The other night when I went to tuck Brooke into bed, I could tell something was weighing heavily on her heart. He little lips started to quiver when I held her close. Then the tears started to flow as she exclaimed, "I don't want to be a big girl!"
"What are you talking about Brooke?" I asked with much curiosity.
"Well, everyone keeps talking about how my 9th birthday is coming up in just a few days and how I'll be such a big girl then. Jackson and Hope and Ashley keep telling me now that I'll be a big girl I have to act big and I can't act little anymore. And then before you know it, I'll have to LEAVE (huge sobs here) you and Daddy and move away and go to college and just, just, live somewhere else (pronounced ehhhhelllllzzzzz) and well it's just all stressing me out."
I bit my lips together to keep from smiling. "Sweetheart, you don't have to leave or go to college today--- or even tomorrow, or even next year, or for several years after that. And you certainly don't have to be a big girl today. As a matter of fact, we can declare that for our home, you don't reach big girl status until you're like ten or even eleven! Okay?"
Then as quickly as all that emotion swept into her little bedroom, it was gone. She grabbed her most faithful friends, Tyggie, Shakey, and Jackson Jr. (her teddy bear named in honor of her big brother), prayed a little prayer, and kissed me goodnight. Life was good. The problems of the world now solved!
What an honor to share such an incredible moment with one precious girl. And isn't that the way it is with motherhood? We do, and give, and clean, and serve, and love, and wash, and kiss, and wash some more. Yes, it can be tiring and monotonous. But tangled in and around all the doing is a gift of being. Being there to witness a person grow, discover, learn, and become is such an incredible thing.
So many times I've let mile markers slip by without realizing it. I don't remember day that marked the last diaper that I would ever change as a mommy. I mean I changed what seemed like thousands of diapers and then one day, that was it. I don't remember the last time I carried my oldest daughter. I mean I toted her on my hip for what seemed like years. And then one day I toted her for the last time, and that was it. And I don't remember the last time I tucked my middle daughter into bed as a little girl. But there was surely a moment when she woke up and had become a big girl, and that was it.
So, maybe it is because I have a touch of the good ol' PMS and am a bit more emotional than usual. (I'm getting all sentimental over diapers for heaven's sake!) Or maybe it's because God has given me a gift with my last little one. But I've determined that Brooke's passing from little to big will not go unnoticed. I will savor and memorize every moment of it.
Oh and by the way, as I'm finishing this post my teenagers are stirring and suddenly my home is filled with the thumping and pumping beats of big kid songs. Can you believe I can still sing Barney songs and actually miss them every now and then--- "I love you, you love me" has turned into "Dolla' dollar bill y'all" or something like that. I can't even understand half the words. Oh sigh.
Maybe this Christmas there are some memories you need to savor as well. Write a comment below and you'll be entered into today's drawing. And it is really ONE COOL CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY today!!!
First, yesterday's winner----Content and Joyfilled in Burnsville! E-mail me at Lysa1@Proverbs31.org and give me your e-mail and mailing address and we'll get your gifts out to you right away! Congrats!
Now for today's giveaway--- Sponsored by Karen Ehman!
Here's a note from Karen-
I am a homeschooling mom of three who lives in Michigan and, perhaps like you, deals with sibling rivalry, endless to do lists. I love to provide women with practical, doable ideas to help them to connect with their God and love on their family and friends.
For my give away I am offering a chance to win a signed copy of my newest book to be released January 1st along with a Starbucks gift card so you can find a few minutes to steal away to a quiet spot and read your new book! And my children will be quick to point out that the book being personalized and signed, means it will be worth a quarter more at your garage sale someday!
Here’s a description of the book you’ll win:
♥ The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized- The key to good organization is not a one-size-fits-all method. It is a unique plan that considers personality type, lifestyle, income level, and family schedule. Author and speaker, Karen Ehman believes that with her simple step by step process moms can recognize their own personal style of managing their households successfully and develop a unique plan that gives them the freedom to:
manage their time wisely
declutter and organize their homes
plan menus, shop more efficiently, and become more comfortable and creative in the kitchen
get children involved in pursuing an ordered life and home
avoid the trap of overcommitment
use practical tools to assist in organization
Getting and staying organized means more time for the important things in family life, concentrating on cultivating a close, personal relationship with the Creator, drawing His word into every aspect of living, and ultimately tying their children’s heartstrings to God.
I’m glad to get to know you. Stop by my website http://www.karenehman.com/ and check my speaking schedule to see if I’ll be coming to your area. I’d love to meet you in person!
Here’s Karen’s official bio: Karen Ehman has been described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny and downright real. She is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries national speaking team and is a columnist for the Hearts at Home monthly magazine, an organization for which she also teaches workshops and is on the drama team. She has her own weekly radio spot on the WCIC family of radio stations in central Illinois entitled “The Keep It Simple Woman”.
Karen is the author of four books and has been a guest on national television and radio programs including The 700 Club, At Home Live, Engaging Women, The Harvest Show, Moody Midday Connection and Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.
She has been married for over 20 years to her best friend Todd and is the mother of three sometimes quarrelsome, but mostly charming children: Mackenzie 16, Mitchell 12 and Spencer 9. Before motherhood, Karen was a teacher and cheer leading coach who actually had hobbies. Now she spends her days homeschooling, carpooling, or parked in the volleyball bleachers or little league stands. Though hopelessly craft-challenged with pitiful, partially finished scrapbooks, she enjoys baking and cooking and has won several blue ribbon rosettes at various county fairs for her cookies, cakes, pies and breads.
