This Time is Precious

Today, I am so grateful to be a Mother and a homemaker.

I can see that this time is precious and will be gone before I know it.
 Lately these words have been going through my head and I know the are true...

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will - to your surprise - miss them profoundly." - President Thomas S. Monson

 I am sure he is right, someday I WILL miss these 5 loud and messy little boys running through my house,  profoundly. 

 It feels like just the other day I was starting out as a Mother with this little bundle in my arms.

Now he has grown into a tall and handsome young man.  And it happened in the blink of an eye:)

Do you ever look at your children and realize just how fast they are growing up?

This month as I have tried to slow down and appreciate all the simple joys and blessings in my life, I have felt very sentimental about my family. One early morning I was looking at my oldest boy--up on his own at 5:30am to go to a seminary class to study the Old Testament before school --I was filled with so much love for this child of mine and a longing to stop time. 

 Connor is 14--that only gives me a little more than 3 years to have him in our home before he is off to college and more!  With that in mind, I felt a desire to do better about being "present" as a Mother.
. 

 To really soak up and enjoy these years we have together.

I know that you can be home with them, but not really" there" when your mind is off  in another place amd your busy with projects and such.  I am guilty of this at times. 
This family is my number one priority right now.  I felt a new determination to have my time, energy and talents reflect this:) Some other ambitions and activities will have to take a backseat for now. Their time will come--just not now!

 I am learning that babies don't keep and children grow up way too fast! 

 I heard once that  "it is impossible to be a perfect Mother, but that there are a million ways to be a great one!"  
 What a happy thought:)