Pause Life for a Moment Archives - Page 4 of 6

Pause Life for a Moment: hands on: as we grow

September 27, 2011 By Deirdre

I am so excited about having Jamie of hands on: as we grow guest posting here today. She runs an amazing play blog filled with great ideas, she co-hosts a wonderful link up on Thursdays called It’s Playtime,and so much more. I could go on and on about all the things in the blog world she is a part of, but the thing I am most proud of sharing with your is that she is a blogging friend. She inspires me to play and learn with my son.

Pause.

Wait.

Yep, that’s it.

A pause.

A break to breathe. Take in. Observe. Relax.

I’ve found there are four times to pause in life.

And all four have one thing in common.

They’re all guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

A Pause for the Present. When the kids are playing nicely in the toy corner. You’re relaxing, watching them. The older one asks the younger one if he can play with that toy and waits for it to be handed to him. These occurrences often make me pause and enjoy the current stage my boys are in and appreciate myself for doing something right.

A Pause for the Past. When the youngest takes his first steps. Or your preschooler pedals his trike for the first time. These are moments when I’ve learned to reflect on the past and see how life has (and still is) changing daily. Remembering moments is priceless.

A Pause for the Future. Taking your preschooler to his first day of school. Or bringing your newborn baby home from the hospital. You can only imagine what’s in store for you and your kids. The what-ifs and whens of graduation, weddings, and maybe even your own grandkids! A moment to dream of what life is going to bring your way next.

And the last pause in life I’ve found is called A Pause for Sanity. During which you need to breathe and relax and pause for a moment and go through the previous three pauses just to get through the chaos of day to day living with children! When your preschooler is asking the never-ending whys and the baby is screaming for who knows what. Pause. Take in the present, past, and future. And remember how very precious your kids really are and how very great of a parent you are.

Smile.

Please stop by hands on: as we grow and see the wonderful things Jamie is sharing this week.

Pausing Life for a Moment- We need to pause in the afternoon

September 20, 2011 By Deirdre

JDaniel has stopped taking naps. He would still take them if I wrestled him down and forced it, but then he would be up until ten o’clock chatting in his bed. So, we have stopped with naps.

He still needs to slow down in the afternoon and read, rest or play upstairs. We are calling this time “quiet time”. It isn’t always quiet and he spends a whole a lot of time wanting to know when the kitchen timer is going to beep. (When it beeps, he is released from being sequestered and can come downstairs.)

JDaniel sometimes sits at the top of the stairs and sings to see if I will do anything.

No, he is allowed to continue to sit at the top of the stairs. He just can’t come down the stairs.

When he does he is guided back upstairs and strongly reminded to stay upstairs or he will lose his snack.

(Snack is greatly desired in the afternoon at our house.)

Last week when he called down to ask if it were time and I replied that it wasn’t, his small voice muttered, “You have to be kidding.”

I suppressed a laugh. I knew the words he had just muttered where mine.

I wrote a few weeks ago about my words spreading to my son and here was a reminder that they had not only spread but had been planted in his memory.

When had I said those words? I couldn’t remember then and I still can’t.

I could hear his feet shuffling over my head as he moved from the hallway to his room almost in defeat.

I don’t think he thought the timer would ever go off.

One hour of time seems like a lifetime to pause from being with me to have time to play, read, or rest on your own to him. Yet we both need some “quiet time” even if it seems like a will never end for one of us.

Do you have a “quiet time” at your house in the afternoon?

Pause Life for a Moment- Taking Time to Remember

September 13, 2011 By Deirdre

There has been so much going on lately here in the U.S. There have been floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, the anniversary of 9/11, droughts, etc..

This week instead of asking someone to share their thoughts on pausing life for a moment or sharing more of my own. I decided I needed to provide an opportunity for all of us to pause.

Please just take a moment to pray for the people affected by any or all of the events listed above. If you have something else you would rather pray or pause your thoughts on for a moment, please feel free to do so.

I am hoping that just taking moment to pause and to focus our thoughts on something or someone else today will not only help them, but help us today.

