Back in Time

I've been looking back through photos of Eliza through the years. We are getting ready for her graduation party in mid-May, and one of the moms is putting together a slideshow to show that night.

Going through photos is so sentimental.

Memories of old pop up

Forgotten images spark joy

Disbelief that the years have flown so fast {yet again} permeates my thoughts

How can time fly like it does?

How can Eliza be graduating from High School?

It's possible

It's probable

It is so

My little fairy angel... I remember her sitting on the kitchen counter... no more than 2 years old...

adorned with angel wings

ethereal

blankie clutched in hand

thumb in mouth

wide eyes

pure delight

Being a mom of 5, I'm privy to 5 beautiful and individual lives and personalities...not one child is the same. They have similarities---physical characteristics, gestures, values--- but each is unique and each is a precious gift.

Sometimes I look at myself--reflect--and think, "How in the world am I old enough, mature enough, wise enough (that's debatable) to be a mom of 5, much less a mom of a 23 year old two 21 year olds, an 18 year old and a 9 year old.

Who thought I could do this?

Who thought I was capable?

How did I do it?

4 of the 5 are adults

What?! Impossible!"

In the moment, life may move slowly. In the grand scheme of time, life moves at a very brisk pace.

Hours turn into days

Days turn into weeks

Weeks turn into months

Months turn into years

Before we know it, decades have swiftly passed

Because the clock never stops ticking, there is an importance, a significance to every second we live.

Oh, how I cherish the memories of motherhood past and motherhood to come. Every year looks different. My role shifts with the maturity of each child.

There are times when I wanted the kids to grow up super fast.

Those are days when I was tired

Overwhelmed with 4 under 4

Wondering how I could possibly keep up

I did and am doing the best that I can,

and I'm so proud of each of my kiddos

Reflecting on Eliza's photos, I took a quick journey through the years...seeing the baby, toddler and youthful faces of my 5 little ones...

Time has paused for a moment.

I miss those babies.

Chubby cheeks

Toothless grins

Messy hair

Wide-eyed wonder

Little hands caressed in mine

Cradled loves in my arms

Curly towheads

Brilliant blue eyes

Freckled noses

Tiny toes and fingers

Joy-filled smiles

Oh, my little ones

Oh, my big ones

Oh, how I have loved you at every stage

Oh, how I love you now

Oh, how I will love you until the end of time