Although we’ve just moved into this house, I’m already dreaming up all kinds of fun happenings in my head. One of my favorite parts of the outside is the big side yard. My first thought, of course, was hosting Father of the Bride style wedding receptions for our girls with big white tents set up, dripping with string lights and beautiful music. I’m also looking forward to having yard parties with our friends around the fire pit and the patio (that’s still years away from being built). Oh, how easy it is to get lost in the what will be and miss the what’s right now.
What right now means for me is helping everybody transition well, trying to find the box where I packed my hair dryer and their underwear, and feeding the kids fast food every night for a solid week. (In other words, complete survival mode.) I want these days in our new house to be more than me flipping out like an unorganized mad woman (although that’s already happened a few times).
Overall, the kids have done great with the move. But, I sometimes forget that change—even when it’s good—can be tough on everyone. I want them to remember this as a happy time, an exciting new adventure. And, that can sometimes mean just stopping everything you should be doing to just be together.
It was pretty much perfect timing when Dixie® reached out to me about partnering with them for their “Be More Here” campaign, which focuses on being more present in the moments that matter—even if they’re short lived. (I happen to think paper plates are a necessity, anyway… At least in our kitchen.)
So, after a looooong weekend of moving in, I said to heck with all of the stuff I needed to do, and we did a little “side yard memory making.” I needed to breathe and they needed to just have me be still for a minute. We also played some America’s Got Talent (because it’s their favorite show), and they all do “acts.” Truthfully, the whole picnic lasted about 10 minutes before ants started crawling on the blanket and people started fighting. But, we did it—and (I think) that’s what counts.
It’s good to stop sometimes. I hope you are encouraged to grab some paper plates and do the same :)
See other ideas for how to more present for the moments that really matter here.
Compensation for this post was provided by Dixie® via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dixie or AOL.
I loved this post! It took me years to learn to “live in the moment”. Now that our 3 daughters are grown, I wished I hadn’t worried as much, wasn’t so stressed and “lived in the moment” more often. Such sweet photos of your kids! Congrats on your new home and all the new memories you will make!
You probably did better than you think. At least that’s what I’m hoping for myself ;)
I completely agree – we just moved last week as well, and it’s easy to get caught up in the projects! But we are SO happy to be here now, and that’s what really matters :)
Too funny nice to know I am not the only mom that went thru the spontaneous family time -ant invasion and arguments at least you had good weather. In the years that will go by they only remember being together and that’s what counts. Breathe slowly as you continue on your home move in mode.
I was a young mom of four children when friends had our family over for dinner…well, she used paper plates! I didn’t even know that was a possibility!? It changed my life…permission to use paper plates was so liberating! Thanks
Ah love your message in this post! So true and a good reminder! With pinterest, blogs, and magazines, it’s so easy to get caught up in the future and forget to live in the moment. It’s something I’m trying to do more as well. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of it!
You are so smart. You will be so glad that you did this. It certainly helps to head off the laying in bed at night and praying that you do a better job tomorrow. Yor children are wonderful and I love the house!
Oh, I still lay in bed and think that just about every night :)
I love your honesty about motherhood and living in the moment. Even those 10 minute segments will prove to be very meaningful.
I WISH YOU AND YOUR ADORABLE FAMILY THE VERY BEST!
MOVING IS NEVER EASY AS WE ALL KNOW.
MAY THE GOOD LORD WATCH OVER YOU THIS DAY, AND ALWAYS.
Thanks, Sandi!