Cherish The Moment

So after reading this blog that Tara posted "Bring The Rain" I really felt like God used her writings to open my eyes a little more and truly appreciate every moment I have with my children. It is so difficult to remember this day to day, especially through the whining and fighting, but with God's grace, I am working hard to stop and think about how these children are a wonderful miracle that God has blessed me with. It helps me to react so much more calmly in situations that are irritating to me.

Now to get to the revelation I had today while laying with my son for his nap.
As most of you know my children have required a lot of me when it comes to nap time and bed time. Maddi, now being 4 going on 5, is a great sleeper and I have no problems with her going to bed, but for the longest time she had to sleep with me and now history has repeated itself with my son.
I have gone back and forth so many times with the whole co-sleeping thing and the making them sleep (or scream it out) in their own bed. I always worry what the "right " thing to do was and mostly based this on other "people's" opinions. Most often I find myself irritated and rushed trying to get Nathan to sleep so I can go about my day and get stuff done. Today was different. I don't know why I haven't thought about this before, but I guess better late than never, and all in God's timing I'm sure.
As I lay there with Nathan I felt calm and relaxed. Not in any hurry to go do other things but just enjoying my time with him. He Always wants me to read a book before nap or bed and I am always trying to hurry through it, or read only one because I had other things to get done. Today I really focused on how much he seemed to cherish that time with me. He kept putting his arm around me and squeezing me while jabbering. Then he would kiss me and roll over. A min. later he would roll back over and touch my eye or my nose and laugh. So precious. He was loving just having me next to him. Having my undivided attention.

It was then that I realized that I spent most of my day in a hurried rush to push them off to play or to watch cartoons so I could get some work done. (It's hard working from home, not that it's an excuse) I didn't really make a lot of quiet one on one time with my kids throughout the day. This made me very sad and thinking about it makes me feel like such a horrible mom. But then I realized too that this time of putting them to bed or down for a nap IS my one on one time with them. Laying down at nap time and every night can be something to look forward to! A special time to spend with my kids. And while I don't have to lay with Maddi anymore, I have fallen away from reading to her before bed, praying with her and tucking her in. Again I am always more focused on trying to hurry and get Nathan down that I kind of have left her to fend for herself. Sad I know.

Today, God revealed to me that I CAN cherish this particular time with my kids. While it may not be what all other moms do, this is what works for me and my kids. That especially since I am trying to get work done during the day the Least I owe them is an hour or so laying down with them, reading, cuddling and giving them my undivided attention. So what is an hour or so at bed time cuddling with my son. He looks forward to it. And so should I!
Forget all the people who say I need to get Nathan to sleep in his own bed and to the point where I don't have to lay with him. (although this does make it tough for babysitters) They will be older and pushing me away before I know it.
So for now I am going to enjoy every moment I have, (even if it means sleeping with them) to cuddle with my babies.

Thank You God for these most precious children you have placed in my care, and let me never forget to Cherish Every Moment.