Messy moments in time. Too precious.

As I look at old pictures it becomes increasingly clear how precious each moment with our family truly is. I look at the faces and smiles on my loved ones faces in a photo only to remember joy and happiness of that moment, to think how cute the kids look, how much fun we had that day or what my husband was doing that day.

Looking at old photos, just simple snapshots can bring a little perspective to what is really important in life.

I notice the toys strewn about the floor in the background, a purse not where it should be, a shoe out of place, a diaper bag half unpacked by curious little hands....and I see...that is life.

Life is living, life is going always going. Messes are made daily many, many times a day. As the toddler splashes sudsy water all over the floor a wonderful thing is happening, bonding, and some memories are being made, the child is learning, life is going on and all is well. The house doesn't look perfect, but is that what will matter, does it really matter that much right now? Is that what we remember later as we reflect on the past several years? How clean was my house one year ago? No, of course not!

As I look back at seemingly perfect memories, the house wasn't always perfect. Sure, it was clean enough (never tolerate total filth, that is absurd but), but always tidy, no. Of course things were out of place quite often in a home that houses a toddler or two. Toddlers like to take things out and explore what happens when they throw all the blocks over the whole room. They want to wade through and in everything that we will let them.

So, let's let them. Let's lighten up a little and let the kids make a mess now and again. Life can get messy. There will be a day when they are all grown up and my house will be spotless (as my mother's is now) and the kid's will have their own kids and they will have to pick up toys ten times a day. But for now, the mess is ours to enjoy with our little ones, so let's climb under a sheet tent and take all the books off the shelf and read every single one all in a row! What a memory! Someone get the camera, we need a picture of this mess! :D