In these little years, time goes by so fast. The hours, though, have a way of dragging on. 

Sometimes, I forget to take mental pictures, to enjoy the littleness of my children while I’m tired and busy. Chores like dishes and laundry overwhelm me and sometimes, I lose sight of what I could or should be doing. 

So, God, this mama is asking You . . . 

Help me remember the gummy smiles. Help me remember the small, dimpled fingers that wrap around mine. Help me remember the hearty giggles of my baby. 

Help me remember the way my snuggly baby’s head fits perfectly under my neck. Help me remember sleepy smiles and soft snores. Help me enjoy and remember what it feels like to be my baby’s comforter. When I’m exhausted at 3 a.m., it’s hard to stop and enjoy these things. 

I hope to always cherish the awkward waddle of my baby learning how to take those first steps. I never want to forget the pure love between my children, the way they adore and antagonize one another at the same time. I know there are times I will need to do things other than soaking up the littleness of my children. Help me drop the mom-guilt I feel in those times. 

Help me remember the chubby little arms that wrap around my neck for a bear hug. Remind me to relish those snuggles instead of focusing on the other things I want to get done. I lose sight of that sometimes. Help me remember the pure joy in my toddler’s eyes when I read her favorite book for the hundredth time. Help me remember the goofy, ear-to-ear toothy grin of my toddler. 

I hope to nourish my children’s curiosity for exploring this world. I hope they always find joy in the little things, like jumping in puddles and running in the rain. Show us all how to be more present and remember the pure joy of these moments when they’re gone.

Help me always remember the way my children fight hard but love harder. The strong-willed tots who cross their arms and stand their ground may test my patience, but I wouldn’t trade those battles for anything. Help me remember the out-of-the-box arguments my son crafts just for the sake of arguing. Help me remember the way my daughter wiggles and squirms because she’s too independent to be carried now that she can walk. 

One day, these mispronounced words will be said correctly. I know I will be so proud, but I also hope I remember the way “back” was said with a “g” for the first three years of my son’s life. 

Help me always remember how carefree my children are. Help me remember how they tell strangers at the store about the Hot Wheels car they picked out. Help me remember how a milkshake can solve any problem we come across. I wish I could keep all of their problems this simple and easily solved, but I know You’ll be with them when they have problems that require more than milkshakes to solve. I hope they will turn to You—and me—in those times. 

I know these little years are fleeting. As frustrating as they can be, I’m sure I will miss them. I fall short of the patience, present, and understanding mother I aim to be sometimes, so I hope my children are always as kind and forgiving as they are right now. They are so pure of heart in this stage of life.

So, God, this mama is asking you . . . help me remember their littleness and appreciate these moments while I’m living them. 

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