The Little Things

How sweet it must be to be a baby.  One my most favorite things is to watch how our newest baby is  just in awe of every thing.  The first time he got to check out an apple.  He thought it was the greatest thing in the world.  Like he was holding the world in his hand.

Life is so simple for them.  Pictures in books, singing ‘Patty Cake’ with hand movements…they love all of  it.  Why do we grow up and turn into needing so much stimulation?  We don’t appreciate the little things.  We aren’t impressed by much.  It makes me sad.

Our 4th child has just discovered he can open doors.  He loves it…he feels a new sense of freedom.  A new sense of freedom that scares us all.  Opening doors means toilets, dangerous toys in his mouth.  We can hardly keep him in a safe place anymore.

My older children turn into miniature parents running around calling his name in annoyance when we can’t find him.  Let’s see…we have found him playing with tub toys in the toilet (yuck), we have found him in Daddy’s office punching away at keys on the keyboard or clicking away on his mouse.  I can’t believe how hard it is to take care of a toddler.

I love the first years of life with my kids because discovery is a true blessing from God.  Our babies remind us of how special it is to see the moon shine bright in the sky, or to see a plane soar through the air, how about birds as they chirp loudly and  jump from tree branch to tree branch.

I love the little things.  If you haven’t noticed the little things lately…stop and look.  Watch and listen to the trees blow in the wind.  If you are out at night, look up at the stars…even if there are only a few…they are beautiful and amazing especially if you consider what they really are.

My biggest boys’ first words were “pane” (plane) and “chuck”(truck).  Every time he saw or heard one he said the word.  The cutest thing was they were every where.  So the whole time in the car I would be replying to him…”yes sweetie a truck, yes a plane, yep there’s another truck”.  I still can hear his sweet voice and his little fat finger pointing away with his innocent enthusiasm.

It was things that were alive, anything that moved for my daughter (bugs, animals, fish)…she still hasn’t changed.  She still sees animals and flowers like it is for the first time.  I find it hard to engage sometimes just because she wants me to see at the most inconvenient times…but I have to remind myself…this is why I am here …for them…to be their Mama and let them share all that comes up, with me.

New things are great but seeing things for the first time is amazing.  So if you have a young child…enjoy their new experiences with them because it goes away.  You know something to think about…you will know your kids longer as adults then as children.

That concept is hard to wrap your head around while they are there consuming your life… but it is true.  So engage with your children as they discover new things with a sweet innocent mind. It is a special but temporary gift.

If you don’t have kids you can still find joy in the little things.  Every one was a child once and the little things are what you started out with.  The little things were what made you happy in the beginning of your life!  Isn’t that so beautifully simple?