Afternoon Cup: Stop & Smell The Cobwebs
It’s the last week of October. I can feel the excitement building as the 31st approaches. My husband has taken a day of vacation (I love, love, love waking up all together and having some pajama time in the mornings as a family.) and I can hardly wait! We will start the day with ghost pancakes (complete with chocolate chips for eyes) and something new I got this year. I wanted to make something that could double as breakfast and then also be dessert later that night, so I’m adding pumpkin muffins to the mix this year. (I’ll spread some butter on ‘em right out of the oven in the AM, and then top ‘em with cream cheese icing for a post dinner treat!)
We saved our pumpkin carving this year for Halloween day. We also like to get out and about on Halloween because there is always something fun to do locally. Once the kids are both down for a nap, the hubs and I will watch something spooky and then it is chili time. We get our chili started early so it can have time to simmer. We do the same thing with our Wassail recipe. Before we know it, it is time for costumes, pictures, and then trick-or-treating. Halloween for us is a little structured, a little chill, and a whole lot of fun!
Interestingly enough, in the midst of all the excitement, there’s also the knowledge that this time of year is almost over. Along with that truth comes a tinge of sadness that the whole thing has almost come to an end. I caught myself in that mindset over the weekend as I pulled up to my house and viewed my skeleton campfire scene out front. I literally had to snap myself out of it because dwelling on the near end of October would end up putting a gray cloud over this last week (because what we focus on consumes us). I reminded myself to enjoy each moment. Living in the moment and being present in the time you are given is what makes memories. Focusing on the negative not only robs your joy, but also the opportunity to make memories that will last a life time.
It was during this moment of reflection, as I reminded myself that I needed to slow down and enjoy the moments left, that I stumbled upon my little Halloween humor. As I was gazing at the cobwebs in my front yard, I thought to myself, “Stop and smell the cobwebs.” Obviously, I chuckled to myself. But then I seriously reflected upon the simplicity of that thought. It went beyond appreciating the moments left in October, but to also the moments of my boys childhood. I can’t believe I have a four year old. I cant believe that my baby is closer to one and a half. I feel like I’m going to blink and they will be teenagers and wanting to hang out with their friends instead of my husband and I.
So today I stopped. I didn’t open my laptop while the boys were awake. I didn’t work down my to-do list of house chores. I crawled around with them. I cuddled them when I could. I appreciated every joyful grin and giggle that I got. I made an exception of our not eating on the white rug rule and ate lunch in the living room while we watched a movie. Today I invested in my boys. I invested in making memories with them. I put down my phone. I took in each moment. I slowed down. I stopped and smelled the cobwebs. And you know what? When I focused on the simple joys, I had more patience. I didn’t feel as emotionally spent at the end of the day. And I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow.
Slowing down allowed me to love on my boys more, and it grounded me in a way that I wasn’t expecting. So as Thursday approaches, I encourage you to be intentional about spending some quality time with your kids. Make some Halloween cookies. Watch a family friendly spooky movie together. Carve or decorate a pumpkin. Put down your phone. Crawl around with them (or other age appropriate activity). Appreciate each smile and giggle. Soak in the moments. Stop and smell the cobwebs.
xoxo