Pause Life for a Moment- Be Still a Minute

September 6, 2011 By Deirdre

Sometimes you visit a blog and realize you and the blog’s writer are kindred spirits. I felt that way when I first visited Be Still a Minute’s blog. Her words hit home with me each time I read them. I haven’t been through all the things she has in her life, but I do feel like I have learned from them. You are blessed to get to read some of her wonderful today.

I’m Gonna Miss This

We live in a small town. The kind you can’t go to the post office or grocery store without running into someone you know and it never fails that each time I have my boys (ages 12 and 8) with me, someone will say, “My, those boys sure are growing up on you… getting so big, aren’t they?!”

And I always say, “Yes, they sure are.”

Funny how that happens. But when we see them every day we don’t realize just how fast it is happening which is why it is so very important to take time out now and then, pause our lives for a moment, snap a few photos, write a blog post or just take a big deep breath of the here, the present, the right now….the life that is happening all around us.

I’m not going to lie, life with my two boys, who are in an almost constant state of sibling rivalry, can get a little hectic at times. Okay that’s an understatement. It can get downright insane and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to take deep breaths while simultaneously counting down and praying for the strength not to jump on the crazy train and bang my head against the wall.

And yet somehow, miraculously, by the grace of God, I find myself remembering to be thankful for the noise, the dirty socks all over the house that never match up when I wash them, the cleats, book bags, and ball gloves that I’m forever tripping over, the stinky guinea pig cage that I know I will have to remind them to clean yet again, the countless trips to the baseball field, the piles of dirty laundry that never end and the all too common arguments over the bathroom sink, laptop or last chocolate chip cookie.

Because just like that Trace Adkins song that was so popular a couple of years ago I know that one day, in the not so distant future, I’m gonna miss this….I’m gonna want this back…I’m gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast…

I already find myself missing the days when they still sat on my lap, held my hand, couldn’t go anywhere without that favorite ball cap or priceless Curious George stuffed animal, asked for “piggy-ride backs” to bed and thought I knew everything.

So I will continue to remind myself to pray, breathe, pause life for a moment, and just be thankful for the present…the here… the right now, no matter how chaotic it is, because those two boys of mine? They sure are growing up on me!

Please stop by Be Still a Minute and browse through her amazing posts.

Pause Life for a Moment- Mommy of a Monster and Twins

August 30, 2011 By Deirdre

JDaniel starts preschool this morning. This wonderful post by Natalie of Mommy of a Monster and Twins reminds me that time is fleeting and JDaniel will not always be there to ask me to play.

I love visiting Mommy of a Monster and Twins. Natalie write very honest and funny posts about being a mom. I know I will find posts that will challenge me, humor me or make me cheer “Yeah!” when I read them. I hope that after reading her post below you will stop by and read more of her work.

Thoughts from Mommy of a Monster and Twins

I opened the front door and was immediately hit with a wall of heat. It was a typical summer day in Southern California, and by 9 in the morning was already unbearably hot. I had a million things to do: blog posts to write, freelance writing to get done, not to mention laundry and cleaning to do. And on top of that, the kids spilled juice all over the floor at breakfast which meant that I was also going to get to mop my kitchen floor for the second day in a row.

I wasn’t looking forward to doing any of it. But it had to get done, so I got to it first thing in the morning, by taking out the trash. And of course while I was out there, I noticed the weeds that needed to be pulled and the leaves that had to be raked up. Two more things to add to the never-ending To Do list.

The kids ran outside, Lila and Mia in their diapers and Ethan in his swim trunks. “Mom!”, he said. “It’s so nice and sunny! Can we play in the sprinklers?”

“No Ethan. I have too much work to do.”

“You have to get on the computer again? You are always on the computer! Can’t you just play with us?”

Then the two-year-old twins chimed in with “Play, Mommy! Play!”

Which is exactly what I decided to do.

Because the computer, the writing, the blog reading and writing will always be there and there will always be too much of it to ever finish completely. In 20 years, when my kids are (hopefully!) out of the house, I know I will look back on these days and wish that I would’ve spent more time with them, having fun and enjoying them.

