Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Spending Time

Spending ...
time!

It is a commodity... like money.

We choose where it goes and where it goes shows what we value.

When we spend the commodity of time, we are saying, "I will trade this time for ...

what?"

I spend it, I trade it for...

moments blogging, a bath, a phone conversation, a project that I want done, volunteering, cleaning, kissing my baby.

But sometimes a connection is lost and someone is waiting-

...waiting for you to have some deposits in your time spending account so that you can trade some of your time for time with them. Sometimes someone is waiting for you to spend your time commodity on them.

I have one little boy who gets lost in video games and books and is in a stage where he just isn't connecting with me.

So today I whispered in his ear so his brothers wouldn't hear, "Shhhh, come outside with me." And we snuck outside and played some basketball. Just us. I was winning at HORSE, with only an H while he had an H-O-R-S, but then he came from behind and beat my butt. It was so good for me to play with him and spend my time on my boy.

Maybe I was actually the one waiting.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome and honest post. I don't know how you do it with 4 boys! You are an awesome example of a great mommy! Take care Amie

lsnellings said...

That is great! Focused time spent with our children is so important!

Foursons said...

Great post. And thanks for ah,um, *cough* convicting me.

Unknown said...

those are the moments a quality life is made of. priceless! is there anything better than motherhood? well, grandmotherhood, but you're not there yet and no point in rushing things. enjoy those boys!!!!!

Farmgirl Paints said...

I hear ya girl. It's really a challenge balancing it all. Good for you recognizing that gap that needed bridged a little:)

JennyMac said...

Love this...quality focused time is critical.

Sande said...

You are so right. It's the only thing we can't buy... besides life.

Helen McGinn said...

Oh, I so recognise this. My wee lad so looks forward to 'Fraser Day' but it doesn't happen often enough for both of us. Going to do something about that....thank you. x

Brian the old man said...

That is sweet. I love spending time with my children. I only wish there was more time to do so. Many times it is like the song Cats in the Cradle. I have the time but they don't because they are busy living their own lives. I love when we find those special moments together. Thanks for sharing.

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love to connect with women who live with all boys like me! I call it "sweet chaos." Glad you like the comment about "you think my hands are full..." I started saying that to all the rude people in the stores that would stop and say, "All boys? You poor thing! You've got your hands full!" I wanted to respond with something not so nice, and when I saw that saying somewhere, I thought, "perfect!" So now when they say "Boy, your hands are full" I just smile and say, "you should see my heart!"
Your family is gorgeous!
Will be following you too!
Blessings,
Traci

Love & Maple Syrup said...

And aren't those the BEST times? I love boy stories like that! And the reminder that just when we think someone else needs our attention and give it to them, we end up gaining so much more... isn't that the course love often takes?