So often I write for the masses on this blog. How to make a baby wrap, our teen girls' summer reading challenge, and oodles of recipes. However, I want to really be keeping more of a record of our lives. The lives of my family that is growing up so fast, I can scarcely believe it.
My little William, at 2 years old, learned how to cut with scissors just moments ago, for the first time. Samuel, my 8 year old, is really swimming well, for the first time this summer. So many firsts come beyond that first tooth or first step. I feel beyond priviledged to observe these firsts in their lives. To be a mother of five, soon to be six, feels like such a blessing, one that humbles me in an intense way.
Intense. Yes.
But, not the intensity you may be thinking.
Intensity as in.....full, overflowing, and being very mindful. My mind is constantly whirring. What are the plans for today? What will be eating for meals? How much time do I need to prep these meals? What do I need to pack? Did I get laundry going? How will I fit in that game of monopoly with that child, when this child has a dirty diaper, and that child needs a ride somewhere?
Oh, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. There is so much joy, in the midst of all this. The smiles, the "I love you mama's", and the laughter. Lots of laughter.
One thing bringing us so much joy and laughter this summer is the water.
I am a bit suprised that we are not all walking around with our skin looking like wrinkled prunes, we are in the water so much.
Our home we purchased happens to have a swimming pool, and I am feeling quite spoiled. Unless the weather is poor, or we are gone for the day, we are in the water. Samuel and Katie are little fish, and the older girls are enjoying it so much as well. William has slowly been warming up to the idea of being in the water much. He prefers to walk around the edge with his big brother's water guns and shoot everybody. He loves the reaction he gets, and then he laughs this little "evil" laugh I call it. Maybe a little bit of "stinker" in that one....seems to be a trend in our family...hmmmm. Wonder where they got that from?
If we aren't in the pool, we are in daddy's favorite place in the world. Out on the lake in our boat. The water seems to have an immediate calming, and stress relieving effect on him, which I love. If he's had an especially tough week working, it seems as if the waves and wind take it all away. Every person in our family loves the boat, which is wonderful.
When you have toddlers to teens, it can be so difficult to find something that everyone enjoys. This is our thing. Mama making daddy spill off of the tube while she's driving the boat.....Katie giving daddy the signal to speed up the boat while she is "bravely" tubing at 5 years old, then immediately giving the signal to slow down while we all giggle, and enjoying picnics on the water.
These are the moments I look around at each face, and see the past, present and future all at once. I look at my eldest, seventeen next week, and see someone on the brink of aldulthood. I see my William, and see one who has so very much yet to learn.
And, I will say it again....what a blessing.
I wouldn't want to miss this ride for the world.