So the last couple of weeks, I have been on the computer less and less. In fact, on Friday and Saturday I didn’t check emails or write anything! I have been pausing the everyday chaos of life and enjoying my children – watching them run and play and laugh and learn. I have been taking pleasure in those small moments that I know are really the big ones.

And guess what? I honestly haven’t missed the computer all that much. I think a lot of us bloggers get sucked in to feeling like we have to be on the computer 24/7 or that we might miss something. I’m trying to find the balance of both worlds instead of being slave to just the one…even though I love it and could never give it up entirely.

I realize that I need the pauses and I want the pauses too. Thank you Deirdre, not only for the honor of sharing your space with you, but also for making me pause. Because it was reading through all of these beautiful pauses here that made me realize that I haven’t been pausing enough.

How will you pause this week?

Pause Life for a Moment- Bees with Honey

August 23, 2011 By Deirdre

Today’s guest poster is a mom after my own heart. Bruna of Bees with Honey is truly special. I see beauty in her lovely blog, get to read her heartfelt words in her posts, but it was really through chatting with her via e-mail and on Twitter that I really saw her inner beauty.

We have never met in person yet I feel like I have had wonderful conversations with a friend when I talk with her.

You are so blessed to get to read her words here today.

I was really surprised when Deirdre asked me to write something for her Pause Life for a Moment series. More than surprised, I was honoured that she wanted me to come on over and share a story.

Those of you who already read my blog or chat with me on Twitter will not be surprised when I tell you that I have three girls ranging in ages from 3 to 5 to 13. I am also a part-time first grade teacher. I work half the week in a classroom and all week at home. My work in the home is never ending. Those of you who are Mothers know exactly what I mean.

Needless to say, life at my house is usually really busy. The hubby and I are constantly trying to balance our work life with being loving and involved parents to our children and spouses to each other. It’s not always easy. Most of the time, we find ourselves flying by the seat of our pants. With only three weeks left until the kids are back in school, we are enjoying every last minute of our summer vacation.

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My Pause for Life moment comes from our only camping trip of the summer. All five of us left our civilized residence and headed out to Harrison Hot Springs in beautiful British Columbia. The intention of our trip was to expose our girls to the beautiful existence that is nature and live without the amenities we have at home. No phone, no electronic games, no computer, no TV, no IPods, no toys. We wanted the girls to see how just the simple things in life can be exciting and fulfilling.

Daddy taught the girls how to pitch a tent. Everyone helped by doing their part. The girls were attentive and when the tent went up, they all got to go inside and set up their sleeping bags and pillows.

Big B took her two little sisters on a mini hikes throughout our stay. They went exploring through the bushes, trees and plants around our camp. Big B kept the girls entertained with various scavenger hunts and some good old make-believe Spy game. I have never seen them so engaged.

During our camping adventure, Daddy took the girls out in a canoe to explore the lake and get a taste of fishing. You can imagine their faces when Daddy caught a fish and reeled it in. Little B helped to clean out the fish guts and Daddy cooked it on the mini BBQ.

We spent a day at a local beach close to the campground. The girls frolicked in the water, covered themselves in the sand and tried building a sandcastle. They played happily, cooperatively and without any whining whatsoever. It was so relaxing.

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At no time during any part of our camping trip did any child complain they were bored. The 13 year-old spent most of her time playing with her sisters or talking with us around the campfire. Our nights were spent singing campfire songs, roasting marshmallows and making Smores. When it was time to leave, the wee girls shed a few tears in protest and asked when we could come back to do it all over again. We assured them a summer camping trip would become an annual event.

Oh, how I miss the days when life was much simpler.

I miss the hours upon hours kids use to play outside with a ball or a stick and the use of their imagination to create the play.

I miss the days when people would sit around and talk or sing songs.

I miss the smell of campfire on my clothes.

I miss the taste of hot dogs roasted over a fire.

My Pause Life for a Moment comes from a wonderful weekend spent camping with my family in the outdoors, under the stars, partnered with nature and away from the busy place we call home.

Please take a moment to share on Bruna’s blog Bees with Honey your thoughts about this post.

