The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short

A while back my friend and I were commiserating on how difficult our toddlers were.  I think I was just starting to refer to Ainsley as the honey badger and she just painted her whole body with my mascara.  She then said "The days are long and the years are short". A common phrase that I had heard in the past, but never fully realized. Now as a parent, I get it. I say this often now and has become my mantra. My son will be starting Kindergarten next Monday and I find myself saying where did the time go? Seems like I just came home from the hospital with him last year. Seems like it was just yesterday that he took his first steps and said his first words and the same goes with Ainsley. I catch myself getting years mixed up because they go by just that fast. Just to torture myself a little more, I decided to do a one year album for Calvin and I hear myself saying again, where did this year go? I often wonder what I did before I was pregnant. I was definitely a lot more relaxed and my house was definitely cleaner. I didn't have to share my make up or my food for that matter. To jump in the car to go to the store was quick and easy. Restaurants were a norm. I actually went shopping for myself ALL the time. My car was clean and smelled good. I showered alone and took a bath all alone. I actually watched adult TV and no not porn! Overall life was easy. Funny thing is that life before kids seems stale in comparison to my chaotic, smelly, messy life that I have right now. It is hard, but oh so rewarding. When Ainsley comes in the house with a fresh mud pie oozing through her fingers, dripping on my freshly vacuumed  carpet, I scream of course. I then remind myself that the days are long, but the years are short and to embrace it and try not to miss a second, because in a heartbeat that mudpie will be her car keys and she will be driving off to college or to see her boyfriend in Tallahassee.