I was thinking about this entry as I drifted off to sleep last night.......

My kids are at such different ages~ Ashley is a teenager, Gracie is 7 (and wanting to be a teenager), and Ian is nearing his 2nd birthday.  They are each at such different levels, but they are each developing their independence in new ways.

For example, Ashley is 14.  I love having her with me here at home each day.  We've become such good friends, yet we still maintain a healthy mother-daughter relationship.  I love that she feels she can confide in me.  But, when her friends are around, she'd much rather "hang out" with them than with mom, and that's ok.  She's able to go out and do things that her younger siblings cannot do yet, and that's exciting to her.

Gracie is not my baby anymore, and she's enjoying learning and doing new things that require her to have more household responsibility, such as folding and putting away her clothes, etc.  She's been very independent where her schoolwork is concerned for quite awhile, but is learning to be more independent of mom for many other things as well.

However, here's the sad part:
For well over a year now (every night since we returned home from Vietnam), Ian and I have shared a bedtime ritual.  I would rock him for awhile, sing songs to him, then put him into his crib(more recently, his bed).  Last night, though, when I said "Should Mommy rock you now?" he pointed to his bed.  I expected  that, when I laid him down, he would cry and decide he wanted to be rocked, but he didn't.  He went to bed totally independent of mom!  Though I'm proud that he's growing up, this was a defining moment for me.  True, maybe tonight he'll decide he wants rocked again.  Then again, maybe not.  He's growing up so fast, and I have treasured those moments we've shared together, rocking in his room. 

Oh, how quickly they grow.  I'm so thankful to God that I can spend so much time with my kids~ teaching them and learning with them and watching each new step they take toward their future independence.  I do wish I could keep them little a bit longer though!

Share Your Thoughts

Feb. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 4sweetums

Oh! They do grow up way to fast. I am so glad to have everyday with my kids. I was saddened yesturday talking to other mothers in our community at the playground. I mentioned that I was a SAHM and they said they were sorry. They actually seemed to pity me. I can't imagine being away from my children and yet here were 4 women who couldn't wait to get to work and away from their children. It was really sad.
Blessings,
Dawn

Share Link

Feb. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by daredhead

I TOTALLY agree! I wish I could keep my Princess Gigi little for longer, too. She'll be 7 in March and I'm already getting my mourning clothes & ashes ready!

Princess Gracie did a great job on her lapbook. We just started doing a lapbook this week. I'm not very crafty, but I think I can handle this one...as long as Gigi does the work! ;)

Share Link

Feb. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by dangela1

Oh it's bitter sweet isn't it? I'm dreading the day my Pete doesn't want to snuggle with Mom. He's already 9 but still loves snuggle time with me. I'm so thankful for that. I agree with the other gal who left a comment that it's so sad that some women who work actually feel sorry for us. They just don't know what they're missing.

Share Link

Feb. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Janice

Awe they sure do grow up way too fast!!! It's hard for us mommy's to see our kids not "needing" us for things like this. I totally understand how you feel Heidi..can we stop time just for a little while? Ian sounds so sweet. I love the look of your blog too..cute!

Share Link

Feb. 5, 2008 - Tag

Posted by daredhead

I tagged you, but if you don't want to do it I completely understand! No big deal. I'm sure you have a lot on your plate.

Stacey

Share Link

Feb. 5, 2008 - I understand your feelings...

Posted by proverbsmomof3

I still think about those days with my 21 yr old when he was little and we were able to spend only a little time together each day. I am so grateful that God has allowed me to have the opportunity to homeschool the younger two and to have more time with them. They really grow so quickly.

Share Link

Feb. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Ruth

Heidi,
These moments can be so hard on a momma. It is hard to see them get big so fast.
I love the lapbook and slideshow below. How awesome.
Ruth

Share Link

Feb. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by pianosteve

Thanks for the comment and for voting for me! :)

I did see the review in TOS, and I thought it was excellent. This weekend, Christy and I were vendors at a homeschool convention, and I had my CDs out there for sale. On the table, I had a copy of TOS open to your review so people could see it!

Thank you so much for doing that. I appreciate it. Orders are starting to trickle in again (after almost a month of silence), and I bet it's people reading your review!

Share Link

Feb. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by mamaof3

You are so right - it goes so fast. --- Imagine if we were not home with them and didn't see and experience all the things we are able to - How much faster would the time go, then?! - WOW!

You have 3 incredible children and you and Brian are making wonderful memories with them and blessing the Lord abundantly.

Share Link

Feb. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by HandsRaisedToHeaven

This is true about how fast children grow up. Some stages seem longer than others, but overall the time goes way too fast and soon they will be grown and have families of their own.

I did receive the book yesterday. Thank you so much! The pictures are beautiful. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but am looking forward to it. Thank you again for the book.

Thanks too for your excitement regarding Talitha. It's still shocking to us as well. :) Praying that all the details fall into place and she can come home!!

You are such a dear. I always look forward to reading your posts.

Blessings, Jenny

Share Link

Feb. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SandBetweenMyToes

I remember so well the day we bought Daniella's "big girl bed". Her crib had been in our bedroom, and early in the mornings, she would usually wake up, and I'd put her in the bed with me. We bought her bed, and little did I know that dad was going to surprise us and put it together *that* night. She immediately wanted to sleep in it, in the room she would share with Marissa. Boy, I cried. I wasn't prepared to not have that one more morning with her snuggling and sleeping an hour with me.
Gracie is one smart little girl. Daniella and I visited her blog today, and though she's only one year older than Daniella, she is way ahead academically. Daniella is just now doing K work. She had langage delays because of her later adoption. My point was not to compare, but just how smart and advanced Gracie is. You do a great job with your girls.
I *love* my relationship with my older girls. I'm so glad you are able to enjoy that with Ashley, too.
Letitia

Share Link

Feb. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessedwith2angels

It is really hard to watch our kids grow up and start to become independent, but it is wonderful to be able to spend time with them and be able to influence them.
pam

Share Link