Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Best 20 Minutes


Yesterday, we had a few minutes in between Azure getting home from school, and Bella going to school, so we packed a quick lunch, and headed to the waterfall park down the street for a picnic. We only had 20 minutes, but it was the BEST 20 minutes. It was a beautiful, sunny, nearly wind free (amazing I know!) day. My kids kicked off their sandals and dipped their toes in the water as we ate our sandwiches and yogurt. We brought some extra bread to feed the ducks, and they ran around the pond throwing their bite size pieces in the water. They squealed every time one of the ducks went after a piece of their bread. They ran and giggled and splashed and squealed some more.
This was one of those rare moments that I felt the joy and beauty of being a mom to little kids, IN THE MOMENT. I know that I am often so rushed, and pushing to get on to the next thing - that I don't take the time to enjoy what's happening now. I heard some advice recently that I love: This is a time of life. that 20 years down the road, you will look back at fondly, so why not enjoy it now? Why not make it a positive experience now?
That's one of my new goals: to enjoy. Enjoy my children. Enjoy my husband. Enjoy being pregnant for the last time. Enjoy my calling. Enjoy my friends. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy LIFE --- right this second.
Thanks to the water, the ducks, and my beautiful kiddos for reminding me of that this week.

5 comments:

Berly said...

I love days like this - I was thinking the same thing when I took Nicole to preschool this morning. She was in her swimsuit for a sprinker party and sat down for the last time right by the door. All the other children were walking into there classrooms and Nicole was smiling at me. I had to stop for a minute and soak in the memory. Nicole was so excited and giddy about going to school. I thought to myself - what a Beautiful 5 year old little girl, so excited about life. Love those moments of childhood!!

The Goulds said...

I love those moments. It seems like life just gets faster & faster. That our children are growing & time is just slipping away because life just goes. I look at my girls while they are sleeping & think "do they know I love them" will I be able to look back & know that my children KNEW they were more important to me than washing the dishes or facebook or groceries? I love reading your blog, you are so inspiring!

Valeri said...

It's funny how some of the most priceless and memorable moments we experience are the simple, uneventful ones we didn't even expect to have that day.

Becki Madsen said...

What a great post! I must ask WHERE is that wonderful park? I would love to take my kids! Thanks for the great reminder to enjoy life, it is sometimes hard with so much going on!

Hans and Michelle said...

Well-stated. It reminds me of an Anna Quindlen quote Elder Ballard mentioned about enjoying the moments and not rushing through this time of life with little kids. Always stops me in my tracks and reminds me to keep perspective. And I'm not so sure you should make this the last pregnancy...your kids are so beautiful!