He's a cutie! Seeing his pictures got me thinking about my own children when they were at that stage. They are not that far from that stage (especially my youngest who's almost 2) but it still seems like a long time ago. Yet it also feels like just yesterday. Like just yesterday I was holding my precious baby and looking into his/her eyes for the first time. Like just yesterday I gave him/her sweet kisses and whispered "I love you's" all day. It's truly amazing how time flies by. I've heard it said before that "the days are long but the years are short" (in reference to how quickly kids grow). It's funny how when we are children we cannot wait to grow up so that we can be adults. However, when we are older (and wiser) we wish we had a few more of those "younger years." Just ask an elderly person about the passing of time.

This really is not about the passing of time; it's more about parenting our children that God has so richly blessed us with. A friend of mine, who's baby just turned 2 months old, was asking me recently how I did "it." The "it" in this case is referring to managing my time with having 2 children. She wanted to know if I had a schedule and how I handled my day. She's trying to figure out how to manage her day when it seems like every waking minute is spent with doing something for the baby. I told her about some things that I've learned.

1. I've learned that the house really will not crumble if it hasn't been clean for a few days.
   
   
2. I've learned that it's more important to spend time with the baby than it is to dust furniture.
   
   
3. I've learned that if I only get one load of laundry done today then it's a good day.


4. I've learned that someone else can make dinner (like picking it up from a restaurant) if the baby needs me a little more today and I can't make dinner. I've also learn that there are lots of meals that freeze well and can come in handy on a day like this.


5. I've learned that unfolded laundry can be locked away in a closet or the guest room so that I don't have to SEE it.
   
6. I've learned that husbands will help when you tell them exactly what you want them to do. They do not know how to read our minds ladies!
   
7. I've learned that this stage does not last FOREVER. It's just like the Bible says, "this too shall pass!"

There's so many more that can be added from many experience mothers. However, even if it's your first child and you don't have the experience, do not worry! Your baby is not asking for experience, your baby just needs YOU! That's the main point I was trying to make to my friend. Don't get overwhelm about all the details. Do what you can but the most important thing to do is to spend time with your baby/child. Pace yourself! Things can wait to get done but moments missed between you and your children can never be replaced.

Children truly are a blessing from God and in everything we do we have to remember that. I've heard it said before that you cannot let children consume your life, you have to fit them into your life. While I agree that it's true that you should not let your children consume every waking minute, you need to find some time for yourself, I also think that you need to spend as much time with your children as you can. You cannot be selfish and only think of getting "time away" from your children. This really will affect your children in the long run. You need to find balance. I admit that it's easier said that done but imagine how happy and healthy our children would be if every parent strived to make this their goal. Then imagine how awesome our future would be; because ultimately children are our future.