This week, my 2 year old has been waking up about an hour earlier than he has for the past few months, and he’s not particularly quiet. Now that the days are getting longer, the sun is up early too. I decided to load him and his baby sister up in the double stroller and go for a walk, so the rest of the household could sleep. While it wasn’t my idea to be up and at ’em on about 5 hours of sleep, this new little routine has its benefits. For one, it’s been awhile since I’ve made time for regular exercise. Now I’ve got a little accountability partner getting me out of bed and out the door every morning, and I don’t have to pay a trainer, babysitter, or gym! We’re enjoying the cool morning air, hearing the birds calling to each other, picking bright colored wildflowers, and waving to our neighbors headed out for the day. I’m satisfied knowing that the three of us are gaining the many benefits of nature, and sharing those experiences together.
This little routine won’t last forever, but a few years ago I decided to focus on enjoying everything in its season. I keep lists of things I want to remember to enjoy in annual seasons: certain foods, activities, holidays, clothes, and entertainment. There are also seasons of life, some which are cyclical, and others happen only once. Some you anticipate, some you dread, and some take you completely by surprise. Not every season is blatantly enjoyable (like not getting enough sleep), but there’s usually a way to see a silver lining. When I wake up at 6 and it’s still quiet, I hope that he sleeps in, but in the same moment I also think about how cute he is when he comes in our room in the morning.
When I don’t know how long a season will last, it’s even more important to enjoy as many aspects as possible. In this season, I love the way my baby grins when her brother comes to greet her in the morning. I smile when he says, “I wanna ride in the strowder.” I anticipate catching a whiff of honeysuckle and seeing hot pink roses in full bloom by a neighbor’s mailbox. I stand in awe of the view of the sun rising behind the trees, and steam evaporating off of a pond. I enjoy getting to listen to a podcast episode or two on our walk. I take advantage of my exercise-induced energy boost when we get back to take care of a few chores.
Here are some other seasons I’m in and some things I’m enjoying about each of them.
Parenting Littles
We have four kids age four and under in this season. If I don’t pay attention to the “sparkles” as a wise friend phrased it, the days and weeks and stages tend to go by in a blur. But there are so many sparkles! I love watching the baby learning to crawl. I put her down in one spot and a few minutes later notice she’s shimmied across the room! She’s also in the phase where she sticks out her tongue a lot and it is the cutest thing. I am enjoying this season of simple pleasures with my littles who delight in going to the playground or seeing an airplane pass overhead. This morning when I returned home from an errand with my 4 year old, the 2 and 3 year olds came out to greet us with hugs and squeals like we’d been gone for 2 days instead of 2 hours! And then there are the numerous funny sayings, which are constantly being added and dropped from their vernacular as their language skills develop.
Parenting A Teen
In addition to our littles, we have a 16 year old son. I’m enjoying watching him explore a new stage of life with more independence that comes with driving and working (there’s also a lot of cringing, but I try to stay positive). We have a fun little thing going where I email him a Meme Of The Day (although it’s not usually every day), just to share a laugh. Another good thing about this season is that my husband and I can slip out for a date night after the littles are in bed if our teen is home to hold the fort.
Spring
Seventy degree weather, need I say more? We know how fleeting those days are in Alabama so I try not to miss being outside for a single one! I enjoy increasingly longer days, and watching my husband’s garden grow. I savor the first strawberries of Spring. I experience a renewal of my faith during Lent and Easter. I like the excitement and satisfaction of celebrating graduation and the ending school year.
What are you enjoying about the seasons you find yourself in right now?
