Haley, Taylor, and Aubrey
I love where we live so much. We have so many friends that we have gotten close to, and Aubrey and Ada have so many friends to play with. I dread the day when we will move out and leave them all behind, or worse-the days when they all slowly move away. I really think that would be worse because I can imagine Aubrey constantly asking, "Where's Taylor? Where's Marlee? Can they come and play?" It really makes me sad to even imagine it.
We do have some neighbors moving out this weekend, and we will miss them so much. I love to have their girl and little boy come and chat and play with my kids. That is what prompted me to take some pictures today.
The crazy thing is that today wasn't any special day (it was one of the kid's birthdays, but that is besides the point), we get to play with some or all of these kids EVERY DAY!
Most of them are 2-3 years old, with a couple of 7-8 year olds. We ride bikes, play with chalk, dress up, swim, share each others snacks, trade off baby sitting, get so excited to see each other, and overall have a blast. And I love it too because I get some other adults to chat with, and it is much easier to entertain my kids when there are other kids around.
L to R: Adam, Aubrey, both Haleys, Taylor, Easton
Today was a special day because after eating some Popsicles, one of our neighbors brought over donuts. Spoiled kids!
Tanner on the end
Marlee missed out on the donut time because she was taking a nap, but we probably play with her most this year. She gets so excited to see our girls, and our girls get excited to see her.
Haley and Ada
My mother-in-law has said to me a couple times, "You will remember these days for the rest of your life." I know I will. We feel so grateful and blessed with such amazing neighbors.
As every day passes, I start realizing that this time in my life with
little kids and small apartments will fly by. I am trying to enjoy every
minute I have while they are little. Ada is hardly a baby anymore, and
Aubrey will be 3 in a few months. I often hear the song by Darius
Rucker, and know that the lyrics speak the truth:
He didnt have to wake up
He'd been up all nite
Lay'n there in bed listen'n
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK
It wont be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laugh'n
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It wont be like this for long
Four years later bout four thirty
She's crawling in there bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now dont you worry
This will only last a week or two
It wont be like this for long
One day soon we'll drop her off
And she wont even know your gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It wont be like this for long
One day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times you'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the isle
And he'll raise her vale
But right now she up and cry'n
And the truth is that he dont mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watch'n her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It wont be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
He's try'n to hold on
It wont be like this for long
It wont be like this for long
And I know that it won't be like this for long, and that I need to cherish every moment I get as my girls grow up. There is another song by Trace Adkins that says, "You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back, you're gonna wish these days, hadn't gone by so fast! These are some good times, take a good look around, you may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this."
