Good morning! I trust you are adjusting to the time change as well as I am. I really only had a hard time with it when the kids were babies. I had them on a good schedule, and I spent a week completely confused about when I should put the baby down for a nap twice a year! After trying to explain it to me yet again, Steve finally announced that whatever time the clock said was the time it was. Problem solved!
I miss those days of babies and naps. When I think about the simplicity of life with my littles at home, cozy as can be, the big world outside was far away, my heart is filled with such sweet nostalgia for those days gone by. Our world was sippy cups and Blue's Clues, naps and snuggles, swingsets and warm baths followed by Baby Magic lotion from head to toe and freshly washed pajamas. We were safe and sound, and my kids belonged to me.
Of course, they really didn't, did they? My beautiful mother told me the most beautiful thing that I have never forgotten. One day I was telling her how my kids were growing up. She smiled and reminded me that, " Yes, they are. And that is their job!" And she was right. They are supposed to grow and change and become the people God intended them to be. The days spent together snuggled on the couch watching Little Bear, sitting on the floor playing Strawberry Shortcake Memory, and baking brownies are memories that will remain as they create their own lives and I take tremendous comfort in that.
Not to mention, adult children are awesome! I love the people my children have become and am blessed by them daily. For example, Madison made these delicious banana muffins this weekend. They literally just appeared in my kitchen! And I am telling you, they are THE BEST Banana Muffins I have ever tasted. I will link the recipe below.
(She followed the recipe exactly and added chocolate chips for Flynn.)
Have a cozy March day, my friends!
Enjoy your life whatever chapter you are in.
The next one will be just as good in its own way!
Billie Jo
Google for the poem.
Your mom was a sweet lady and a wise one too! I too cherish the memories of my kids as babies and toddlers and would love to go back and hold them, but they are such fun adults too.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the sun through the trees is so pretty! And the muffins - yum!
I miss those precious times with Littles too dear Friend. My favorite was watching Little Bear and working on craft projects together, as well as trips to the library and the park. When I say my prayers each day I pray in thanksgiving to God for my kiddos. But I always say "I know they're really YOUR Aaron and Annie, Lord, but I'm so grateful for the gift of them in my life and all the love and purpose they bring to it" 🙏🏻💗
ReplyDeleteThose banana muffins look amazing!! Love the shamrocks and your cute layout for March. ;)
Blessings always sweet Momma. xoxo
I couldn't agree more that each chapter of parenting is just a wonderful as the last! I have some bananas in the freezer that might become muffins this week. *smile*
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet memories and good advice
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, my friend. Having adult children is so awesome! While I miss the times of them being little and all that entailed, I found each phase of their growing up to be even better than the first. Now that I have grandchildren that are adults, I look forward to snuggles with great grandbabies at some point, and enjoying my adult children and grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThe best of recipes are enhanced with chocolate. The muffins look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe muffins look so good! And I really love the March poem! All those memories you made with your children are what made them into the wonderful grownups they are now.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo. Those muffins looks delicious! I miss the days when my kids were little too, but, like you, I am proud of the adults they have become. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI love banana muffins. I make them when bananas turn brown. I like the muffins better than bread.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I do suspect that life was a little simpler back when you were nesting with your littles. I can see why you miss that season of your life.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with what your mom told you, though I am having a hard time accepting it with my granddaughter
ReplyDeleteI miss having littlies around, but I'm so proud of the lovely humans they are becoming. You have a beautiful family, Billie Jo. Xx
ReplyDeleteChildren are a blessing! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, I treasure those same memories of time at home with my little boys. I loved reading on the couch on school days, playing in the tiny pool in the backyard, building lego towers so high and watching episodes of Busy Town, Little Bear and Franklin and just knowing that my boys were safe and sound. They have grown into amazing men of God and now I love them even more, which I never thought was possible. Thanks for the trip down memory lane :)
ReplyDeleteYour mom was a wise woman...I've never thought of it in that sense, but she was so right..that is their job, to grow up and become adults..server the Lord and have their own families. Those younger years were so great and I think this is just one of the reasons that I am now cherishing the moments I have with my grands and now great grands. I miss those cuddly days with my girls. The muffins looks so good...Wish I had one right now...LOL.. have a fabulous Tuesday..
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure I enjoy losing an hour of sleep but I am grateful for that extra sunlight in the evening. Oh, how I can totally feel what you are saying about the children in those younger years. I miss it terribly. I'm not at the teenage stage and it feels like I'm a parent all over again - learning how to navigate these adolescent years in the best way but desperately missing when they were tiny and innocent. Thanks for the assurance that the adult version will be a blessing in itself.
ReplyDeleteI miss having babies. Got to get that last child to have another!
ReplyDeleteWhen our kids grow up, move out and begin their own lives, it shows how well we did our job in raising them. You're right that they always belonged to God, and what an honor to be able to raise these kids he entrusted to us. And what a privilege to watch them live as adults. Parenting is the best! You did good mama!
ReplyDeleteHow did you know that I needed to hear this? I know it’s how it’s supposed to be, but I still struggle – you’re absolutely right - when they were little we were here cozy and safe. Now I send them out in the world, off to work or a college campus and I can’t protect them. I miss those simpler days. Your mom was absolutely right – but it’s a real struggle for me -please know that your post was inspired. Thank you so much, Billie Jo
ReplyDeleteI made banana chocolate chip last night as well. It's one of our go-tos at our place. So fun. Though I used a choclate that I'm not such a fan of inside this bake I wrote. Thankfully, the market had a big sale on the chocolate I often use so next go, they go back in.
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