It’s so easy to get caught up in everyday life and to forget what’s really important. It’s so easy to wish that Brayden would sleep for just a few more minutes so I can get a little more work done. It’s so easy to tell Brayden to go play by himself so I can get a load of laundry done. Or take a shower. Or finish a phone call. It’s so easy to get frustrated on days when Brayden won’t leave me alone for a second and every time I leave his sight he yells, “Mama! Mama go? Mama!”. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by being a Mom.
And then you read Layla’s story. And suddenly those small things seem like nothing and getting to be a mom is such a gift. Brayden is healthy. I am healthy. Chuck is healthy. We’ve got a roof over our heads and food on our table. We are together and that’s all that matters. I read this on Layla’s blog a couple of weeks ago and every time I get tired or frustrated or annoyed I think of what her mom wrote:
Layla now spends most of her days sleeping. 30-45 minutes after she wakes up, she is ready to lay down and sleep again. Is this God’s way of preparing me for all the quiet time that is coming soon? The house is quiet. I am able to go through the motions of laundry, dishes, cooking and picking up without interruptions. But I WANT interruptions. I WANT Layla to be under my feet asking for cookies. I WANT to hear her playing with her toys. I WANT to take 45 minutes to unload the dishwasher because she keeps trying to help. For every time I uttered the words “I just can’t get anything done with these kids under my feet all day” I am eternally regretful. The days that I looked forward to naptime so I could get a grocery list made, or finally fold all the piles of laundry…I regret those days too. If I could do it all again, I’d enjoy EVERY SINGLE WAKING MOMENT I had with her. I would never wish for her to sit still or take a nap or go to bed early. I would never look forward to the days when she could sit through an entire episode of Dora silently. I would treasure every second with her.
I know I’m not perfect and there will still be plenty of times when I get frustrated and tired. But, after reading this I have done my absolute best to treasure every single waking moment with my baby. Life is just so short.
This picture makes my heart happy. It’s also a good explanation of why they don’t let 2 year olds drive real cars. He was a maniac!
* Taken with the Canon G10.
You’re so right, Drew. I followed little Layla too and her story changed me forever. I love your photos.
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I went and read and cried, I will be tucking my children in a little bit longer tonight., Precious little girl has passed away and joined her father in heaven. May she be at peace.
Great posst. I need to be reminded too, Life is to short.
Drew, you are exactly right. As busy as our lives are these days, it’s always good to be reminded to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Erin´s last blog ..Showering With Toddlers
Poor Layla passed away yesterday morning. I can’t even imagine what her family is going through right now.
Drew, I couldn’t agree more. I’m so glad her parents put her story out there. It really made me hug my kids more and hold them a little longer and play with them a little more! It’s so important!
yesterday my son woke up at 4:45am and wouldn’t go back to sleep until we brought him to bed with us. He finally fell back asleep with his head nailed to my ear and in the most uncomfortable position for this 20+ pregnant lady. As I lay there unable to sleep, I kept thinking of Layla and how lucky I was to be so uncomfortable and feeling the breath of my son in my ear.
I had the exact same thoughts yesterday when I read your tweet about Layla. It does go fast. Thanks for putting my thoughts into your beautiful words today.
I soooo needed to see this today. Thanks for posting the story about sweet Layla. My prayers are with her family.
amazing post, I was just thinking about how I wish my daughter would take her nap but now I want to pull her out of bed to play with her.
misty smith´s last blog ..My baby girl is One. personal
Thank you for that MUCH needed reminder!
Linnea´s last blog ..Our Turn?
Well I’m a blubbering bawl fest! Thank you for sharing her sweet story and reminding me my babies are only babies once and to cherish the time I have with them.
Thank you Drew, for reminding me of the many reasons I wanted to be a mom. Children aren’t a nuisance (though I sometimes feel bothered by constant interruption), they are a gift. I am sure I will get frustrated, but everytime I feel a little bothered or annoyed, I will think of Layla and her family. Thank you for your post!
in the end…that is all that matters…so grateful for yet another reminder lately of what is, without a doubt, the most important…off to play with my kiddos
Tonya
I have tears running down my checks right now… this is so true. That pix of B is so cute also!
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Thanks for the encouragement and reminder. I feel like that paragraph should be the first thing I read when I wake up each morning. We are so, so blessed.
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I sent the same blog post to my husband yesterday. The part about the dishwasher helper especially got to me because this is something that stresses me out daily. Sometimes you really just need to take a step back and remember what is really important. My heart goes out to the family of Layla Grace.
I’ve been following Layla’s story for a few months now and was sad to hear she had passed. THAT same paragraph you had posted is etched into my memory from when I read it myself the first time on Layla’s site. What really got me bawling is watching YouTube videos of Layla I found. Such a sweet 2yr old.
I needed to be reminded of this too. I do sometimes forget to just breath and really enjoy these moments I have with my chidren. Bc yes, there are people who would give anything to have a child tugging and begging for them to play. I do try to remember that they are only little for so long, and I do not want to regret anything. But it is easy to get so caught up in everything else going on in life. Thanks for the reminder.
I need to be reminded as well…so much we take for granted. No Dora tomorrow!
Noel Kelley´s last blog ..Little Baby E – Plymouth, MI newborn and infant photography
thanks for posting this. there are times i feel completely overwhelmed with working full time then coming home and doing all the things at home. thanks for the reminder to enjoy these moments. they go by way too fast and one day us mothers will want all that time back.
Well, this had me sobbing, but it is sooo true. Enjoy every moment!
Thanks for sharing this reminder…my heart goes out to this family! xo
I was just telling my husband yesterday that maybe I’d get a job or something. That I didn’t know if I was stay at home Mom material. Hello Reality Check. Couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you and God Bless Layla and her family.
Ava Nichols is a sweet 4 year old little girl who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She needs all the love and prayers she can get. Please check out her site…
http://www.avanichols.org
God Bless!