As a mother of four ranging in ages from eight years to eighteen months, I sometimes catch myself looking ahead with a dreamy kind of look on my face, to the day when the children are older and can do a few more things for themselves. Days that don't involve poopy diapers, toys strewn all over the living room or sticky dining room chairs.
I have to stop myself in my tracks when I find these thoughts creeping up on me and remind myself that in wishing away the toddler tantrums and the messy house, I'm inadvertently wishing away this precious time with my children that I treasure so much. Being a mother is what I've always wanted to be and the joy I get from spending my days with my children is such a blessing in my life.
Why then, can it be so difficult to focus on this perspective on a daily basis? Raising children is not all bubblegum and ice cream and involves taking the good times along with the challenging ones. Finding ways to focus on the simple joys and everyday moments that my children and I share and the memories we are making, has helped me to find more patience and joy in motherhood.
With my camera in hand, I love to capture not only the milestone moments in my children's lives but the everyday, silly little details that make our story unique. I've actually made it a goal each week to photograph one simple joy or simple moment that put a smile on my face. What started out as a fun idea for a photo project has helped me become more aware of the blessings that surround me each day and in turn has helped me to better appreciate the stage in life I'm at right now.
As I learn to appreciate my life with my children as it is right now I'm so thankful for gentle reminders to have patience and slow down and enjoy my life's moments as they happen. As I read my scriptures, pray for added patience, capture photos that represent the simple things that make my life beautiful and record memories in my journal or family scrapbooks, I find more appreciation in the everyday.
Rebecca Cooper is a 32 year old wife and mother of four. She is a professional photographer, scrapbooker and lover of (mostly) all things chocolate. Rebecca currently lives with her family on a small island in the Dutch Caribbean, where they face the challenges that come along with island life and enjoy making memories together as a family.
Rebecca hosts a weekly link party on her blog: Simple As That
TOFW on occasion will link to relevant external blogs and websites; however, the views expressed in these blogs reflect the opinions of the blogger and in no way that of TOFW. TOFW is not affiliated with or responsible for the content of these external sites.
Rebecca hosts a weekly link party on her blog: Simple As That
TOFW on occasion will link to relevant external blogs and websites; however, the views expressed in these blogs reflect the opinions of the blogger and in no way that of TOFW. TOFW is not affiliated with or responsible for the content of these external sites.