Sunday, October 25, 2009

What a little time will do

Today we carved pumpkins. A great Sunday activity if you asked me. As I helped the kids with the activity my mind wandered back a few months...
...to when Halley began school. Here is a picture on the school bus. I remember walking Lindsay to that same school bus, with the same Mrs. Rose as a bus driver. I was pregnant with Evan and Halley was a difficult toddler. I couldn't even imagine the day when it would be her turn to climb on that same big, yellow, bus.


As I gaze at this picture my heart can scarcely remember when this very bright child would drive me to tears with her head strong ways. She knew what she wanted and she could hold out as long as it would take to get it. My mom used to tell me that she will probably need that determination later in life to remain true to her beliefs. I would cling to that...because sometimes it was all I could understand. She is now such a joy to have around. I miss her when she is gone, and can't wait for her to come back. She comes home with such tales of adventure like trips to the Farm with Mr. Bill the bus driver, and to make the "TH" sound you think of Thadius Thickknees, and the life cycle of a pumpkin. I love to see how much she wants to read during scripture study because a world of jumbled letters has now opened a door for her to climb in. I love to hear her quote movies and try to stump me....happens a lot...and every few nights when she can't quite make it until dawn in a bed by herself she tiptoes in and snuggles by my feet...(because she knows if she climbs in by our heads daddy will have her sleep on the floor.)

I am amazed what a few years will do to change a life, or a perspective. I have learned in Motherhood to squeeze every ounce of joy from where you are because soon you won't be there any more. As we carved pumpkins tonight and the craziness that ensued I had a flash forward to a time when there would be no more little hands wanting to scoop pumpkin goop out with a spoon and no more giggling at the sight of brightly lit pumpkin faces in the moonlight. Treasures I now keep.



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7 comments:

East Coast Jenny said...

Sniff, sniff. You got me right in my mommy bone. It's so true about the fleeting moments of childhood...they go too fast.

Kay said...

"I had a flash forward to a time when there would be no more little hands wanting to scoop pumpkin goop out with a spoon and no more giggling at the sight of brightly lit pumpkin faces in the moonlight. Treasures I now keep."

Welcome to my world! Now do you know why I travel to Utah 12 times a year and have little Schmidt kids over at least once a week?

Marilyn said...

Ok I am really really sad now. Thanks so much!!

Papa John said...

Sort of reminds me of a little curly-haired girl I used to carry around on my shoulders.

families are forever said...

What great pictures, so happy you are treasuring the moments!

Jill said...

Amen! Thanks for sharing, Jacque. I've been feeling the same for the past few months. Enjoy every moment!!

Will said...

I don't check often, but you always make a visit to the blog worth it!