Bigger Things

Slowly, it's dawning on me.

We are moving on to bigger things.  I don't know if these things bigger and better, exactly.  Not yet. 

Just a few years ago, I posted Superhero Undies in the Toilet and The Boo Boo Sock.

When we moved in to this house, we had to put a step ladder up in the bathrooms so they could reach the sink.

We devoted an entire downstairs room to toys and play, because that's what the kids were doing at ages 1, 2, and 5.

The kids are now 5, 6 and 9 going on 5, 7 and 10 very, very soon (Hulk Boy's not 6 'til August).

Whew!  Those 4 years flew by in an exhausting, busy blur.

I once a shared with a friend that all of motherhood feels like a stone being "washed" in the ocean.  It rolls back and forth with the tides and the turbulent breakwaters, and finally ends up on the beach.

After a quick breath of respite, the water comes back and pulls it back in the ocean.  Into the turbulence and the deep water.  The briny saltwater, the grittiness of sand, the unsearchable depths, and the occasional beating on the shore make the perfect metaphor for parenthood, really.

From the first weeks of parenthood - the sleep deprivation, the self-deprivation, and learning to care for a teeny tiny completely dependent person - it's like being pulled out into the deep waters.  Those toddler years are all about survival.  Kick, swim, doggie paddle - whatever it takes to keep your head above water.  Filled with doctor visits, teething, crawling, walking, nursing, baby food and finger foods - there's barely a moment to catch your breath.

You all know what I'm talking about.

Somehow, in the process, we are molded, polished, and refined.  We no longer look like the fresh-faced parents we were with baby #1.  We're seasoned, polished parenting veterans.  We may not look the best, but I think we've improved with age.  In endurance, perseverance, discipline, and love.  Compassion, mercy, foriveness...and a slew of other things that come with raising children.

Yes, a SLEW!



And now...

We've decided to move the playroom upstairs.  We actually reclaimed the former playroom and turned it into a really nice living room.  It's wonderful!  We don't even allow toys in it.  Can you believe that?  We quarantine all toys to the playroom and their bedroom.

I don't think I've picked up a toy all week.  While trying to recover from that change, I had another revelation.  The kids don't need the stepstool in the bathroom anymore.  I put a simple one-step bench in there, and they're fine!  And then...I realized we no longer need our baby-proofing gear.  The plug covers, doorknob covers, toilet seat lock, and magnetized locked drawers are now OUTMODED.

WHAT?!?!  How is that possible?  I thought this stage would never end!!!

Just when you think those "little years" will never end (don't get me wrong - there was a lot of joy for us in those years)...the fog lifts.  All of a sudden, I can work on a blog while the children play upstairs.  They don't need me for anything.  I might not see them for an hour or two and they're fine.  Absolutely fine.

Gasp!  It hits me hard:  "They don't need me anymore?  But I'm their MOM!"

And then I hear...the quiet.  The peace and quiet!

I've taken to enjoying this time in the afternoon.  Either I give them a project, send them to the playroom, declare reading time, or send them outside to play (in nice weather, which currently means 32 degrees or warmer when all kiddos are healthy.  We have plenty of hats, coats, gloves and scarves.  This is what they were designed for, right?).

I don't quite know what to do with this freedom yet, but I'll think of something.

Although it will probably include getting laundry and dishes done, I can dream of doing something new, fun, and personally uplifting.  I'll just have to do that one of these days.  Maybe I'll take up exercising again!  (I know...hold on there, honey - you're dreaming too big here.  Reign it in!)

The possibilities are just beginning to surface.

Bigger things, here we come!