What I'm really gonna miss

     Any mother of young children has heard this far too many times, or maybe not enough; "You're gonna miss this."  My only thought when I'm told this is, "Am I? Really?" because let's be honest, the temper tantrums, accidents in the middle of Wal-Mart and pure exhaustion aren't exactly things I look forward to every day.  We have great times together, of course.  Going to the zoo is way better with preschoolers and toddlers when you're able to see the wonder of creation through their eyes, and they offer a great excuse to jump in the moon bounce 'for support' or climb to the top of the jungle gym 'just in case', or buy those delicious kid snacks.  I wouldn't trade this life for anything, but it doesn't mean I'm going to miss most of it either.  Here's what I will miss, and the things I'm so desperately trying to hang on to while I can:

1. I'm going to miss their little arms wrapping around my neck for a hug.

• I'm NOT going to miss those same arms death gripped around the swing as you tell them it's time to go.

2.  I'm going to miss Carter running through the house naked after a bath, looking like batman with his towel on his head.

• I'm not going to miss Carter taking off his diaper and peeing all over the floor because I didn't get pants on him quick enough.

3.  I'm going to miss Kaylea saying "Mommy, will you play tea party with me?"

• Not going to miss Kaylea saying "Mommy, Mommy, Mom, Mommy, Mamma, Mom, MOMMY". In fact, I'm thinking of changing my name and NOT telling her ;) 

4. I will miss Natalie's sweet voice and mispronounced words as she says "Shweetie" or "I begot" (forgot) and 'we did that last year' when speaking of yesterday.

• Not going to miss Natalie stomping her feet or huffing every 2 sec. in time-out so I don't forget she's still there. (Then again, she may never stop doing this.)

5.  I'm going to miss the peace at night when they're all tucked in, looking like perfection, having survived another day and they know without doubt we love them and God loves them. 

• Not going to miss the sleepless nights, endless teething, early mornings, and overwhelming needs/demands that come with small children.   

6. I'll probably miss the looks Sean and I share in between the chaos. The ones that say without words, We're crazy for ever thinking we could do this.  Are we doing this right? We're in this together. Carry on warrior. and  I love you.

•  Not going to miss the stress that parenting young children puts on your marriage (although I'm sure new stresses will emerge in its place).  And I definitely won't miss the interruptions in alone time. :)  

There is without doubt many things I WILL miss from this stage of life, even though it's sometimes impossible to see them while we're in it.  It's becoming more real now that our firstborn is growing out of the childish stage and our baby is now a toddler.  There are no more newborn stages left for us.  What's happening now is it, and if I'm not careful I'm going to miss them in the here and now.  I might miss them later, but Lord, don't let me miss them now.