"What are you talking about Brooke?" I asked with much curiosity.
"Well, everyone keeps talking about how my 9th birthday is coming up in just a few days and how I'll be such a big girl then. Jackson and Hope and Ashley keep telling me now that I'll be a big girl I have to act big and I can't act little anymore. And then before you know it, I'll have to LEAVE (huge sobs here) you and Daddy and move away and go to college and just, just, live somewhere else (pronounced ehhhhelllllzzzzz) and well it's just all stressing me out."
I bit my lips together to keep from smiling. "Sweetheart, you don't have to leave or go to college today--- or even tomorrow, or even next year, or for several years after that. And you certainly don't have to be a big girl today. As a matter of fact, we can declare that for our home, you don't reach big girl status until you're like ten or even eleven! Okay?"
Then as quickly as all that emotion swept into her little bedroom, it was gone. She grabbed her most faithful friends, Tyggie, Shakey, and Jackson Jr. (her teddy bear named in honor of her big brother), prayed a little prayer, and kissed me goodnight. Life was good. The problems of the world now solved!
What an honor to share such an incredible moment with one precious girl. And isn't that the way it is with motherhood? We do, and give, and clean, and serve, and love, and wash, and kiss, and wash some more. Yes, it can be tiring and monotonous. But tangled in and around all the doing is a gift of being. Being there to witness a person grow, discover, learn, and become is such an incredible thing.
So many times I've let mile markers slip by without realizing it. I don't remember day that marked the last diaper that I would ever change as a mommy. I mean I changed what seemed like thousands of diapers and then one day, that was it. I don't remember the last time I carried my oldest daughter. I mean I toted her on my hip for what seemed like years. And then one day I toted her for the last time, and that was it. And I don't remember the last time I tucked my middle daughter into bed as a little girl. But there was surely a moment when she woke up and had become a big girl, and that was it.
So, maybe it is because I have a touch of the good ol' PMS and am a bit more emotional than usual. (I'm getting all sentimental over diapers for heaven's sake!) Or maybe it's because God has given me a gift with my last little one. But I've determined that Brooke's passing from little to big will not go unnoticed. I will savor and memorize every moment of it.
Oh and by the way, as I'm finishing this post my teenagers are stirring and suddenly my home is filled with the thumping and pumping beats of big kid songs. Can you believe I can still sing Barney songs and actually miss them every now and then--- "I love you, you love me" has turned into "Dolla' dollar bill y'all" or something like that. I can't even understand half the words. Oh sigh.
Maybe this Christmas there are some memories you need to savor as well. Write a comment below and you'll be entered into today's drawing. And it is really ONE COOL CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY today!!!
First, yesterday's winner----Content and Joyfilled in Burnsville! E-mail me at Lysa1@Proverbs31.org and give me your e-mail and mailing address and we'll get your gifts out to you right away! Congrats!
Now for today's giveaway--- Sponsored by Karen Ehman!
Here's a note from Karen-
I am a homeschooling mom of three who lives in Michigan and, perhaps like you, deals with sibling rivalry, endless to do lists. I love to provide women with practical, doable ideas to help them to connect with their God and love on their family and friends.
For my give away I am offering a chance to win a signed copy of my newest book to be released January 1st along with a Starbucks gift card so you can find a few minutes to steal away to a quiet spot and read your new book! And my children will be quick to point out that the book being personalized and signed, means it will be worth a quarter more at your garage sale someday!
Here’s a description of the book you’ll win:
♥ The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized- The key to good organization is not a one-size-fits-all method. It is a unique plan that considers personality type, lifestyle, income level, and family schedule. Author and speaker, Karen Ehman believes that with her simple step by step process moms can recognize their own personal style of managing their households successfully and develop a unique plan that gives them the freedom to:
manage their time wisely
declutter and organize their homes
plan menus, shop more efficiently, and become more comfortable and creative in the kitchen
get children involved in pursuing an ordered life and home
avoid the trap of overcommitment
use practical tools to assist in organization
Getting and staying organized means more time for the important things in family life, concentrating on cultivating a close, personal relationship with the Creator, drawing His word into every aspect of living, and ultimately tying their children’s heartstrings to God.
I’m glad to get to know you. Stop by my website http://www.karenehman.com/ and check my speaking schedule to see if I’ll be coming to your area. I’d love to meet you in person!
Here’s Karen’s official bio: Karen Ehman has been described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny and downright real. She is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries national speaking team and is a columnist for the Hearts at Home monthly magazine, an organization for which she also teaches workshops and is on the drama team. She has her own weekly radio spot on the WCIC family of radio stations in central Illinois entitled “The Keep It Simple Woman”.
Karen is the author of four books and has been a guest on national television and radio programs including The 700 Club, At Home Live, Engaging Women, The Harvest Show, Moody Midday Connection and Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.
She has been married for over 20 years to her best friend Todd and is the mother of three sometimes quarrelsome, but mostly charming children: Mackenzie 16, Mitchell 12 and Spencer 9. Before motherhood, Karen was a teacher and cheer leading coach who actually had hobbies. Now she spends her days homeschooling, carpooling, or parked in the volleyball bleachers or little league stands. Though hopelessly craft-challenged with pitiful, partially finished scrapbooks, she enjoys baking and cooking and has won several blue ribbon rosettes at various county fairs for her cookies, cakes, pies and breads.
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