Where We’re at Lately

This post is a little random but I felt compelled to share it and I took some really cute pictures of Oakley today so even more reason to share.  I’m not even sure what to title it but maybe that will come to me by the end of writing this.  Even though I should be in bed, I felt like my blog could use some love and if I didn’t write this tonight, it wouldn’t be the same tomorrow.  Have you ever felt that way?  That if you didn’t write something down or talk about something, it wouldn’t be as easy to express the next day?  That’s me all the time. I wish that I was able to drop what I’m doing and jot down my thoughts more often but that’s life, right?

Lately, I’ve had this thought that I believe is actually the big man upstairs making me aware of the time I’m in right now.  Every day after work, Oakley and I take a walk around our little farm. The cats are usually waiting for us and meowing by the front door.  Oakley loves to pet them, pull their tails, and attempt to pick them up.  They usually join us on our little stroll and follow us around.  Then, we try to find Maggie Mae and see what she’s up to.  Oakley loves to pet her through the fence and thinks its hilarious if she licks her.  We usually stop by and see the dogs and Oakley’s face lights up!  They like to give her kisses through the fence and she smiles and laughs.  We always check on the garden even though there isn’t much left.  Sometimes she climbs on her playhouse, goes for a ride in her wagon, or chases the chickens.  We usually end our walk by swinging on the porch swing or sitting on the church pew.  We always pet the cats a couple more times before we go inside and play.

As we were walking around the farm today, I had this thought.  I started reminiscing about the time in our lives when Andrew and I were just dating.  Then I started thinking about when it was just Andrew, me, and the dogs.  I also thought about right after we got married and moved to Arkansas.  I’m going to try to make sense of these jumbled thoughts in my head as best as I can, but my point is when I think back to those times, I would say things like, “I can’t wait to be married. I can’t wait to be a mom.  I can’t wait to get another dog.” I think you catch my drift.  At the time, I never realized that I would miss those times in my life. The truth is, I don’t really miss those times because I wouldn’t trade anything for the place we’re at now. I just look back on those times with really fond memories.  So, even though I was constantly thinking about the future or the next step, if I could, I would go back and tell myself, “You have no idea what God has in store for you because his plans are greater than you could ever imagine, but there will come a time where you look back and think wow, that time in my life went so fast.”  I truly believe that I’m living out the best years of my life right now and I’m in my prime as a mom, and I want to enjoy every second of it because I realize now that time is fleeting.  Time seems so much more precious after seeing how fast a year has gone by with Oakley.  What happened to my four month old?  Although I’m a dreamer and constantly think about adding more animals to the farm or picture a bunch of little feet running around, I realize that one day I’m going to look back and think, “wow, that went by really fast.”  I guess what all of this boils down to, is God saying, “yes, great things are in store, greater than you can ever imagine, but being present and soaking in every second of the life you’re living right now is what I want you to focus on.  If you really think about it, you focus on being present and enjoy where you’re at, then doesn’t that cause you to focus on your blessings and remind you to be thankful?

If you’ve read this far, thanks for letting me share my random thoughts, or better yet, a piece of my heart.  I hope you can relate and maybe it will remind youto  stop and appreciate the time you’re in now, even if you’re going through a tough time in any aspect of your life.  I think I will end this with lyrics from one of my all time favorite songs, Angel by Jack Johnson. Every time I look at Oakley this song pops into my head and I think it’s fitting for this post.

I’ve got an angel
She doesn’t wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
Wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me PRESENTS

with her PRESENCE alone