Savoring these short days that feel so long.

Kari Patterson > My name is Mommy > Savoring these short days that feel so long.
My name is Mommy16 Comments0

I just tip-toed out of Heidi’s room, her sleeping soundly, my heart full.

After five years of diligently following the “let-your-children-fall-asleep-on-their-own” rule, I have just now indulged in a precious afternoon ritual: I lay down next to Heidi as she falls asleep.  Yes, she knows how to go to sleep on her own and does so at night, but I recently realized I probably only have months left in the days of napping and since she has never known alone-time with Mommy (as Dutch did when he was an only child) I go ahead and let her “keep me” in bed.

(Every night in bed she wraps her arms around my neck and says, “I’m gon’ keep you forevah!”)

So now, at nap, she curls up under her quilt, puts her right thumb in her mouth and wraps her left arm around my neck. I nuzzle my face down into her neck, her curls against my cheek, and inhale her apple-sweetness and thank God for my girl.

These have become some of our sweetest times. 

It’s probably only 10-minutes that I’m there, but it’s become the sweetest time of prayer, of savoring these short days of motherhood that sometimes feel so long. Yes, our days feel long sometimes. But I will blink and she’ll be gone. Driving. Married. I will blink, I know, and I’ll wish I’d held her longer.

I’m oh-so-glad for the fall-asleep-on-their-own method. I’m thankful for consistent discipline, for helpful parenting books and blogs. And today I’m thankful that when we establish consistency it makes it that much sweeter when we throw it all to the wind and fall asleep together.

We wouldn’t know grace if there hadn’t been the law. 

The Father ran to His prodigal son because it wasn’t time for a spank, it was time for extravagant love, displayed through a hug, a coat, a party.

Do I throw enough parties for my kids?  Celebrate them? Run to them?

Be sure to pepper our days with wild undeserved grace?

And I don’t mean stuff, I mean the wild grace of our presence. The grace of falling asleep in her arms, of an hour spent repairing a Lego Starfighter so Jedi Dutch can fly again?

I’m learning. 

{How can you show extravagant grace by giving your presence to someone today? Perhaps the person who least deserves it is the best place to start. 🙂 Thanks for reading…}

 


16 thoughts on “Savoring these short days that feel so long.”

  3. Wonderful post! You’re so right on about this and very encouraging- we just had a baby girl in November and I can see what you mean about not having as much alone time with her compared to what I had with our son. I’ll be looking forward to treasuring moments like these! Thanks Kari!

    1. Oh girl, you are in the thick of it with a new baby girl! Praying you are blessed as you adjust to life with two! I’m so looking forward to reading that book you recommended to me. Love to you!

  5. My mom did this with me while my brother was at preschool and I still remember it to this day, 30 years old. Love those memories, and I know she did too. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂

    1. Really?! Oh that is so precious that you still remember. I remember my dad lying down to nap with me and then as soon as he was asleep I’d sneak out of bed… haha! 🙂 Have a great day!

  6. Yes, you will wish you had had more of these moments, no matter how many you have! I cherish the sweet smell of Jeffrey and his brothers, as I nestled them in my arms and savored them. Heidi and Dutch will remember and be blessed by the memories.

    1. Thank you, Momma, for nestling those boys of yours and loving them into strong men. I love my man who is your boy…

  8. She has the same love for her mommy that you’ve always had for yours–you are one lucky girl! Love the photo! You are absolutely glowing!!!

  9. This was perfect! I also have a girl who has the sweetest of apple breath and I love, love, love throwing it all to the wind sometimes just to soak up this precious time that I know will be gone too soon. Thank you for sharing~ God bless you and yours Kari!

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