Let Me Hold You Longer

I found this poem on another blog I was reading..sorry can't even remember whose blog I found it on. But it brought tears to my eyes. Between the reality of Pierce going to kindergarten and Camden turning one in a few weeks it hit close to home.
Pierce had his kindergarten day at school this week. He wasn't too sure about going but once he was coaxed off my leg he had fun. Hopefully this is not a preview of the first day as that will only make it harder on me. Camden is 11 months and at such a fun age. She is starting to take steps, she has taken up to three but still prefers the crab crawl. I wasn't ready for her to walk yet but now that we are outside so much and she drags that knee and puts everything from the ground in her mouth I am ready. She also shakes her head back and forth if you say "no, no, Camden." Its hilarious, more of a side way shake. I tried to get it on tape but it doesn't do it justice. She also still loves to do her grunting face. Holt inherited Gabe's old bike and LOVES it. All we wants to now is ride bikes. He is still trying to master the braking part, his old bike didn't have breaks, but the boy could ride all day. We had a fun spring break week and enjoyed the lack of schedule and being able to do outings with Pierce, since he's usually at school 4 days. We went to Durham to celebrate Mammy's 90th birthday last weekend and the boys had fun playing with their cousins and it was great to see everyone else.

Let Me Hold you Longer, by Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.

29 Tacos

Yes, 29 tacos, that is how many our family ate the other night and Camden obviously is not quite eating tacos. I told a friend this the other day and she didn't believe me. This is the truth. Let me start with some history. When I was in gymnastics in junior high and we would have 3-4 hour practices each day, about once a week my mom would pick me up and we would go through the drive through at Taco Bell and get me a 10 pack of tacos and I would eat every one of them. I have to say when I told my friend this the other day I thought did I really eat 10, maybe I'm exaggerating. So as I'm writing this post I just called my mom and said, "did I really eat all ten?", her response, was "yes all ten." So Holt is our picky eater, well picky about anything outside the realm of junk food. But, he LOVES tacos, and yes I know that cheese, red meat, and sour cream on a taco is probably not really healthy but at least its a meat and I get some protein in him. So now we have tacos every couple weeks and Holt talks about it all day until they are served. I have to buy a 18 pack and 12 pack of taco shells. There was ONE left the other night. Pierce did have one with just cheese on it but the rest were filled with meat and toppings of choice. We did not count Holt's but we are pretty sure he ate at least 6! I started doing the numbers from there but it gets even scarier, because Pierce only ate 4, maybe 5 with the cheese shell. So if Jason ate 10, that means I ate 8. And there is our 29 tacos...

More gifts from Philly and Swimming

Jason took today off and we took the kids to the Y to swim. It was Camden's first time in the pool and she LOVED it! Pierce also got his swim necklace and went down both slides for the first time.

Mom Mom made Camden another poncho..with plenty of room to grow and the sweetest dress. Thank you!!

More Easter pics

Easter egg hunt at Gran and Pops

This is Holt yelling cheese as loud as he possibly can..this is his new thing when taking pictures.

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend and spent most of it outside in this gorgeous weather!

We all ate dinner outside Saturday night, including Camden. Thank goodness, as she was a complete mess! Lindsay, she definitely is enjoying those sweet potatoes you made her. She went straight from chair to bath.

I think Holt might possibly be cutting off Pierce's circulation with his squeeze. The boy loves to hug. The first thing he does every morning and after every nap is find Camden to give her a hug. We are working on being 'gentle' in our hugs.

After the Easter service at church.

Yes, they all have on seer sucker pants, but don't worry, Jason's are not matching.

Camden's 1st Easter!