Enjoy them

Those were the words the sweet lady at Cracker Barrel told us after she took a family picture for us. Enjoy them. Words of wisdom from a woman who looked well put together, a little older, and who I can imagine may have raised a family through many many seasons. There are times when I don't enjoy them though. At least I wouldn't call it focusing on joy. There's poop, crying, barf, and stickiness some days. It's hard. It's stressful, but there's peace and beauty and living in my life.

We are the parents that truly, utterly love and mostly enjoy our sweet little darlings. We spoil them and it's ok. I've had to teach myself that. Isn't that pathetic?! It's ok to spoil and like my girls. It's all good to let them wear dresses and frilly things, and bows and let them play barefoot and eat a piece of chocolate. It's ok to focus on what we're blessed with and to soak all of it up and let it radiate out like sunshine.

Our anniversary was this past weekend and looking back 6 years to our newlywed stage to now, priorities have drastically changed. Toby and I had our very first night together without the girls. We haven't had a night together in over 2 years, until this weekend. We've had dates but nothing overnight and it was weird. Great but it was such a change of pace for us. We ate slow, and both got to sleep in a little bit. It was amazing. It was a recharge of batteries we knew were in need of refreshment.

Once we got the girls back with us though it was back into our usual pace. Our life isn't easy, but I really love it. When I focus on what we are blessed with and how much love we have in this house I'm a better happier woman. We took them to the beach and it was windy. We didn't really care. It was a waste of precious moments to be the stressed out momma. So I wasn't. I played in the water and sat on the sand with my girls. I looked at the sand collecting on their feet and legs, and it was like manna to my heart. There were little white crystals and brown grit on our toes, and the air smelled like salt and was thick with humidity. Toby played with Isla in the water and I sat with Lily where the waves would push a teeny bit of water up over her legs.

Lately the Lord has been whispering to me to slow down and enjoy. Toby always points out how much more fun things are when I'm not stressed or rushed. We may not have the busiest lives but I've been called to slow down. To find peace in what isn't my expectation of perfect. To be realistic and myself, and to really just enjoy my life and my family. My girls are delightful and I want to spoil them with experiences, time, and love through all these seasons and those that are to come.