what some people say...BUT

While I have a ton of things I should be writing about, the happenings of my children, my CRAZY life has got me doing so much else I cannot take the time. I will however do so in the very near future. Until then I must make a thought here where even if no one comments I feel as though I have spoken it somewhere. I am a creature of just that, sharing. As much as I try to mimic other people who share little, talk none I simply cannot master that truly. It just isn't me, and well since my faraway bestie is just that faraway and my cousin is likewise and well the few other mommas who get me may as well be with their life too I put it here. Thank you dear reader for reading it.
Yesterday my family and I attended a wedding reception for a great family related to my husband. The groom is son to my FIL's nephew (so translate the relation yourself cause it gets hairy, distant cousins I suppose) but this family is also the one whom we get our beef and hog (pig but real country people call them hogs). We have spent many a day with them over the years and I am grateful to call them a relation.
Anyway. as you can imagine I then talked to many people over the course of the evening who share their sometimes unwelcome opinions about life. What seems to be the common theme is that "these days" are supposed to be the "best" days of my life as a parent. This coming from all whose children are grown so possibly a valid thought except one thing. While I appreciate being able to interact with my kids, watch them perform/play sports, volunteer at their school and more this is a stressful time of balancing all things but staying sane by taking a moment to recharge too. I reflect on the baby years now by remembering how precious the sweet new life is, the joy of watching them grow and on but also very aware of how hard it was to fully encompass it all because it is so demanding a time physically and emotionally. This time is pretty much the same just with a bit of a different spin.
 How quickly some of the "real" washes away and we naturally look back on all the good parts. Some moms look at babies and have that twinge to missing that time too. I know for a brief, VERY brief second I have. Could that be what this time is for those long past? I mean 17 and 18 year old kids are nearing adulthood although far from mature and that too is a transition into sending them on out. Naturally you wish they spent more time with you, yet know that they need to separate.
 I don't know really if there is a best time as a parent. I think it all is about living in the moment (as much as a planner like me can), taking it in and allowing it to move on to the next too. Such a realization, I no longer want to know that it gets better, or worse for neither is the truth. I just want to live the life God gave me the best way I can.I despise smiling and nodding without an interjection when people tell me how I should feel but know that it is polite and usually not the time to offend.
 In the meantime Dear Lord help me survive hosting Easter next weekend, enjoying Palm Sunday with my fam in a very short bit and ball practice after today, Book fair completion at one school, starting and ending another at the other school, continuing handling the lesson planning and organizing for preschool at church, looking for a job, anniversary, husband and my bday, Mother's day, pool setup party, Joey's bday friend bday party on the last day of school and the beginning of  6 kids and summer daily. All this on top of bonding with baby ducks, chickens, school, ball games, a recital and hopefully the visit of my beloved cousin in the next 5 weeks. It is not by my strength but his that I can do all this successfully for sure!
Yeah, I do believe this isn't the "best" time in my life but part of the process to fulfill God's purpose making memories to cherish throughout.