Don’t miss the links to parenting resources at the end…
Oct 2010
I hear his little feet coming around the corner. It’s busy, in-the-thick-of-it Sunday morning. I’m putting the ingredients in the crock pot for our lunch.
His Daddy has dressed him. He’s ready to go. So he runs, pounding little shoes and slams full force. He hugs both my legs. Tight. “I wuv you, Mama.” I turn, bend down and hug back.
Later, I’m spending a rare afternoon reading. My feet are up and I’m deep into my book. She comes. “Come watch me, Mama! Watch me swing!”
“Come on, Mama.” She pulls my arm and I go. I sit in the chair and watch. She wears those red boots that were her older sister’s. The red is dull now but they draw such attention to her new skill. She’s been practicing.
She’s pumping those legs. Legs pumping and she’s swinging high. Littlest one climbs the steps to the slide. “Watch Mama!” He pauses at the top and looks up. “It’s blue sky!”
Yes, brilliant October blue sky. And swinging and sliding children.
Glory days.
“Something deep in all of us yearns for God’s beauty, and we can find it no matter where we are.” ~Sue Monk Kidd
Fast forward to May 2012
School days done for the year, we all trek south and we park ourselves on the beach for a week. That littlest one isn’t so little any more. Fearless, he heads straight for the waves. Jumping while gripping that intertube. Waves knock him and he loves it.
Our big boy has a big birthday at the beach. How did he get to be as tall as his Daddy? Littlest girl builds sandcastles by herself. She doesn’t need much help with sunscreen anymore.
All these children are growing and changing in a blink. It’s a different stage of parenting. And I can’t help but think that these are the glory days. The glory days of parenthood. I know I paused to think that when my littlest gave me that leg hug too.
Aren’t they all glory days? The early days, so hands on. They are glorious. These days, with teens, stretching my brain and strength. They are golden.
Soaking up. Thankful. So grateful.
- new freckles on our noses, sunshine on our shoulders.
- white ghost crab sweeping out his front door and daring us to come closer.
- rest, renewal, relaxation.
- early mornings with my youngest two children.
- adirondack chairs on screened porch have a perfect prop for my morning coffee.
- sunrise.
- crashing waves, happy children.
- porpoises flapping and jumping.
- three shooting stars, so many stars – the heavens declare the glory of God.
- a sea turtle nest.
- exploring the lighthouse.
- shrimp for supper.
- magnolia trees.
- Spanish moss.
- church sign – “Children are a blessing from the Lord.”
- shrimp boat masts.
- flapping flags.
Beauty puts a face on God. When we gaze at nature, at a loved one, at a work of art, our soul immediately recognizes and is drawn to the face of God. ~Margaret Brownley
- old-timey post office.
- ice-cold Dr. Pepper
- coffee and chocolate.
- early morning quiet time on the porch and I can barely see to write.
- light on ocean, cricket chirps, pounding surf.
- little boy train track winding around the deck.
- friendly beach dogs.
- drip castles and those formed with buckets.
- edible sand to celebrate.
- trip to ice cream shop.
- sea oats, sandpipers, white morning glory.
- sunscreen slathering routine.
- sunset beach walks.
- a friend with us.
- 40 Days with Jesus devotional.
- watching Star Wars.
- state park – wide open view.
- angry birds kites.
- shrimp salad.
- time putting together The Child Training Bible.
- sandpiper pastel pictures.
- bubble blowing.
- Nana’s biscuits and gravy.
- memories made. moments savored.
Blessed.
Counting #4032-4086.
For You. Some of our favorite parenting resources:
- A whole site full! at Passionate Purposeful Parenting.
- Ten Days of Intentional Parenting at Finding Joy.
- Habits for a Happy Home – the Habits for a Happy Mom category and others
- New! Our parenting posts in one spot. An index linking to our posts at (in)courage, Passionate Purposeful Parenting and Habits for a Happy Home : Hodgepodge of Parenting Posts.
Tell me. How are your parenting days golden and glorious right now? Challenges and all?
I know exactly what you mean about them growing up so fast! So much to be thankful for. I love your photos, your observations. Have a happy, happy time at the beach!
Thank you Phyllis! We are actually back and it went way too fast last week. The best time.
Tricia, what a wonderful post. Your thoughts, descriptions, quotes, photos, and blessings — all were lovely and blessed me!
Thank you Ellen. Beach pictures and memories are the finest kind, I think 🙂
My children are ALL taller than me now. It is strange and wonderful too.
Yes, drink it all in. Let it into your heart so on the days when they all are off doing their own things (like my world today) you will have a treasured memory to pull up and ponder on. The job is hard and it takes many years but it is oh so very worth it.
My best advice…keep up those dates with your hubby because he is going to be the one you turn to when the kids are all gone. I am very glad my hubby and I have maintained a friendship and built our own memories and traditions through the childrearing years.
Wonderful post, love the images and your thoughts. Sigh. Did your week go by too fast?
Oh I see that day approaching when the older three will soon be taller than me! So true – a hard job but oh so worth it. I LOVE your best advice. Amen and amen. Did you know that my husband and I are blessed with a nearly once every week date night? Thank you to Nana’s ministry. She and the children treasure their time together – and my husband and I run out for dinner or coffee and dessert. There are weeks I live for date night 🙂
Yes, the first part of our week was nice and slow. But along about Wednesday it seemed to go into fast forward. Not sure how many times I can say wonderful but it truly was.