I like all the stages.

Sometimes I’ll have someone ask if I miss the days when my daughters were babies. My answer? Uh, NO. Oh sure they were cute and I loved them dearly, but to go back in time would mean I’ve got to re-visit sleepless nights, sore body parts, and our conversations would be one sided (they can’t respond!). Likewise, when people ask if I’m sad about Elizabeth starting Kindergarten I say “heck no! It’s time! She’s SO ready.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I believe there is enjoyment of EVERY stage of life, and every year of my kids – even when they’re going to be adults. It’s an ever changing process, and I’m trying hard every day to enjoy the moments and see the special things going on. I look forward to the days when we can swap books to read, when we can trade shoes, heck when we can go somewhere and I don’t have to utter the phrase “look with your eyes, not your hands” 10,000 times!

For example, today we went to the fair – NO STROLLERS for the first time ever. Nice!!!

I’m in love with this shot taken right as we were leaving. The fair sign, the road, the ferris wheel even. I’m also loving this…

The grey steer was really sweet, and according to Elizabeth was wanting to be pet by just her. Oh, and let us not forget the pony ride. The #1 attraction of the fair according to my kids…

Looking at the photos I took today and comparing to layouts from previous yearsย I remember the past fondly, but am finding so much joy in the present that I just can’t find it in me to be sad about days past. If anything, I’m just more happy about where I am right now, today, and I’m going to go enjoy more of the goodness…

9 thoughts on “I like all the stages.”

  1. Great photos, May. I couldn’t agree more with your words. I love babies and turn into a marshmellow just looking at them. My youngest (about 10 at the time) asked me if I missed babies, and I immediately said ‘no, I am so happy with were we are as a family now, that I wouldn’t want to go back to babies.’ Now with my oldest starting to look at colleges, it scares the heck out of me to have our family with one living somewhere else for most of the year. Thank goodness I have my albums to keep me company as the time just takes wing. Dang it, but kids just don’t stop growing!

  2. Today is my little girl’s 6th birthday and as much as she was adorableness personified the day she was born, I am loving the way I know her as a person now in a way I didn’t then. It’s all good. ๐Ÿ™‚ Enjoy all that cuteness. ~ Laura

  3. Bridget turns 7 this weekend and I totally agree. In our case it’s because as she gets older she’s coming out of the grips of her autism more with the help of her therapy & schooling, so today really is better than yesterday. And tomorrow will be even better. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. I AGREE! and although I am living through some tough teenage moments, even watching them mature each day, taking on real life challenges, I watch, just amazed! I don’t even think they know that I am watching. My 18 year old teaches me things every day…he has so much in his head. He’s leaving soon…there is so much still to teach him…how to cook…he keeps avoiding it…deep breaths! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. I’m the exact same way! While I’m definitely glad I got to experience my son as an infant and toddler, this is my favorite time with him, right now, as a 4 year old.

  6. I am so with you. I have two boys, 13 & 15. I have loved some stages more than others, but I have loved them all. I have wonderful memories and scrapbook pages from the past but nothing is a good as right now.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Ang

  7. Those photos are fantastic. It is good to live in the present, but I’m still sad that my 7 year old is growing up!

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