Prior to the fake wall being put up in our kitchen to protect us from the addition construction, Newsweek author Anna Quindlen’s essay on motherhood hung on our bulletin board. The whole thing. I’d read it a lot. Over and over, often focusing on this particular part:
But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
Amen, right? I think about this so much. And then I think about how, I’m quite certain, that in the future I will so miss.. right now. Ages 8 and 2 are rocking my world. I’ve hit that sweet spot. Sure, there is homework and activities and fighting and diapers and tantrums and visits to the pedi and the pacifier to take away and refusing to eat anything that basically isn’t plain white but honestly. This is as good as it gets. I’m quite certain it’s what I will be missing when I’m very old. This exact right now moment.
So, in my new kitchen design there isn’t all that much wall space due to my obsession with windows, but there is one small little area right to the left of my farm sink. I originally thought the above pictured art would be great upstairs by the boys’ room; makes sense. But I think I’m going to keep it right by me in the heart of the home. It’s going to be my daily reminder that every single time L and B are put to bed, they wake up a day older. I know there is a lot of good in that as well, but I can’t help but want to cling to exactly right now.
So, as a Mother’s Day gift to all of you rockstar moms of boys, I’m giving away one of these darling prints, made by House Of Belonging. Just follow the simple steps in the Rafflecopter widget below to get entered. Remember, the more you enter, the better your chances of winning this amazing prize!
But don’t wait! This giveaway is open now through next Saturday, May 9th, and the winner will be announced on Mother’s Day over on the ALFS Facebook page.
Giveaway rules: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from May 4 through May 9, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. A single winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter (powered by Random.org) and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. By entering this giveaway, entrants give their consent for their email address to be added to the ALFS newsletter list.
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Courtney
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Love this print! The saying is so true!
Twitter: dkrekoska
says:
So true and so hard to do on a daily basis. Thanks for the reminder to cherish each day with my kiddos.
Such truth here, I often wish for a day to go back and hold my little ones again…they are now grown men. I am following this advice with my grandsons knowing how special each moment is.
Twitter: J_maceinyoface
says:
rhwrw is a perfect spot for this right between my two boys’ bedrooms. Such a cute sign!
This is perfect! Something I try to remind myself of every day with Nathan. They grow up too fast!
Twitter: charminglyuncmp
says:
Ohhh I love this so much. Sitting in the grass just yesterday I said if I could freeze this age and these moments right now I so would (albeit maybe just past potty training). I don’t have a boy but would love to share this with my favorite (only) nephew.
I would hang it in our playroom! I love this so much!!
Jannira Velazquez recently posted…Stephani + Brahian
These prints are amazing!! Little boys are the best friends, playmates and adventurers and they grow up so fast! Would love to hang one of these in my boys’ brand new playroom in our new house. A good reminder everyday to cherish all the moments, crazy and calm, with my boys
Twitter: slos0530
says:
Love this print and would give it to my sister who has 2 boys:) I couldn’t think of a better mother’s day gift for her to hang in their foyer!
love this print!
this is great! I would hang this in the entryway!
Twitter: LauraT_Funk
says:
I want this so so so so bad
Laura Funk recently posted…Win $100 Amazon Gif Card with Makobi Scribe! #Giveaway #Instagram
What a great giveaway this is. Who wouldn’t love to win that?
I would hang this in my living room so I could be reminded everyday that some moments need to be lived in & cherished. I hope I win!
Twitter: _Everyday_Life_
says:
Aw what a beautiful gift to give. Every mother loves having prints of their children.
becca recently posted…Music Monday #Music
Twitter: hautepeople
says:
This is a great prize and I would love to win it. I love anything that is artsy and creative
Lorane recently posted…Life Update + Random
Parenting is still awesome when they’re older. Those ages are really fun times though!
Liz Mays recently posted…Dreams, Handprints and Spooky Phenomena #HandontheMirror
Twitter: KatieMarkeyMcL
says:
Love that print! Very cute. That Anna Quindlen quote is so good too. I need to remember that more.
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted…3 Ways Mother’s Day Changes When You Become a Mom
Now those are just adorable… I would love to get one from my kids. Thanks so much for sharing.
Those are really sweet. I love the fonts they have too! What a great gift!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Dreft, Is The Only Laundry Detergent For Newborns & Growing Babies #Amazinghood (Giveaway)
Twitter: Fidoseofreality
says:
This so very much would make a good gift for a mom with boys
Carol Bryant recently posted…How to Stop Puppy Mills
I love those prints! I have never thought about what they say, but I will now! It’s interesting, but true!
Stacey- Travel Blogger recently posted…New Dyson V6 Absolute Cordless Vacuum available at Best Buy @BestBuy #cordlesspower
Twitter: tiarastantrums
says:
This board is so adorable! Your sons looks so cute holding these signs! I agree, keep the signs near to you!
Tiaras & Tantrums recently posted…5 One-Stop Shop Gifts for Moms with American Greetings
Twitter: loisaltermark
says:
Oh, I love those prints! What a fantastic giveaway!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…i’m off to puerto vallarta for the natja conference!
Twitter: roamingfamily
says:
Your kids are too cute. And I LOVE the signs also- so nice!
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Red Wine, Doctors & Sunshine
I have an obsession with windows too. I love natural light! Fun giveaway you have there too!
Twitter: dedastudios
says:
I love the print. I agree if I could have a redo – I would definitely live in the moment more.
Debbie L. recently posted…Make sure Your Basement Stays DRY!
what an awesome giveaway. i’m entering now and sharing with my friends.
I am trying to be more in the moment myself. I am loving this giveaway. Thanks!
Krystal recently posted…Summer Sangria Party Ideas
This would be perfect in his new play room!
“… and then before you know it, they’re grown.”
Ahh! I absolutely love this quote! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Twitter: SavingCmnCents
says:
I love the Peter Pan quote in your first photo! If I was lucky enough to win, I’d hang it in the hallway by my kiddo’s bedrooms. That is there space and it’s a nice reminder to them to make the most of every day!
Jessica Harlow recently posted…Enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card to The Children’s Place!
Love this print for my boys!!!
Twitter: shockinglydlish
says:
It’s going in my son’s room!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious recently posted…Lemon Leek Moscato Chicken #SundaySupper
Love this saying!
Twitter: mammiep
says:
mother of 3 grown boys who have little boys of their own. Feeling very blessed