Thanks for the Reminder

One thing about being a working mom was that it forced me to make the most of every moment. When I was with Carter he was my only focus and I dropped everything to play with him. Each moment I had with him was a gift and I cherished it. Every once in a while now I get caught up in cleaning house, doing yard work, folding laundry, and being active. I just forget to slow down. I keep us busy with morning play dates and activities so when nap time rolls around I lay the kids down and rush off to get to business. Normally I do all the cleaning during naptime but with a play date at our house this morning I raked leaves yesterday after naps and vacuumed the house this morning. I was so focused on having the house really clean and tidy that I lost focus on what the purpose of the play date was, for Carter to have fun! Carter had a blast this morning and then came nap time. I laid him down and left per usual but heard him talking in his room and when I went in he asked me to read a book so I did. Later I walked by and heard him making noise only to find him on the floor playing. He asked me to lay with him so I did. I laid there until he fell asleep and then I started to get up. As I did Carter reached over in his sleep and grabbed my hand. I looked at him and was reminded to slow down. To enjoy every moment, even the little ones. I laid there watching him sleep, holding his hand, feeling his pulse, listening to him suck his thumb in his sleep and I was reminded. Moments like that are what life is all about. So thank you Carter for reminding me to slow down, to appreciate all the little moments. Who cares if I don't get the windows cleaned until tomorrow, I held my baby's hand while he was sleeping. It's a gift that I can now do that. A moment I would have missed before. It reminded me to be thankful for every moment, every day, every conversation. When I was finally getting up after watching Carter sleep I heard Elise wake up in her room. Instead of feeling frustration that I wouldn't get to complete any chores during naptime, I felt excitement that I would get to spend some one-on-one time with her. Why is it that children have to remind us what is important in life?