Today was an interesting day. Jude and I went out to do a mystery shopping job, which was a new experiment for us. It gets us out of the house and brings in some extra money.
The two of us
That is a win in my book.
After our outing, lunch arrived and nap time. Glorious nap time!
Nap time is when I get everything done. I write, I eat, I revel in the quiet house. I think and find refreshment.
Jude, however, did not view this nap nearly as glorious. He struggled to fall asleep and then proceeded to wake up after just a short snooze. “What?!” I couldn’t believe it. “I need that time!” I begrudgingly walked up to the bedroom to find my little boy covered in tears, his little face red in frustration. He wasn’t ready to be awake either.
But awake he was.
These afternoons are the toughest. We both end up pulling each other’s hair out. I found myself dreading the seeming endless hours to fill before bedtime.
I held Jude. We talked and the afternoon went on… and on… and on. My plans flew out the window, to be picked up at a later time.
Days sometimes pass in a blur. A blur of starts, but no finishes, constantly changing directions.
These days can feel like a wash, or sometimes even a waste. But, I remind myself that they are not. Today, I loved, I comforted, I laughed, and I cared for a precious life. That is never a waste!
The days sometimes suck you in to their drama, you know? In my mind, the day’s happenings are my whole life. The ups and downs seem earth shattering. But, then tomorrow comes and erases today’s drama and replaces it with it’s own. I forget so quickly.
Perspective.
Today turns into tomorrow, tomorrow next week and next month. I do not have tomorrow, not yet. But, I do have today. I do have today.
Funny how we have to remind ourselves to live in the present. The future looks so temptingly bright, so pretty. Some days I want to look only there!
I will not look only there. I will set my sights there, but I will live here. I will live now. I will enjoy the process. I will enjoy my life!
I will therefore fill my lungs with the breath of today, my eyes with the sights before me. I will laugh, for todays frustrations will soon disappear. They will go down with the sun.
I pray that my eyesight will never grow so narrow as to not appreciate today. Today is a gift and I get to live it!
Question: How was your day?
Claudia whenever you talk about Jude it brings back memories for me of when my children were small. I can SO relate to the day you shared and I had many like that! My son Chris was a pretty good napper but my Matthew was too excited about life and found it very hard to shut down when it was light out! We lived with my dad while we built this house and Matt slept in a crib in the guest room. More days than not I would rock him and put him down for a nap while Chris was at preschool. I would just sit down to do something and hear his little feet hit the ground (he was a year old and was a world class climber!). He’s the only one of my kids that ever climbed out of his crib!! As soon as I heard those little feet hit the floor – I knew my time was done!! I always told him it’s a good thing he was so adorable – and he really was. Those days seem to drag on forever but you are so right – we forget them quickly and keeping perspective is the key. There are many times now that Matt is 25 (!!) that I would LOVE to go back for a day and hear his little feet hit the ground running to me! Anyway to answer your question (sorry to be so long winded) – my day yesterday was good – got more work done than I expected to and the computer repair guy called and will come set me up Monday – yay!!
Ann,
I love when you share your stories of your kids! It is so fun to hear what other moms did and the perspective they have when looking back. It is healing for me.
hahaa, it sounds like Jude and Matthew have a similar approach towards life 🙂 To much to see and do to sleep!!! haha I do the same thing, look at Jude and just smile. You have to, those chubby feet and cheeks are just irresistible!
Thank you for this wonderful glance back into your life! I think your children are blessed to have a mama like you!
Oh yay for your computer guy! I know what it is like to try to blog etc without a computer handy…
Jude is an absolute doll!! His chubby cheeks remind me of my Christopher! You have to just smile when you look at those beautiful little faces!
hahaha! I agree Ann!!! 🙂
Your story echoes such similar patterns in my own life. Our CK has never been a napper for whatever reason. We envied those parents that talked of their kids taking those daily naps, so we’d never get that “break”. When you have a 2 year old in your lap while you’re on the phone talking to customers, it doesn’t make for an easy ride – but it made me appreciate the opportunities I had to simply be there with her and spend time with her. I have learned (and have to relearn often) how life’s interruptions are simple opportunities to either test our character or maybe God’s re-directions to focus on something more important. I have been planning on cutting the grass for 2 days now, but when I’m done working, either my little one so beautifully asks for some playtime (which is hard to refuse!) or my wife needs to run an errand. Oh well – the grass will still be there, but my family may not.
Michael,
Yes, those nap times have been such a precious time for me! Without them, I find it challenging to keep a good attitude! So, bless you if you or your wife are not getting that break!
hahaha, and your grass just keeps growing right?! It doesn’t stop and wait for you to catch up 🙂
Finding the right balance is so important, it sounds like you are doing exactly that for your family Michael!
Claudia, I love the picture of you and Jude. You look so beautiful and little Jude is a beautiful baby! Makes me think back to my two when they were his age. I agree with Ann, I sometimes wish I could hear those little feet running to me again. The greatest joy I have is that I’ve raised two very happy and successful children. My day was good. I really appreciated your words of encouragement. Now, how is your writing the childrens book going?? How is Michaels music business going also? I loved the daily updates when we were doing the focus. I miss them. Have a great day today.
Wow, thank you Donna! That blesses me!
I love to hear that perspective from you moms that have been where I am…
It makes me appreciate the moments (all of them) even more because I see how precious the days are!
Thanks for asking about my book and Michael’s biz! Both are going well. We are making lots of headway with the business which has been really encouraging. I am working on creating some niche time slots for me to work on the book.
We loved the daily updates in the focus challenge as well. We are thinking about doing another one in the near future 🙂
Courage and wisdom to you for this day!
Great perspective, Claudia!! 🙂
haha, well thank you dear friend Annette! I appreciate it! 🙂
My days are many starts and rare finishes. I so get that. Working on being present, as well. Good words.
Thank you Angel!
Yes, I am just beginning the mom journey, but am loving connecting with all of you that have been there for much longer than I 😉
Blessings to you today friend!