Pause Life for a Moment- Mama Track

August 16, 2011 By Deirdre

One of the blogs I have fallen in love with this summer is Mama Track. I love the way her words flow and weave together to create pictures. She has a true gift. I went back through her blog to find the post that had first lead me to following her and discovered that I had missed several amazing posts that I need to go back and read. I believe it was Little Things that I first discovered, but it could have been one of many others.

I love the post she is sharing here today. It hit me right between the eyes. Things here have been busy and I have been trying to get a lot done, but a very special someone has been asking for my time. He may not always do that so, I need to built memories now.

I followed the little boy as he padded, in his frog-covered footed pajamas, out of his bedroom, down the hall and into the family room.

His afternoon nap had left his hair mussed.

He was hoping I would turn on his episode of Dora, the Explorer.

It was a special post-naptime treat for him, 25 minutes of cartoon entertainment.

It was nice for me too—I normally use the time to start dinner or wrap up a project for work or pick up the house. Finish whatever task I wasn’t able to accomplish during his naptime.

Being a work-at-home mom who doesn’t have regular child care requires me to use my time efficiently.

I settled him onto the sofa and turned on the TV. Got him a cup of milk and his favorite oatmeal pretzels, in a snack trap.

As I turned to head toward the kitchen, to start cooking dinner, his sweet, pure voice stopped me.

“Pwease sit down with me, Mama.”

I hesitated, for a second.

A vision of the dinner I needed to cook flashed through my head.

I thought of the dishes piled in the sink.

Of the emails unanswered.

The toys spread across the room.

The washcloths that needed to be carried down to the laundry.

And I realized, in that instant, that none of it really mattered.

It wasn’t important.

If we ate a quick pizza or the dishes languished or my emails waited or the toys sat or the washcloths stagnated, it didn’t matter.

But something, someone in this room did matter. A lot.

Every choice I had made, the reason I was here this afternoon and not at the desk I used to occupy, was because of one person.

This little boy, asking me to sit with him and watch his cartoon.

To share this time with him.

He didn’t understand that I needed, that I had counted on, this 25 minutes to keep the house and my work and our lives running smoothly.

He was just asking his mama, his favorite woman in the world, to stop and be with him.

To pause life for a moment.

“Of course, baby,” I said.

As I sat next to him on the sofa, he snuggled closer.

I put my arm around him.

Felt his body, leaner and taller every day, relax next to mine.

Smoothed his hair down.

Kissed the top of his head.

Breathed in the sweet smell of baby shampoo and whole milk and innocence.

And together, we watched Dora and her friends explore the world.

Please stop by Mama Track and let her know how much you loved this.

Pause Life for a Moment- Life Without Pink

August 2, 2011 By Deirdre

As the mom of a boy, I love to find blogs hosted by moms of boys. Life Without Pink is one that I really enjoy. Tina, who hosts Life Without Pink, has two sons. One of her sons is younger than JDaniel and one is older. She has her hands full, but her posts remind me that boys are fun and can grow past the tough times.

Mom can you get off the computer and come play with me?”

My five year old reached out his hand and started pulling me off my chair.

I looked into his big blue eyes and that’s when I had my ‘aha!’ moment.

I turned off the computer, grabbed both boys by the hands and went outside to play.

We never had so much fun.

I didn’t check email, follow up with work, or worried about cleaning up the crumbs from lunch.

No, I was soaking up this moment with my boys and realized this is where I need to be.

Watching their eyes light up and hearing them giggle, filled me with joy.

I have a hard time slowing down because working full-time from home and keeping up with every day life is never ending.

But I have realized then I need to set limits because one day….

I will wish that my boys would grab my arm one more time to play a game, or watch a movie together.

I will be glad I was standing in the driveway when the bus pulls up and being the first person to ask them, “How was your day?”.

I will miss the hectic schedules and loud noise coming from the playroom.

My boys will be grown and I’ll be grabbing their arms asking them to come play with me.

The Internet and household chores aren’t going anywhere but my boys are…and I’m pausing to enjoy it!

Please stop by and visit with Tina on Life Without Pink! You will be so glad you did.