It's about Time

I've been working on our 2006 family year book. (Just a few years behind!) The project, however, has gotten me pretty nostalgic. As I have poured over pictures, the memories have come flooding back. My little baby is not a little baby anymore, and I now have a new baby who is growing even faster than the first. It has all got me wondering: where does the time go?
And more importantly, what did I do with that time?

I would like to think I am not alone in my struggle with motherhood:

On the one hand, I absolutely adore my children. They truly are my most valuable treasures. I love being a mom and feel so blessed to be able to be home with these boys every single day. The walks, the art projects, cookie making, coloring, story time, music time, and plethera of activities that fill our days brings joy to them and to me.
On the other hand, how long does it really take to mix up a batch of cookies, color a picture, sing a song, read a story, do an art project, and take a walk. If you could tag along with West & I one day you would see that these things would be completed with half the morning to spare. That leaves the other half of the morning and the rest of the afternoon to fill until dad gets home, if he gets to come home that day. Sometimes all that time is daunting.
And then there are days that just fly by. There is laundry and cooking, cleaning, and projecting, and a million other demands on my time.

So time really is a funny concept for a mom. I want time for myself, time to be a wife, time to be a woman and a friend, time to create, time to express myself, time to be a mom, to play, be silly, laugh, run, walk, and be with my kiddos. I want time to sit still so I can enjoy these ages and stages. Yet I want the day to go quickly so I can see Jeff.
Isn't it a funny thing: all this time.

It's taken me awhile to learn this, but I am realizing that
there is a time for everything.
In the grand scheme of life, raising my children is a brief moment. And these beautiful years with them at home, before school, homework, games, practice and life takes over, will go quickly.
So for now, my time is theirs.

I just need to remind myself every so often.
A quote that I am loving right now:

You will always be your child's favorite toy.
~Vicki Lansky