A Small Reminder…

Hey Momma!

I’m transitioning my summer decor to my Fall decor and filling our home with scents of Fall. Every season seems to be my favorite season when I’m in the midst of it, yet as a new season rolls around, I tend to be ready for the new beginning. Right now, Fall is absolutely my favorite season!

It’s Saturday and we have the windows open while we’re getting some cleaning done. There’s just something about a clean home, smelling good, looking good, and everything in order with the windows open, and the sound of the leaves wrestling around with some college football on in the background, too. There’s just nothing like it if you ask me, but I’m a midwest girl through and through.

While we were cleaning, one of my girls was organizing her notebook and I glanced at her summer list she made nearly five months ago. Summer seems like it was just yesterday, yet so long ago at the same time. The seasons can move so quickly.

I remember when she excitedly wrote the list back in June.

I remember the days we had nothing to do, and we pulled the list out to choose from.

I remember pausing and feeling summer was flowing so fast, almost it was as if it was like time that was running through my hands like water and I remember thanking the Lord for the time we had together with slower days and moments that seem to pour down in the summertime months without rushing and without distraction.

I remember not quite knowing what she (along with my other girls) were going to write, but when they handed their lists over I was reminded of a few things:

Moments and memories made together are more important than any ‘thing’.

Our children want time and memories with us more than any particular ‘thing’.

The time we have with them goes fast, so it’s imperative we spend it wisely, with them.

When they get older they’ll remember the time with us more than anything.

Before we know it, our girls will be transitioning to the next phase of their lives. And as we transition to a new season and I’m looking at this list for summer that was created not too long ago, I’m remembering to make sure I’m asking all the questions and carrying on some of the most important conversations each season. I’m reminded to be grateful for the time we have and take advantage of it, because before we know it, and too soon enough, we will be looking back at the current moments we’re sitting in right now and I know we will have hoped we gave it our all, that we asked the questions, initiated the conversations, and made the memories. Here are some of the things I will be continuing to or beginning to talk about with my girls:

Did we take the time to ask what they wanted to learn? Places they dream to visit? Goals they want to accomplish? Did we check in to see what they’re praying for and what brings them joy throughout their days? What’s the least part of their days, too? Have we asked how they’ve seen Jesus working at school, on their teams, in the neighborhood? Have we talked about the gifts the Lord has given to them and how that’s a blessing to the Church? Have we helped grow the foundations of their faith and their understanding of who Jesus is? Have we asked about how they feel about where their faith it? Are we not only giving them as many opportunities as we can to help them achieve their dreams, but are we making sure they don’t ever leave the house without a hug and ‘I love you’? Are we asking about their friends and have we taken the time to know the people they’re spending time with at school/outside of school? Are we celebrating their successes and sitting with them in the struggle? Are we having conversations? Are we taking at least one day with no work, no place to be to just be at home as a family and sit in the blessings the Lord has surrounded us with? Do we know their favorite meals? Are we teaching them how to pause daily, in the midst of ‘busy’? Are we modeling the relationship between a husband and wife our girls will one day potentially have? Is our home still their favorite place to be?

The list goes on, but as I’m sitting and looking at the summer list made only 5 short months ago, it’s a small reminder for me to keep asking, keep connecting, keeping having conversations, and keep making the most time for the most precious blessings we have, our girls. I’m so thankful, that even on the days I felt tired, I continued to step into the conversations and experiences with my girls throughout the summer months. And I’m reminded that just in a few short months from now, I’ll be looking back and hoping I’ve connected, supported, and loved as intentionally as I possibly could.

Let’s turn our Eyes to Jesus because it’s all for His Glory.

In love,

Kassie Leigh