Things I don't ever want to forget...

When life gets busy, it is sometimes the smaller, more important, things that get over-looked (or purposefully ignored due to exhaustion).

As much as we remind ourselves to slow down, and take time to enjoy the present moments with our kids, there are times we still struggle to find that balance.

While I'm quite certain the broader picture of our kids' childhoods will forever be engrained in my memory, I worry about forgetting the smaller stuff.

LIKE..


I want to always remember...

The way Jessica sneaks her way into our bed at night, always approaching from Dad's side of the bed (because I'm not a very patient person to greet in the middle of the night). :) No longer does it upset me to wake up with our sweet Jess asleep beside me (given it's only happening once or twice a week, and not on a nightly basis); I've chosen to appreciate it as a special moment and to embrace it while I still can.

I want to always remember...

The way Lia greets me whenever I return home, after a few hours, or even just a few minutes, "Mommy's home!" and she runs to meet me at the top of the stairs with open arms, waiting for a hug. Melts my heart! <3

I want to always remember...

How the smell of fruit fills the air after the kids take a bath or shower. It seems like we always have strawberry or mango scented shampoos and conditioners for the kids.

The way Jessica enjoys writing notes and drawing pictures for her friends at school. She carefully folds them up, and places them in her back pack to give to her friends when she goes to school.

I want to always remember...

How Jackson took such pride in speaking his line, "The railroad took us many places, to and from our homes." He spoke this sentence into a microphone in front of all 80+ 1st graders and their parents during the 1st grade music show last week. And, then he looked out at me in the crowd, during applause, and he smiled!

The way our home, specifically the kitchen, is always decorated with artwork made on a daily basis (either at school or with me at daycare), and interchanged with new artwork, or added to daily. It's a never-ending process! :)

I want to always remember...

The way all three kids love to dance and sing with me. I know there will probably come a day when this will be an embarrassing thing to do with Mom, so I'm enjoying our daily dance parties while I still can!

The sounds of laughter that fill our house when we play the 'witch game' or any other game involving a chase or the 'tickle monster.'

I want to always remember...

The way Jackson can't leave for school without one last kiss from me just before he goes out the door. And, the way he still touches his heart and then points to me when he leaves (a symbolic way to say I love you that Jason and I taught him when he was only 3 years old). He still remembers and uses it! <3

And how Lia always wants me to carry her upstairs when she wakes up from her nap ...just because.

I want to always remember...

The excitement in Jessica's eyes whenever she talks about school. I love how she sings all her school songs, and most recently, all the nursery rhymes she has learned.

Seeing Jackson and Jason sitting on the couch together watching and discussing sports. It's also fun to see the two of them sitting on Jackson's bed together, looking through binders of sports cards.

I want to always remember...

How much Jessica likes to go through my closet and try on my boots; and, then she proceeds to sashay around the house, swaying her hips side to side. Does she get this from me? ;)

How excited Lia gets when she is the "ducker" for the game duck-duck-goose, and how her uncontrollable laughter will sometimes cause her to crumble to the ground.

I want to always remember...

The way Jackson likes to have me lay with him in his bed at night so we can discuss important matters about the planets such as, "why is Uranus lying on its side?" or "how many moons does Jupiter have?" Ha! He always surprises me with what he comes up with.


I want to always remember this feeling I have as a parent with young children. It is an incredible, yet terrifying, feeling to know that your children view you as a superhero in their worlds. It is every parent's dream to hope these feelings can withstand the test of time. But just in case, I don't want to ever forget.

Love, Mom