Treading Water vs. Floating Along

     Life really is about perspective.  One day I might look at this pile of laundry and think - HELP!  On another day, if I am rested and fed and have taken a moment to be grateful, I can look at this same heaping pile of laundry as a way for me to bring blessings to my family.  Motherhood is full of small moments that, when looked upon it the right way add up to big memories.

 

 

Like my days at home with Ava.  Sometimes she just goes out in the backyard and plays and talks to pretend playmates, and pours rocks all over the cool deck, and stares at the birds and just looks so innocent and sweet and happy.  And I soak it in.

 

 

 

Or Paolo will pull out the domino set and play quietly on the kitchen floor and then come get me from whatever I am doing and tell me I have to come look and see what he has done and I will say I am busy and then remember that I need to stop sometimes just to look and then...........I LOVE MOM!

 

 

I want to remember the way Diego has ALWAYS played while watching any sporting event on TV - and he still does.  Our stuffed football gets thrown around as he makes diving catches onto the couch.  Or during hockey he and Paolo will have knee hockey tournaments while the TV games go on.  I wish I had pictures of this.

 

 

 

Or Jules and Elise - getting so grown up and helpful.  Learning how to cook and bake.  I know I will remember how they fight and irritate each other like true sisters but I will also remember all the little games they play peacefully together - making lockers in the living room furniture or pretending they are on Food Network or Four Weddings. 

 

It is so easy for me to feel like I am just treading water - barely getting done what needs to be done, struggling to find time to spend with the kids, going to bed with my list unchecked.  But treading water is exhausting and it doesn't really get you anywhere.  I want to learn to submerge myself in the water and float along where life sends me.  I want to look at the days blessings and not the inevitable stresses that come along.  I would like to do a little less treading and a little more floating.