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Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

Firsts Lead to Lasts

August 23, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 17 Comments

Due to my recent injury at Buttkill Falls, I’ve had extra time to ponder life, and when that happens, I tend to get a bit nostalgic. 🙂  Maybe it’s because I’m currently medicated, or maybe it’s because I’m missing out on some family life lately.  For whatever reason, when I’m separated from my people, I tend to think about them more.  I miss them. I appreciate them.

I miss them. I appreciate them.

I appreciate them.

As I’m resting and pondering, and thinking about how quickly the first day of school came this year, I realize that we’re about to enter a new season of life as parents.  We have just one more year left with littles at home, and one year before our oldest enters high school. For thirteen years now, I’ve been a mostly stay-at-home mom, but what will I do when all of these firsts lead to lasts?

First smiles and first steps.

First days of school and first solo bike rides.

First baby food and first big kid beds.

First instruments and first crushes.

So many firsts that we’ve been blessed with.

kids blackandwhite

But these firsts lead to lasts, and what will a born-to-be-a-mama girl do when all of her children are at school for the day?  It seems like these lasts come oh-so-quickly.

It seems like these lasts come oh-so-quickly.

Last days of kindergarten and last days of twin high chairs.

Last days of baby clothes and last days of soccer on Saturdays.

Last days of sweet toddler cheeks and last days of bedtime stories.

The truth is, the lasts stink.  I know I’ll miss them.  But those firsts that led to lasts will once again lead to firsts.  Firsts like driver’s licenses and shaving and so much more independence.

But those firsts that led to lasts will once again lead to firsts – firsts like driver’s licenses and shaving and so much more independence.

And while my children are enjoying a whole new world of lasts followed by firsts, I’ll be opening up to a whole new world of firsts, too.

Kids Bushkill1

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

Jen 🙂

It’s Five Minute Friday again!  We gather together over at Lisa-Jo’s blog and free-write for five minutes on a single word prompt.  No planning, no editing, just writing.  It’s glorious freedom!  If you want to know more, join us at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: children, Christian Parenting, family, firsts, Five Minute Friday, love, Moms, Motherhood, parenting, Women

Comments

  1. Somer says

    August 23, 2013 at 00:55

    Great post on “lasts” I get nostalgic thinking about my lasts and one of mine is just starting kindergarten…I hope you will find some new firsts for you personally to discover

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 00:58

      I think I’m already learning about what some of those firsts might be, like writing and serving alongside my husband at our church. Those are things I will be able to devote more time to when our twins start school. Of course, the Lord may have something completely new lined up for me, too. Thanks for stopping by!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  2. lonistel says

    August 23, 2013 at 01:09

    Ohhh, do I understand this, and YES, it goes so fast! We married three of our children off in 15 months and now looking forward to our first grandbaby! ENJOY and savor each moment!

    http://wp.me/p97XK-5dJ

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:54

      Wow, three in 15 months! That’s a lot all at once. 🙂 I’m happy you have the joy of the first grandbaby to look forward to. Thanks for visiting.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  3. Debi Stangeland (@DebiStangeland) says

    August 23, 2013 at 01:20

    Awesome! What a great way to look at this idea of firsts and lasts. I loved your take on today’s prompt. Thank you for sharing. (And how exciting to see where He takes you next. Since he’s prepared a good work for you and all.) 😉

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:56

      Yes, although thinking about this next phase of life makes me sad once in a while, I’m also excited to see what new possibilities will open up before me. It’s bittersweet! Thanks for visiting.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  4. 4givn1 says

    August 23, 2013 at 10:12

    too sweet! It is hard. My youngest starts kdg next fall and my oldest started high school and then I have one in middle school zooming straight through. I keep telling myself that someday I will miss the hectic schedule. 🙂 hugs FMF friend!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 11:59

      Yes, it’s bittersweet, isn’t it. 🙂 We spend all of this time teaching them new things and rejoicing when they reach milestones, only to find that we miss those baby days! Thanks for stopping by!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  5. Danita says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:04

    Thanks for this…I loved that Lisajo’s prompt was ‘last’. I have never done the five minute link up before, but this word surely hit me right now in my newly almost empty nest 🙂 Thanks for your words. I love the way you phrased it’ that lasts lead to firsts and it really is just a crazy endless cycle until heaven, isn’t it?? Blessings on your day, new friend!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 12:31

      It IS a crazy cycle – that’s exactly what I was thinking as I wrote! Thanks for stopping by.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  6. leelee says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:23

    The saying when one door closes, another opens seems to fit perfectly here.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 23, 2013 at 12:30

      It certainly does! Thanks for stopping by.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  7. katherine says

    August 23, 2013 at 19:05

    beautiful post, it’s so true too, there’s always something to look forward to

    Reply
  8. Mel Caldicott says

    August 24, 2013 at 03:05

    Childhood is indeed all about firsts and lasts. I love this post. Change can be hard to adjust to but new things exciting opportunities.
    Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings.
    Mel from Essential Thing Devotions

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 24, 2013 at 21:53

      Thanks for visiting, Mel!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  9. Jennifer 'Miner' Ferguson says

    August 24, 2013 at 12:48

    Love how we were totally on the same wavelength this week!! 🙂

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      August 24, 2013 at 21:54

      Me, too! I noticed the same thing among other posts, as well. Thanks for stopping by!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

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