Nine years ago today, I was impatiently waiting for my first child to be born. She was due on November 9, but decided that was about a week too soon for her. Next week, my oldest turns NINE. It’s funny how we can go from “can’t wait til we outgrow this phase” to “holy crap, where are the brakes on this thing?!” in such a short time.
For me it was the realization that my oldest child will now be halfway through her childhood years (well, legally and I realize that it’s not a magical *poof* now you’re an adult thing, but for simplicity’s sake, we’ll stick with 18 being the age of adulthood starting).
Suddenly I’m seeing things that I’ve always looked ahead to staring me in the face.
Suddenly she’s actually help in the kitchen.
Suddenly she’s asking questions that really don’t have a concrete answer. Trying to figure out life.
It’s scary. It’s exciting. It’s humbling.
It’s looking at her and realizing that she’s really studying the things I do, now she’s REALLY paying attention.
It’s hearing the voice of your child calling you on an inconsistency in your words and your actions.
It’s knowing that your child knows you better than most because they are with you all day, everyday.
It’s realizing how thankful you are to know that the one who is actually raising your child, investing in your child, shaping your child, guiding them on figuring out this life is YOU because no earthly being could love them more than you.
It’s realizing how thankful you are to know that you have not missed these vitally important years.
Life can get so busy for all of us, BUT it is never a lesser choice to invest in your child.
I only have one question: WHO is about to stick their finger into Gage’s frap?
😉
Ha! That was MY homemade frap and it was Julia. She thought she was being SOOO funny. I let her keep her finger though. 😉
Love this! My daughter was due on November 8th or 9th (can’t remember right now! eek!) but she decided she was ready early! Her birthday was November 3. And she turned 19 years old. You aren’t kidding about the brakes thing!! I wish I could’ve done that before now! Next year is REALLY gonna freak me out, I tell ya! I am NOT old enough to have a 20 year old ADULT! lol!
Your kids are such cutie patooties!! 😀
Thanks, Donetta! I don’t think I ever truly believed how fast this time would go when I was in the midst of night-time feedings and sleep issues of infants & toddlers.
Happy belated birthday to your daughter! 🙂
Thanks, Vicki! Yeah, time seems to drag in those days doesn’t it! haha! Then it picks up momentum and doesn’t slow down!
This baby will be your first kid I get to be within 200 miles when they are born. Can’t wait!
well said and so true!
Thank you!