Projects

Over the last several months I have been trying to spend more time with the kids on the little things. Lingering longer in their rooms in the morning when I get them up to snuggle and play a little, sitting on the floor longer when they want to show me their block creation, slowing down long enough to sit down and eat with them for breakfast or lunch, and even walking a little slower in Walmart to listen to them talking rather than shushing them all the time so I can think. Now, there is still plenty of shushing, but I am trying to slow down as much as I can remember to.
Small things that seem little but I know, for them, it means so much. I can see their pleasure in those extra moments.

Over the years, while I've worked at home, I find myself struggling to find a balance between being self-disciplined enough to work from a home office and also self-disciplined enough to leave that home office or not be too overrun with the normal household things that I have to do once I leave my office. I know that the important thing is that I am here with them, but those extra moments don't take that much out of my day...it just really requires me to pay attention and make a concerted effort.

Yesterday I picked up a little foam project for each thinking it would be a good opportunity to do something with them that wouldn't require the entire morning. It was a good decision as they were so excited and happy over such a small trinket. I think the excitement stemmed from the individual time with Mommy more than the actual project. Here is Doster and his little monkey puppet and Caroline showing off her beautiful butterfly.

Again, I am reminded how blessed I am to have such loving children who, despite the hard days, bring me so much fun, smiles, laughter, snuggles and love.