Being thankful for every moment.

My son will be 19 months old tomorrow! He is teaching me so much about life every day.. every moment of every day. I'm learning that things like a clean house don't matter. Sounds crazy, right?! Maybe to some, but I see it like this: I'll have forever to do dishes, sweep, mop, do laundry, etc. However, I will not always have this little boy in my home to love on. Yes, he will always be a part of my life.. a HUGE part of my life, but now doesn't last forever.

Life is short, very short. For some of us, too short. I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with a family who knows firsthand how precious every moment is. They have pushed me to accept every single moment as a gift (especially the mother, Erica... she is such an inspiration to me!) I am thankful for the fits that never seem to end, for the tantrums thrown at the worst possible times, for the early mornings, for the messy house, for the moments when I don't think I can fight any longer, for EVERY SINGLE MOMENT.. because I'm alive!!!! Because my son is alive!!! Because my husband is ALIVE!

Because we've been blessed with another day.

Slow down.

Something that's been hitting home for me lately:

I'm guilty of watching the clock, and I'll be the first to admit it. "WHEN is nap time/my next break?!" I know this is destructive and it sets me up, but I also know full well that I'm human and cannot expect myself to not get exhausted from being a mother to an almost 2 year old!!! So I pray for energy, patience, and most of all unconditional love every day.

Just yesterday, a thought that's crossed my mind many times came in again, but with a deeper meaning. Ayden is only under MY loving care for a few more years. Yes, I will always be his mother, and Lord willing our relationship will always be strong, but he'll be 18 before I know it. Legally speaking, that means he's not 'mine' anymore. Bullet straight through my heart.

I have to make these moments count!!

Dishes can wait, who CARES if the house is a wreck! I get so 'busy' with life that I often times forget to slow down and simply enjoy what's right in front of me, my precious son.

I love you so much, Ayden James!