"the days are long but the years are short"

I just saw this quote on facebook and it is probably the most accurate description of my life these past five years. After a summer of landscaping, Disneyland, beach camping, birthdays, baby blessings, cousins, late nights, and parades I feel really blessed. And as I see Jacob growing, and Savannah nearing the beginning of Kindergarten I am filled with melancholy at how fast the years go. As a mother almost every day I get to experience a wide range of emotions. One minute I'm so frustrated I can hardly keep my anger in check (and even as I'm writing this I am accompanied by a chorus of "but moms" and whining in the background). And then the kids will do something, say something, give me a look that makes all of the frustrations melt away for just that moment. Being a mother I walk the fine line of trying to have the patience to do what's in the best interest of my kids and trying not to overreact to fights, tantrums, and typical kid behavior. And although I think I'm doing a pretty good job I can't help but wonder about what the future holds for us. These years of mothering small children will be gone before I blink. I know this. I'm thankful that I know this. Because every day I am reminded through the words of friends when they say, "I can't believe my baby is 6, 10, 18". My baby. Because they will always be our babies no matter how old they are. So as I go through my every day of sometimes mundane chores of dishes, laundry, cleaning floors and picking up toys I will keep repeating to myself these words, "the days are long but the years are short". Because they really are.