Parenting thus far

Lately, I have been looking at Matthew and wondering where all of the time went. I have always thought of myself as a new mom, but he is almost 5 1/2 years old! Life changes so gradually.

Looking back at my life 6 years ago:
1. I did laundry once a week instead of everyday.
2. I did the dishes a few times a week instead of twice a day.
3. I got in my car and left vs. taking 5 minutes to pack diaper bags, 5 minutes to round up the kids, 5 minutes to buckle everyone up.
4. I vacuumed and swept the house every other week vs. every day.
5. Bryon and I went to the movies at least once a week vs. 2-3 a year.
6. My favorite dinner was cereal which I ate while watching the news, vs. never watching the news.
7. I slept through the night every night.
8. I knew what was on TV every night of the week vs. only watching CSI and 24.
9. I knew all of the latest songs vs. listening to whatever song from an old CD my kids are obsessed with at the moment.
10. I never knew how many bodily fluids could come out of a child on any given day.

Please don't think the list was a list of complaints, it is just reality!
*In the last 5 1/2 years, I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of
lows.
*I have laughed hard and cried hard.
*I have fallen more in love with Bryon watching him be a father, yet feel like the
time we used to have for each other has diminished greatly.
*I have discovered hobbies that I love that I wished I had discovered before kids
when I had more time to devote to them.
*I have felt so grateful to God for blessing me with three healthy children, but
have less time to devote to prayer and study.
*I have enjoyed reliving my own childhood through my children. It felt like such an eternity growing up but now realize how quickly it goes.

Thank you God for my children. Thank you for all of it: the good, the bad, the hard, the fun, the partnership with you, Bryon, and me.