reminiscing......

As I sit here in my living room, looking out at a very wet, dreary, damp Saturday morning, I can't help but think of how many rainy days I've spent taking my daughters to the town library to borrow books or dvd's, or pulled out all the ingredients to bake chocolate chip cookies; allowed cardboard boxes to be painted for playing Bratz dolls/creating villages; for all the times spent stirring homemade playdough on the stove, packing up the snacks/raincoats/cellphone to head to a day at the Children's Museum.

Now that they are no longer preschoolers, but a teen and a tween, I find my self longing for those louder, stickier, spontaneous days.

No longer do we all get in the car to browse at the library.

No longer do they want to bake with me.  Either they want to do it themselves or they just enjoy emptying the cookie jar, but aren't into hanging out with me in the kitchen!

No longer do they paint boxes and create villages, although the tween does enjoy her Bratz dolls and the teenager WILL volunteer to "play" with her.....all while I am running errands.  Gone are the days, though, where I have to watch the dolls have a wedding, etc.  It won't be long before they'll be having their own, real weddings, is what I think. 

Time goes by so swiftly.......

No longer do I pack the snacks and cellphone.  Now, the teen has her own cell and always knows where it is and we just stop at Dunkin Donuts for that iced coffee.....or flavored water....no need to pack snacks when a credit card will do!

no longer do we head to the Children's Museum on a rainy Saturday, but to the mall or...they sleep in.....or get schlepped to the high school for the high achiever's drivers class....yawn....

instead of sticky fingers, there are pink- polished nails.

instead of loud squabbles, there are rolling eyes or resigned "yes, mom"'s, or even, quiet compliance and cooperation.....

instead of homemade playdough to entertain, there are the computers, texting, email, Facebook, going out with friends, youth group events, structured activities, or just......doing their own thing, in their own rooms.

instead of just-picked wild daisies, there are now expertly-cut flower arrangements.....

BUT....

there are also the times of family game nite, family movie nite, eating dinner together, hugging and kissing good nite, laughing about the boys, crying about the boys, excitement over upcoming Prom, excitement about playing in the Orchestra concert, ballet costumes, Dance shows, shopping for shoes, family bonfires, kayaking trips, and the "Love you, Mommy" that still gets whispered at bedtime.......

I cannot imagine my life with out my daughters.

How blessed I am.....how good the Lord has been to Dave and I.

Rainy day?  who cares??  After picking up my teenager from school this morning, we will head home to chat and plan the post-Prom party....

Dreary weather?  doesn't matter!  my tween and I will head out to shop for her friend's birthday party....and we will laugh and buy hot cocoa from DD......

and tomorrow.....we will travel to my hometown & treat my own mother to a brunch.....and visit with extended family members.....and reminisce about those sticky fingers and spontaneous playdates......

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!