Monday, February 23, 2009

Things are changing...

Gosh it's been almost a month since I last blogged, i'm so bad at this! haha! Things have been crazy busy around here and we're finally starting to get into something of a routine but it's super hard sometimes. Logyn is doing awesome though and the kids are doing great with her which makes things so much easier. She's now 5 weeks old and i'm really having a hard time figuring out where the last 5 weeks have gone. It's gone by so fast and yet at the same time it feels like she's been here forever so it's kind mixed.

I've been kinda surprised at how easy it's been going from 2 to 3, not that it's been super easy by any means, it's just gone better that I was planning...of course I have a tendency to plan for the worst and worry about things. :o) The hardest thing so far has been keeping up with everything and still making time for Konner and Lexi, I really slacked off with my one on one time with them and especially Konner. But I really started working on making sure I set that time aside with him and things have changed a lot.

The last few weeks at church, Pastor David has been teaching on "Praise in the house" and teaching how to praise effectively, and also why we praise, and the benefits of praise. So about a week ago we got the kids a Hillsongs Kids dvd and watched it the next morning first thing. I could not believe the difference in our house that day!!! I told Colby that night that we hadn't had such a good day in weeks and I was seriously shocked! So we have been trying to start our day off with praise music and just set the atmosphere for the day early on and the changes have just been awesome. Last week was so much better than the weeks before, I was able to discipline better, I had more patience with the kids, I was able to get more done but yet still found time to spend with the kids as well as finally start reading my Bible every day. I seriously could not believe how different the week was just by changing that one thing, of course the fact that I read my Bible first thing every morning i'm sure played a huge part in it too. I guess when you start the day off putting God first He helps you align you priorities better...funny how that works! :o)

We are super busy this week though, Konner's birthday is next Sunday so we are having his party this Thursday night. He's so excited that he's finally getting his Batman party...he's been asking for it since Lexi's birthday back in November! We're planning on getting him his first bike and I can't wait for him to see it! Gosh it's so hard for me to believe he's gonna be 4! It does not seem like that much time has gone by since he was born. I remember so well the day he was born, as well as his first birthday and so many other "firsts". But when I remember all of his "firsts" I can't help but think of the poem that Karen Kingsbury wrote called "Let me hold you longer". She talks about the "firsts" but focuses on the "lasts" and as Konner's growing up and changing from my baby into a little boy i'm trying to remember to watch for those "lasts" because those will be just as precious to me as his "firsts". So here's the poem if you've never read it and if you have kids you might want to have a tissue ready! :o)

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.