Our April Fool’s Day Tradition

If you hang out on Pinterest  – you have seen some fun ways moms are being playful with their children on April Fools Day.

image via KateherineMariePhotography 

But this is our tradition…

alex's birthday

It’s Lexi’s Birthday –she is my little April Fool’s baby and trust me, when I was delivering her, I was feeling sorry for the day she was coming out. lol! April 1st is her day –she’s 8!

lexi turns 8!

We had her party at a bowling alley –here she is with some of her cousins and daddy.

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And the Grandma’s came and watched. My Grandma on the left is 90 and on the right is 93! Aren’t they beautiful!

And the other Grandma (my mom) bowled!

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I wanted to get a picture of me and my two sisters…but one of the sisters {ahem} would not cooperate.  Guess it’s hard to be the big sister of a blogger. lol!  It’s extremely common for my family to duck out of photos when I pull out my camera –they all know where it could end up.  Sometimes I reassure them, “these photos are only for my memories.” but…

–April Fools!!! 🙂

Here’s my oldest sis – she looks good from behind right 😉 !

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And my middle sister – the more cooperative one. lol! 🙂

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And the family!

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Alexis was a very high energy baby and rarely wanted to sit long to be rocked once she could walk.  So I remember the day we decided to move the rocking chair out of her room so we could put a brand new doll house in the rocking chair corner.

It was Christmas Eve. She was 3 1/2. I had to hold her tightly to get her to stay on my lap and then it happened – she fell asleep on me. And for the last time, I rocked her to sleep in her room in that old rocking chair. It was a bitter sweet moment as I looked at my little angel in my arms, I remember a tear trickling down my cheek as I knew it was our last night to rock together in that corner of her room.

Are you are a weary mom today? This poem by Karen Kinsbury is one of my favorites titled:

Let Me Hold You Longer

(Warning:  get your tissues ready!)

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket
wanting to be rocked.


The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.
The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.


The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

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For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer,God,
to every precious last.

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In the midst of fevers, spit up, diapers, dishes and homework we moms can grow weary. We can forget all the firsts and LASTS that our children are progressing through as we wish for the next season – one we dream to be easier.

Today I hold my Alexis a little closer. So proud that she’s such a sweet 8 year old and yet sad that the baby, preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade days are forever gone.  She used to love Barney, the Mickey Mouse Club and Curious George but she grew up overnight last year and informed me those shows were for babies.  When we walk by Gymboree (my favorite store to look for deals in) – she no longer lets me window shop…she wants more grown up clothes now. 🙁 Lasts are passing us by. The door of the little years has slammed shut in my face. Gone forever!

Weary moms enjoy your children today!  Don’t waste time wishing the little years away.  Sit back. Relax.

Enjoy them because I can testify, they will not last forever.

Psalm 127:3 “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.”NLT

Walk with the King!

Courtney

20 Comments

  1. I thank you for this beautiful poem. We just celebrated Easter with our beautiful 11 year old twins. Your poem makes me sad of all the last things with them, like the Easter bunny, but so many wonderful things to look forward to. I also know that some things will never change with them, like the Resurrection of our Lord. Happy Birthday to your little girl!

  2. Thank you for this reminder!! I have a 4 yr old, 2.5 yr old and a 2 week old. It’s exhausting!! But this is exactly what I needed to hear at this very moment!! I’m really going to try and soak it all up because someday I’ll look back and miss it! May God bless you as you have been a blessing and encouragement to so many of us!!

  3. My baby girl really my oldest child wil be 9 May 5th. I cried reading this because I know all to well how fast she is growing up. I wish I could stop time with my kids and hold on forever. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  4. This was a great post and a beautiful poem that touched my heart. My baby is in 6th grade and we are going through many “lasts” with the big one being the last year of elementary school. My oldest is in her first year of college and yes – they grow up so quickly….

    Happy Birthday to your April Blessing!

  5. Courtney, your family is so gorgeous!!! And my goodness your daughter is beautiful like her mamma! Thanks for that wonderfully elegant poem. I’m holding on to “lasts” in my home, as well.

