The other day I was walking up the back path on our farm with my 6 month old daughter. Just enjoying the warm weather (I LOVE the heat), and I was looking around and thinking about how far I have come not only as a person, but as a mother, wife, friend, every title I have in my life. 6 years ago I couldn’t just walk and be alone with my own thoughts. I would have my headphones in, music as loud as it could go without blowing my ear drums, and walk like I was trying to escape from something. At the time I didn’t know it, but I think subconsciously I was trying to escape from the life I was living. I became a mother for the first time at 19. I don’t expect sympathy because it was my choice and my decision to go down that path in life. Unfortunately for me I didn’t appreciate motherhood for all that it was and all that it could make me. I didn’t appreciate the little moments like walking in nature with my little one, treasuring every smile, and stroking his hair while he slept soundly. So I guess this specific post is about being in the now.

1. Kids don’t stay kids forever- Right now I have the pleasure of experiencing both ends of the spectrum. I have a 7 year old who has grown and has developed his own personality and way of doing things. He is his own person and makes his own decisions everyday some good and some not so good. Then I have the 6 month old who is fully dependent on me, thinks I’m the funniest person alive, and who can’t stop me when I pinch her cheeks and kiss her face way too much. What I’ve noticed more now than ever is that it truly goes in the blink of an eye. Before you know it this person you have shaped is off doing there own thing, doing their own activities and creating a life away from you. Which I make sound horrible but it’s definitely a positive thing. But this just means that you have to truly appreciate every special little moment with your child. Every age has different moments, and the special moments may change from snuggling, the reading a story together. Whatever it may be, you have to be there for it. Let it consume you and treat it as though this is the most important moment in your life.
2. Like it or not marriage and relationships change and evolve- I still remember my first date with my husband. The smell of the leather seats in his car, his bright eyes, his dimples, and those working man hands. Now all of those external features are still there, but I may not always notice them in the same way anymore. We get comfortable in our relationships , as you really should being with someone you love and who loves you just as you are. Day to day duties, jobs, kids, stresses seem to engulf you as a couple and before you know it your relationship has changed before your eyes. I believe I have a great marriage, but I also know that I don’t always treasure our special time together. Really soak it all up. Laying in bed talking, watching a show together, just driving around together. Basically having him there. Many people lose spouses whether it’s because of illness, sudden accident, or divorce. So if you are in a good relationship with someone you love, I challenge you to really be grateful for them and appreciate even 5 minutes of alone time you may have. Maybe next time don’t say you’re too tired for sex, or put your phone down and focus on them. This is the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with, and not everyday is roses and rainbows, but treat them with the up most love and respect that you felt the first time you ever met them.
3. What you have, no matter how small, is worth A LOT- In our home we have mismatched couches, doors in every corner since it’s an old farm house, mismatched dishes, crumbs on our floors, and cobwebs in certain corners. Our home isn’t perfect and neither are the people that live under it’s roof. But the people and relationships are worth more than anything in this house. Some people have the pleasure of having a lot, and others are just scraping by. This is just the way life is, and probably ho it’s always going to be. I believe with age comes wisdom and with that wisdom comes the realization that memories and life and love are built with people and not things. Relationships are what help us all survive this crazy life, and what keep us  going. If I continue to have the people in my life that I have now, and I never make much more than I do now, I could survive. Money does funny things to people and just buys temporary things. Relationships are permanent and can last a lifetime.

So I guess if you take anything away from this just try to appreciate and practice gratefulness for what you do have and the little moments that you are given. They don’t last a lifetime and little moments make up your life. Teach your children and grandchildren and keep the message going on.