it gets different.

As my mother-in-law was leaving from their 9-day vacation, she told me,

"Hang in there, it gets better....well, it gets different."

and it's stuck with me.  People often leave the cliche/encouragement there - "it gets better" - and it leaves me with this sense that this season is to be rushed through as quickly as possible.  (Yes, I know EVERY season of life has its good and bad, but for some reason, it finally clicked with me: this season has it's own unique perks and blessings that I will lose once the boys are grown.  Sure, they'll be replaced with other good things, but THIS season's good things will be gone with the season.)

[Welcome to a "duh" moment in my brain :)]

Yes, it's hard not having time for myself, my marriage, relationships, ministry, or school, and it's hard having such a physically exhausting daily life, BUT the choices that my boys will be free to make as they get older - good and bad - will bring about its own type of pain and heart ache.  Would I so easily trade one for the other? 

Today, I am glad I'm not in control of the process.  That I have lots of time to transition from one stage to the next.  That my kids really love and need me in such a great way.  That I get to hug them often.  That they think I'm really cool.  That they want to be just like Kris and I.  That their love is seen in their honest expressions of their hearts.

Yes, it gets better, but some things get worse.  Life is change, so embrace today.  Things will be different: such is the adventure.