Seventeen and nineteen.

If you would have told me those sleepless night's of walking the floor with a sick baby were really just a blink....my exhuastion would not have believed you. If you would have told me those learning to crawl days only lasted a short time, I wouldn't have been wondering when they would walk. If you would have told me those evenings of dragging them in from a summer's day of play would quickly turn into dates with their friends...I might have let them play a little longer. If you would have told me those cherished naptimes would be over when kindergarden started...I would have laid down with them instead of cleaning. If you would have told me those afternoon school pick-up trips would quickly turn into their car pulling in the driveway...I would have driven slower on the way home. If you would have told me each time they came in the door crying with a hurt that could be fixed with a band aid, a Popsicle and hug....was simply a wonderful chance to stop and be their hero.....I would have looked for more opportunities. If you would have told me how sweet they smelled after bedtime baths...I would have made that perfume and wear it today. If you would have told me how precious those little fingers were when tying shoestrings for 30 minutes or dental floss around my knobs...I would have held their hands a little longer. If you would have told me there would be times when I hurt them with my words, my impatience, my frustration, my tiredness, my lack of knowledge...I would have understood their facial expression much better. If I had known what a amazingly hard, overwhelming, uneducated experience being a mother was....if I had seen all that was going to happen when our children were born....if I would have known it would be exactly as it has been.....I would do it all again, not a doubt in my mind or heart. BUT, I would realize each minute of each day is simply an opportunity to put another page in the scrapbook of memories. Thank you for your birthdays!!!!!! Thank you that it is all it has been.