We are only given a few short years (if we are lucky enough for even that) to raise up our young. Everyone talks about how fast the years fly by, and it is eye roll inducing, but I’ve noticed these days that I have been feeling like I am trapped in slow motion watching my kids in full speed growing and changing and becoming more and more independent. My children are my first priority, I want to be a good part of their memories, I need to join in their lives while there is still an open invitation, while they are still WANTING me, while they still want to be chased by me, held by me and *gasp* seen with me.

Not every day is golden sunshine, there are plenty of dark and hard days (sometimes weeks) thrown into the mix, my goal each day is to find the good. Sometimes it is a challenge and sometimes there is so much good that it overflows All we can do is take life as it comes and stay thankful for all the happy times we are fortunate enough to stumble into. If there is one thing I have finally accepted it is that nothing in life is forever. Not the good or the bad, there are no promises or guarantees, I plan in advance but know that plans can and will change. My best friend and I have created our own family and they are our focus, they are our reason for self improvement and they are our reason for making each day count.

I am the mother of three beautiful and ever growing children, from toddler to preteen, each one drastically different from the next and each one challenging me to grow as a person and a parent on a daily basis, and thank the stars for that. Trade this life in for any other? never.

– Stef