8

Archer Everson Fry is 8 months old. In my mind he should still be somewhere around the ballpark of 3 months, but reality is telling me differently. I know, every month it’s the same old, ‘I just can’t believe how old my beautiful baby boy is’. But, seriously, I cannot believe this child of mine is past the halfway mark and on the fast road to being one year old. Crazy!

I’m holding each of these quickly passing months with baby Archer close, because I know how fast babies turn into 4 year olds going to preschool. I also think this will be the last of the children we have, so I’m enjoying every last drop of cuddling, slobbery kisses, first claps, and toothless grins.

And while I am trying to savor these precious times with my boys as they are little, I still have to stop and remind myself to do so. It’s so easy to get caught up in getting the kitchen clean or getting the clothes folded and put away. And, I don’t stop there. I’ve got at least one project going at all times. I’m either sewing something for a customer or knitting a scarf for Jackson. It’s usually hard to get me to just relax and sit on the couch. This is a good thing and a bad thing. I’m efficient at getting things done and taking care of the house, but sometimes I get too wrapped up in it and forget about what is really important. Hanging out with my kids is number one. And the time flies so fast, that I really have no room to let myself get so distracted from my babies. This is not to say I should let the house go or put my own interests aside; I just need to be more mindful (which I have been lately) of how I am spending my time.

My Dad is the one who sparked this thought. We were sitting around the table for dinner at his house, as we try to do every couple of weeks. As we were all sitting there talking, being full, and watching Archer crawl around the kitchen, my Dad pointed out that this is what life is about. This is what we need to spend our time doing: enjoying the people we love.

And so, that is what I’ve kept in the front of my mind, lately. As the weeks go by, and months pass, I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. I am most thankful for a happy and healthy family.