  6. ditto!!
    Yesterday was a special day celebrating Easter and my daughter’s 8th birthday!!
    She turned 8 yesterday as well, so I know EXACTLY how you feel.
    Eight is so big isn’t it?! wow
    Sharing in your delight and a wee bit of sadness too,
    Jan

  7. Happy Birthday to Lexi! My little boy will be 9 on April 26th! Time does fly! His feet are as big as mine. He wears mans size clothes now as he’s just about 5 ft tall. No longer a little boy but still very much so at times. They don’t stay little for long ;(

  8. Hi Courtney – I just found your blog and now I have a new favourite place to visit. You are inspiring – thank you so much for the effort you put in. I struggle with depression and anxiety and I’m – publicly – trying to improve myself and heal – at http://www.unclutteredmoments.com/ultimate-diy-self-challenge. I know Christ travels with me and through him I will be strong again – but it also helps to find people like you in the world. Thank you!

  9. What a bright-eyed beauty – happy birthday, Lexi! I agree on the Kingsbury poem – I have that book & I can’t get through it without getting choked up. I’ve got a teenager about to graduate 8th grade and my boys are now 10 & 8. The other day, my daughter & I were talking about Good Night Moon and that brought back so many memories. I could still remember most of it by heart. She looked it up on the computer & watched a video of the narrated story. So cute. Bless your day!

  10. Happy Birthday Lexie!

    Courtney, I so love your blog, It goes right to the heart of a mother. I remember reading to my son the book where it says ” I’ll love you forever, I ‘ll like you always. As long as I live my baby you’ll be.” Enjoy all these days. I’m the mom letting go of my young 20 year old. Each season has been wonderful. I look forward to so much more!

    Ronnie

  11. Coutney,
    I also love your blogs. This one in particular hits home because this is an area where I feel the Lord has been speaking to me about. “Children were made to enjoy, not endure” Such a powerful statement and in the hustle and bustle of parenting little ones, it’s sometimes hard to settle in and relax. I have an 8 year old son, 6 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. I am making it my motto to making every moment count. Thank you for posting such a beautiful poem.
    Blessings from Canada,
    Natalie

  12. Your children are absolutely beautiful ~ just like their MoM & DaD. Happy Easter! He is Risen!

  13. My baby is going to be turning 6 next month. I don’t know how that happened. I thought I would never see the day when my kids were out of the exhausting stage….4 kids in 5 yrs and the last 2 12 months apart was tiring!! There were days and month where I thought I would never get through or never sleep through the night! Here we are all of a sudden….just this past year my baby stopped wanting to snuggle with mommy every single day and that is a hard pill to swallow! Of course God created them to spread their wings and fly on their own but sometimes it still hurts the heart but it is so fun to watch who they are becoming as little people for the Lord! Now my kids are good friends and I am learning to let go and let God! Blessings to you today, Courtney!

  14. Oh my goodness! There I was completely fulfilled and happy after a great Resurrection Day last night, and then I thought, “Oh, I have time to read one blog post before bed.” Mistake! Oh my. I was left bawling, thinking about my — get this — not-quite-8-month-old child, and how he’s all grown up! He’s not a baby anymore! Boo-hoo, boo-hoo! Oh I was a mess. That was a beautiful poem, but oh wow. My nose is getting stuffy just as I think about it again. I’ve gotta get out of here! Post something tomorrow telling me how my little boy will NOT be 18 and headed to college next week! 😀

  15. Hi Courtney! This post was precious! The poem brought tears to my eyes!
    Thank you for all of your encouragement! Today is one of the good mommy days, you know the ones: I had a great early morning qt alone without all 3 babes joining me,we had a great morning devotion at breakfast, went for a fun walk to the park where I played with my kiddos, then had muffin tin meals for lunch and all is good in my house. No, not all days are like this, but today I am so grateful to be their mommy HOME with them! Thank you for encouraging me on the weary days, because they come all so often too. Thanks again! Off to rock a crying baby at naptime. Hugs to you!

  16. Thanks Courtney for sharing this precious poem! I remember when my children where little others would tell me “Enjoy them while they are little” I now know what they where trying to tell me. My 6 children are from 17 – 8 years old now, and I really am busier than I was when they were all little and needing my attention. It is just a different busy. I love it, but I know that very shortly, they are going to be out on their own and we are going to be empty nesters!! I am not ready for that! 🙂 But I know that God will help us get ready!

  17. What a lovely post. I look forward to the day I receive the gift of motherhood and will remember to relax and enjoy it. God Bless your family.

  18. Hi Courtney! I LOVE your blog and my heart echos your heart and everything you write. I am a wife, mama to 2 sweet boys, 5 and 1 1/2 and have 4 sweet babies waiting for me in heaven. I also share an April 1st birthday with your daughter and have been teased a LOT over the years, but it’s been fun And The Great Thing Is That No One Ever Forgets My birthday! And I have survived it for the past 35 yrs with a lot of laughs! Enjoy your day with your beauty!

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