Running in the rain.....

One of the things that I struggle with as a mom is that I don't want my kids to ALWAYS feel hurried or rushed from place to place. I want to teach my kids appreciation of things that are around us everyday that sometimes we are too busy to appreciate or notice.

I always strive to do fun but simple things. We watch bugs, talk about how the sunshine feels on our face, go on picnics in our yard, smell flowers, talk about how things grow, go to Jamba Juice, splash in puddles......

I want my kids to have time to be kids, play outside, make forts, dig in the dirt, catch bugs, and play in the sprinkler. These are the things that I DID, when I was growing up. Don't get me wrong, I played soccer and did gymnastics and enjoyed them both. I think giving our kid opportunities to play sports, dance, gymnastics, music lessons, acting lessons, drawing lessons, etc. is all worthwhile and important. However as a mom sometimes it feel overwhelming to try and 'keep up' with all the other moms and the number of activities their kids are in. There is a guilt that you feel if your kids don't play soccer every season or don't dance.....it is okay to have your kids at home...just being kids! We need to lose the guilt!

I believe deep in my soul that playing outside in the fresh air, laying on the ground and watching a bug, making a fort out of blankets, and running through the sprinkler until grass is sticking to every inch of your body is JUST as worthwhile and important.

Addison sings while she goes potty...every time, she sings! She doesn't need music lessons! Teagan LOVES bugs, collecting, watching, and I have even heard her encouraging an ant that was struggling to carry his load. For me, these are the things that bring joy to my life. This is what makes me feel successful as a mother. My kids have learned to enjoy music (even if it is in the bathroom) and appreciate life's smallest creatures.

This may sound corny.....but I so want my kids to sing when they feel like singing, love the smell of rain, appreciate a sunset and have time to sit and watch the sun set, enjoy riding their bikes and feel the wind on their face, gasp when they see the full moon rise over the mountain top, lay on the ground and enjoy watching an ant live his life, take pleasure in taking care of an animal (our cat Zoie, or even a grasshopper that has an injured leg), and think it is a HUGE treat to build a fort in the family room and lay in it to watch movies......

The other day I asked Addison, "What is the best part of your world?" Her response was better than I could have scripted, she mentioned each family member, friend, and animal that had ever touched her little life. It was truely a gift....I really wasn't expecting such a profound answer, neither was Trev. We sat and stared at eachother, obsorbing what our 4 year old had so eloquently summed up....life. Her response was magical, she reminded us that we have to slow down and enjoy everyone and everything that touches our little life.

A dear friend of mine sent me this story today via e-mail. I read it and it touch me, this story is what provoked me to write the 'stuff' above. Please read it and enjoy! I hope you decide to run in the rain and splash in the puddles!

Love - Holly

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Lets run through the rain!' She repeated 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited about another min ute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain.' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.' No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!' The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. 'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all st ood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their c ars. And yes, I did. I ran.. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.