Sunday, May 29, 2016

The Fastest 18 Months

And, so it happened. Just like that. (*snaps fingers*) My little boy is in nursery. For those of you who aren't familiar with the LDS church, nursery is Sunday School and play time for toddlers during two hours of church; kiddos start going when they're a year and a half old.

What? This view through the peephole occupied my sights for the majority of the only thirty minutes I wasn't in there with him during those two hours? Why yes. Yes it did.

Don't get me wrong, he did great. Not surprisingly, as I've been going to nursery with him on and off for the last month or two just to get him warmed up to it and keep him busy. Granted, I tried leaving once today and couldn't manage, with the few tears that came. I successfully left him on his own during snacktime. AKA--'Mom? Who's that? Time...'

Baha.. I really think he would have done fine if I'd left him on his own from the start today. But dangit--it's so hard to do! Honestly, that's a whole TWO hours of his life I don't get to watch him, interact with him, and just laugh at how stinking cute he is. (Yes, I know...babysitters are also hard for us. Judge away.)

So, I took what I could get through the peephole and watched him sit with all the other kiddos at that table eating snacks quietly. I returned about ten minutes later to find the leaders blowing bubbles. Anthon kept his distance during that--not for lack of loving bubbles, you'll understand--but for lack of knowing how to interact with a bunch of toddlers swinging their arms in circles and squealing in excitement. haha. One of the leaders took mercy on him and lifted him up and over to the bubbles where he happily popped them from above the other childrens' heads.
People say that missions fly by. My mission was a year and a half--the same amount of time we've had with Anthon in the family and I can very honestly say that the length of these two life events could not feel more different on an emotional scale.

It might be because, at the end of a mission, you've come in contact with so many people, learned so much, changed just about every facet of who you are, and grown so much closer to God. Whereas, with motherhood, and a child--you actually have a little legged, lovable creature running around, reminding you every time you look at him how much bigger he is than the first time you held him (and every time after that). Missions also give you a lot of time to slow down and ponder, what with all the time for study you have. In contrast, motherhood, as Anthon would say it, is 'GO, GO, go!'

All that being said, long or short emotional time frames, I'm grateful for both of those major blessings in my life, particularly, today, for that legged, lovable one that looked just as cute through that peephole as he does up close. Additionally, for my mission, which taught me about my divine role, revelation, trials, and joy--all things that help me truly enjoy Anthon each and every day.

Here's to you, babykins. Happy first day of nursery :)