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erin

erin

I'm Erin Jo. I'm thinking, writing, dreaming, mothering, loving, living, praising, BLESSED to be Fiona to my Shrek and Mommy to my four amazing kiddos.

dave

dave

Shrek is "like an onion with many layers" but has a heart of gold. He's my husband and my friend, and we just get better all the time.

lily

lily

Lily is my first baby and only girl. She's smart, funny, tall and kind. Keeping up with this girl is a challenge and a joy. She's terrific!

max

max

Max is one part ogre, two parts lover and all boy! Our little man has a temper but gives the best hugs of anyone I know!

colby

colby

Colby is as ornery as he looks. He flirts shamelessly, even with strangers. He's all mouth and curls and the loudest by far.

luke

luke

Luke is the baby of the family, but holds his own. He's happy and adorable. And he's a terrible sleeper. =)

Never Grow Up


It’s a constant theme, and yet I keep learning it. It’s not that I forget, really, but somehow, I have to be reminded. These days are precious. There will always be dirt, but these kids won’t always be little.

We had a great weekend of camping with friends at Wolf Run. There were way more kids than adults, so, of course, it wasn’t always relaxing. But there were a lot of hands and a lot of eyes, and it worked out beautifully. The food was great, the company was fantastic, and memories were made!


I’ve been thinking about seasons–not so much the seasons of the year, but the seasons of life. Dave and I, and the other amazing couples and single parents with whom we spent the weekend, are in the season of young parenthood. There are times you can’t imagine ever getting out this season. While it is nice to feel needed, it’s also a bit suffocating at times. As hard as it is to believe, these days will end. The kids will grow up faster than we ever expected, and it will be time for a new season.


So while the weekend was full of the busywork of caring for children, it was enjoyable and right. I had a couple moments of decompression, mostly later at night, when the kiddos were in bed and my mind wasn’t racing to keep tabs on four little people. One of those moments was thanks to my dear friend, Traci, whose beautiful reason is pictured above. My girl has pipes like you wouldn’t believe. She pulled out a song Saturday night that has been right under my nose for nearly a year. “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift. If you haven’t yet really listened to it, you should.


Oh, darling, don’t you ever grow up,
Don’t you ever grow up, just stay this little.
Oh, darling, don’t you ever grow up,
Don’t you ever grow up, it could stay this simple.


You and I both know I am still fighting to find that balance in my life. To accept the past (all of it), to enjoy today, to not worry about the future. I’m consciously trying to keep money in its place — not just in my wallet, but out of the realm of worry, out of the realm of utter importance. I’m always seeking that balance between work and home, and struggling with the 45 miles I drive between them.


But there are images like these, not art by any means, but snapshots of my most important little people, smiling and enjoying life, that remind me, that ground me. When this season of summer is over, I’ll pack up and welcome fall, knowing summer will come around again, and that hopefully, I’ll be here to see it along with the players of my life.


But when this season of my life is over, I won’t see it again. I’ll likely never be this tired again. I’ll never be this needed again. And, more than anything, I may never been this blessed again.


I have to admit, in spite of the worries, I’m glad to have grown up. I’ve spent my whole life being an old soul, which is probably why motherhood suits me so well. And, of course, I want my kids, all of the kids in my weekend, to grow up. Please get to grow up.


But not yet. Ride your bikes in the 90-degree heat until your Daddy agrees to trade you his gel seat for your hard pink one. (True story.) Eat nothing but hot dogs if you want. You’ll be fine doing that for a couple of days. Share string cheese with your adorable little friends.


And let’s just keep this as simple as we can. You’ve all the time in the world to worry about the woes of life, real and imagined.

Please, for now, darlings, just don’t ever grow up…

One Response

  1. Diane and Chad says:

    hi, I am a new follower from your friend Brigitte…love your post! hope you will visit mine: http://childhoodmyths.net/blog

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