Those moments that matter most

By Amanda

Lately my work life has become so hectic that I find I don't really fully separate from it and concentrate on my children unless we get out of town. So on Thanksgiving we did just that. As a journalist it was my first Thanksgiving off in many years and I decided that cooking was definitely not on the agenda.

The fantasy of spending a weekend with my children in the mountains was too good to resist. Of course, I never considered the reality: the fighting in the car (before we had even left our street), the complaining about why Mommy's Volvo station wagon doesn't have a built in DVD player, and don't even get me started on sharing a hotel room with two kids.

But despite the frustrating moments (my 4-year-old's temper tantrum in the hotel lobby when she hid beneath the Christmas tree almost sending it teetering over), I was able to disconnect and re-connect with being a mother again. 

My main method was to put down the Blackberry, turn off my computer, and let nothing else distract me, like laundry or dirty dishes. When I do make these rare moments to be just a mother, they remind me that there's no place I'd rather be than in those moments.

Dancing with my 4-year-old to goofy big band music in front of hundreds of strangers in the hotel lobby was one of those moments. Cuddling in bed with both of my girls, their faces still soft with sleep, their legs wrapped around me like octopus tentacles, was another one of those moments. Watching them delicately hold baby chicks and squeal with delight at a nearby farm was yet another one of those moments.

At the end of the day, life is made up of moments. Some are more precious than others. I need to find a way to have more of "those moments" and less of the ones that don't really count. That's my resolution for 2008.

Amanda Lamb lives in North Carolina with her husband and two daughters. Her new book, "Smotherhood," was just released.

Comments

[texas dermatologist]

These treatments not only helps to provide solutions for skin color but also to the entire body.

[champagne flutes]

That is really the key to not only enjoying motherhood but enjoying life. You can find joy in almost any moment if you can try to just take a deep breath and be in the moment. It's so beautiful to be in a moment with your children.

[WAHM Tara]

Hi Amanda,
Sounds like you enjoyed the time!

I know as a mom of 4, sometimes it seems like I do not have enough time with my babies. I cherish every minute I do have with them and d my best to spend as much time with them as I can.

Since I do run a home based business, I work. So I am not with them every second of the day, but I try very hard to be with them as much as I can.

They grow so fast and I would hate to miss anything!