"These ARE the days..."

I read a post not too long ago, about an experience a momma of littles had while vacationing at the beach with her family. I haven't been with my two, but I can imagine what prepping, planning, and packing that must be done, since just going to the library or park takes an extra half-hour (at least) for me. As they were struggling to leave the beach with all their stuff, with a two-year-old and 4-month-old in tow, she overhears an older man commented to his wife, "Those were the days, weren't they?" She explains, that since that moment, her views on parenting has changed, and reading her words, they've changed me too.

Since I became a mom, it's all a lot more difficult - but also more beautiful - than I ever thought. I've written before that somehow I thought I'd suddenly have it "all together" with a daily schedule and homemade meals. And if you're a parent and reading this, you know that that is just simply laughable. Each and everyday I struggle to find the balance of juggling chores that need to be done, fun time with my beautiful babies, time for myself, and moments to have a few conversations with my sweet husband.

These are the days that are filled with diaper changes, laundry, crumbs in crazy places, and dishes that never seem to all be done. They are full of bargaining with a threenager, comforting a fussy baby, and less sleep than we ever thought we could survive on. These are the days of to do lists that never get done, groceries that always need to be bought, and errands that stack up quicker than we can get to them. These are the days of something always needing to be cleaned, less money and time for ourselves, and a "fuller" midsection. These are the days that can bring out the worst in us, and are all-humbling. But these are also the days of morning snuggles, hugs and kisses from the purest of hearts, and us being our children's heroes. These are the days when the babies will just stare at us in wonder, and our toddlers are experiencing things for the first time with so much incredible joy. Our days will be filled with backyard bubbles, sidewalk chalk, ice cream cones, bath time fun, reading and rereading books, and tea party picnics. These are the days that seem long and short at the same time, and both amazing and frustrating. We will wonder if we're doing anything right, and then our children will say they want to be just like us when they grow up or doing something kind for someone else without being asked. Our hearts will fill with pride and happiness, as well as exhaustion and worry. These are the days friends.

So while most days seem monotonous, and like we're never actually accomplishing anything, they're also days we'll look back on and long for again someday. The same way we wish we could have one more kid free day to savor the moments of simplicity, someday our hearts will ache for the sweet sounds of a baby's voice, the feeling of a squishy toddler in our laps, the smell of sunshine on little sweaty bodies, and seeing a sweet smile just because. A line from Andy, in the last episode of "The Office", is one that will always stick with me: "I wish there was a way to know that you're in the 'good ol' days', before you've left them." We are lucky enough to get that chance, if we can just pause a little each day to remember that THESE ARE THE DAYS!