Thursday, October 11, 2012

Time

These days my to-do list tends to overflow.  
Overflow with things that will never get done. . . things that have to get done. . . things I don't want to get done. . . things that make me crazy until they get done. . .and things that make me want to drop everything and do the exact moment the idea comes to me. 

The house is never clutter free.  The homework will never end.  Piano practicing is always hanging over us.  There are books to read each night.  A blog that should be kept up.  Church work that keeps us busy.  Basketball practice to fit in.  Yard work stares me down every time I pull away from my house.  Meals are constantly needing to be prepped and dishes are never ending.  And laundry: you are truly my nemesis.

But then some days.  
I find myself driving down a perfectly quaint Providence street.  And I think to myself how dang lucky I am to call this city my home.  The old pioneer homes, kept up perfectly and set back from the road.  The big trees lining the street, covered in fall-ness.  And I can't help but forget where I was headed in the first place, pull over, unbuckle the toddler and let her crunch those perfectly crunchy fall leaves underneath her feet. 

At first she looks at me confused. . . where are we going?  Then she tentatively takes my hand as she walks through the leaf covered path.  And then. . . in true Stella fashion. . . she runs up and down that sidewalk.  Laughing at the sound her red shoes made.  
"No home, mommy!  Again!"

One of my biggest fears is that I will one day look back and wish I had enjoyed these early years with my kids.  Life is too busy.  So much gets in the way of what's really important.  I never regret ignoring the daily chores and making memories with my kids. . . I never regret forgetting the to-do list and running through sidewalks filled with golden leaves.


6 comments:

Tierra said...

This is so so cute and so Stella and I am LOVING the fall-ness of it. I am taking your approach completely and my house is in a general state of disaster because I cannot bring myself to spend enough time to keep it up. Glad you are enjoying fall Logan style--I want to come up to campus but in all honesty kinda have stayed away because I know it'll just make me homesick. :)

Sue said...

You have learned such a profound truth! Make the memories! Stella is such a cute little bug running thru the leaves! I want to run with her--Hugs!

J Payne said...

You have a wonderful way of expressing the life of a mother. Thank you for a beautiful post. Great example of stopping to smell the roses (or crush the leaves as it's Fall!).

Chelsea said...

This is so perfect! Love the pic

Chelsea said...

Oops...sorry about that. Love the pictures of perfect little Stella in all of those leaves! You are the best mom, I swear. Somehow you have time to stop and do this kind of thing but then somehow look like you get everything else done too.

smithfamilymoments said...

Katie you are such a wonderful Mom! Thanks so much for sharing this post and helping us remember to slow down and enjoy the little things! These are the moments that make life happiest!