Time

Happy New Year!  I think this is a good way to start 2010.....

(This post originally appeared on February 25, 2009 and I think that this is a good day to repost it.....)

So this post is dedicated to all my friends out there who are potty training 2 boys, sending a child off to war, hoping and praying for more children, dropping off kids at college, becoming grandparents and mourning the loss of a child.

So basically everyone I know and those I only know through this blog.

You know that song by Lonestar.....Let Them Be Little.....I LOVELOVELOVE that song. Sometimes I can listen and smile and go on....sometimes, well I have tearstearstears. In May 2008, (and for about 4 months after) there was no way I could listen to the song without being a total and complete mess. I would literally have to turn the radio station if the song came on.

And then I see pictures of my kids.....and I want to tell everyone....Let Them Be Little. It's only that way for a while.

Enjoy each moment....don't wish away the time. You can't get it back.

Enjoy the little things and the big things.

Give hugs.

Take pictures. And print them.

Go to Grandma's...a lot.

Be present.

Let Them Be Little.

Let them sleep in your bed.....I can guarantee that doesn' t last forever. Mine barely step over the threshold into our room these days....maybe they figured out what REALLY goes on in there.........

Play outside. Shoot hoops....let them win. Once.

Tell stupid jokes. Laugh at their made-up jokes.

Eat dinner at the table every night.

Find out who they played with at recess. And why.

Experiment.

Cook with them. Even if its Hamburger Helper.

Tell funny stories from your childhood. And laugh at your brothers and sisters.

Pray for them.

Tell them no. And mean it.

Go to church.

Make family rules....you must help carry in the groceries and help put them away in order to eat. Help with the dinner clean up. Sweep the floor. Clean the bathroom. NO overnights on Saturdays.

Most of all.....

Let Them Be Little.

Just sayin'.