The story that I was reading last night before bed..really hit home and touched my heart tremendously..and it was a letter that I was reading that a mom had written to her grown son..Amen..and it said..If I could go back and spend that extra minute beside your bed as you tell me all your secrets in your life then I would go back yet once again to hear those things that you hold precious and dear to your heart..if I could go back yet once again I would let you make as many messes as possible without complaining and without continually going behind you to pick up after you..I would go back and spend that time instead on my hands and knees playing there right alongside of you my dear precious son..if I could just see once again all those beautiful and wonderful art masterpieces that you would draw on the car windows..that I would instantly wipe away..I would go back and leave them there forever just to enjoy your talent and your gift to us..your family..if I could go back to sit and quietly listen to your day other than rushing you to hurry and finish up or to tell you that I didn’t have time that I would hear it later..I would go back my dear precious son to sit there for as long as it took for you to finish telling me all that your little heart desired..so as I read this of course I cried..because none of us I do beleive get it right all the time..we do our best to be the best we can for our children..working hard to provide for them..give them food to eat..a place to live..clothes on their backs..but today if I can offer some advice to you as parents that would be don’t rush your child in their lives..listen to them without hesitation..sit and play with them..do fun things that they’ll remember forever and ever..don’t constantly pick up after them..let them play..and if they do write on the windows of your car..then so be it..let them write and let it stay there..for yes they grow up and grow up fast I must say..and the play time ends..and the messes are all cleaned up..and the secrets that they used to tell you they no longer do..for they keep them to themselves..and as far as having time..well we all think we do have time..to go on that family fun vacation..or take a trip to the woods to camp out..or to go fishing..to go for that hike..to build that fort..we all think that will do it later..but guys time is the furthest thing that we do have..because it goes and very quickly at that..so now is the time to enjoy your little ones at this stage that their in..and I mean really enjoy them..soak it all up..every bit of it..because they are our gifts from Jesus..Psalm 127:3..and life is fast the word says but a vapor..James 4:14..Amen..and I know that your busy with life and your jobs and so forth..but our kids are only with us for just a little while..we don’t have them that size forever..so we must take advantage of it..have fun with them..do those special things with them..listen to them..play with them..and always take time for them..slow down that is my prayer and just be with them..don’t miss it..don’t miss anything..because one morning you will wake up as Erik and I did and only to find that your tiny baby boy is now a full grown man..and just like that it all ended..the messes..the handprints..the play time..the fun things..the long random talks and those secrets that were only for your ears..they do end..so enjoy your time with your little ones..for we must make them our everything for to them we are their everything..for it is in Jesus’ name, that I do ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi