This quote has been on my mind a lot lately:

"I am beginning to learn it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." -Laura Ingalls Wilder

We have five children age seven and younger. With the older kids, it seemed as if I was living in a hurry or looking forward to the next big step. Whether that was walking, when a kid would be in their own bed, talking... and so on... I was excited about the next big stage.

Now that my kids are growing older, I thought I'd have a handle on the mom doubt by now, but nope, still going strong.

Are we doing the right things, are we completely failing at all of this? Should they be in soccer, drama, gymnastics, art club, should we get a zoo pass, should I have them help more, should they play outside more?

Should I be doing more, with finishing our home, blogging, keeping a clean home, simplifying our laundry, being a better wife, being a better mom, should I be waking up earlier...blah blah blah blah.

The sweet, simple things matter the most.

Not the noise that steals our attention away. Not the shiny, fancy things. The real, everyday things. Ones we might easily overlook.

The moments where a baby looks up at you with joy because you walked into the room.

The moment where all he wants is for you to sit on the couch and read a story to him.

The way he says "woogie man" instead of "boogie man."

The moment you are quickly checking homework and see a bunch of fancy lowercase a's.

When you lay in her bed and she tells you about her day without sparing the details.

When he hugs you tight and tells you how much you mean to him.

Those are the things I'd like to make more time for. The things I want to remember more than anything else.

Want a copy of this for your home? I've made one for both of us:

click here for the printable, high resolution printable version of this quote