Wise Words From My Five-Year-Old...

You're busy, I get it. Life has its way of taking over sometimes. But, please! Just stop whatever it is you're doing and take a minute to read some very wise words from my five-year-old, Mr. President #1.
Yesterday was a typical, busy Saturday for our family. The day began with a quick breakfast (while still half asleep), followed by a basketball game; a visit to Grandma M's house; lunch at our Jamaican go-to spot; a store run for diapers, milk and the regular essentials; fulfilling of a promise for a toy pick-up at Target; another fulfilling of a promise to see Kung Fu Panda 3, finally ending with an impromptu decision to have a late diner at the AG Kitchen.
By the time we finished the movie, I was about ready to crawl in bed and get lost in my covers. But everyone was hungry, the smell of really good food was in the air, and we were surrounded by restaurants, which pretty much made our decision to dine out a no-brainer. When we walked into the restaurant, the music was loud, there were people everywhere, Mr. President #2 was whining, Mr. President #1 had started doing the potty dance, and my husband was pretty miserable. Did I really just decide to take the family out to a restaurant? Well...we were there, it was cold outside, and we were hungry, so WE WERE STAYING!
When my husband and I finally got everyone situated, things went pretty smoothly. The kid orders for the Presidents came minutes after placing the order, and the adult orders followed fairly quickly. The food was amazing, and all-in-all, it was a pretty good night!
As we were packing up our leftovers and getting everyone bundled up to head outside, Mr. President #1 said to me, "I kind of liked this dinner, Mommy!" Wait a minute...WAIT A MINUTE! Really? Did Mr. President #1 just say that he LIKED DINNER? What? But he wasn't finished there. He had even MORE to say: "I like how we ate french fries, colored and shared. I have fun spending time with my family. We should do this more often!" I had to pick up my jaw off of the floor. I could not believe Mr. President #1 had just told me that he had fun spending time with his family and even suggested that we do it more often! You know what, though? He is absolutely right!
As we were walking to the car, I took a minute to really think about what he was saying to me. We always get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we don't make time to value the things that really matter -- family. Don't worry. It's okay to admit it! I'm a victim of being overcome by life too, but sometimes we need to pause and really take a minute to appreciate the most important things in life.
I have to say...I'm a little disappointed with myself. It shouldn't take a statement by my five-year-old to remind me to spend time with my family, but boy, am I glad that happened!
I have a challenge for you. Take a little time this week to spend time with your family, or dedicate a portion of your day to doing something that is important to you. You know why dinner was so great? Because it was just us. No cell phones, no ipads, no television, no gaming devices...just family, good food, and good conversation with a two and five-year-old.
​We won't survive this thing called "motherhood" if we don't take time to appreciate our children and the things in life that really matter. Yes, it is important to take care of YOU, but you must make time to spend it with your loved ones. I know life is precious, and if you're anything like me, you're worried about wasting some of that "precious" time to get things done! But remember this: Life is not only precious, but it's short. Spending time with your loved ones is NEVER A WASTE OF TIME. Now, enough rambling from me! Go ahead and start your challenge! Aren't you glad you took some time to read these very wise words from my five-year-old?

---