Slow Down and Smell the Roses

It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the last month of 2018 already! This year has gone by so quickly that it almost seems as though it was just the beginning not so long ago. Sometimes, it makes me think we need to slow down a little.

I think it’s safe to say that any time you have a baby, time goes by rather quickly, and it’s almost like pregnancy was a lifetime ago. Children grow so quickly you sometimes don’t have time to realize they’re getting to the next stage of their lives.

This realization always comes for me when it’s time to get the next size in clothing for my kids, or when they’ve reached new milestones in their development. My oldest son has been in speech therapy for most of this year, and his language development is getting better every day. We’re also on the brink of potty training.

My youngest son is outgrowing his clothes all the time and will be walking before I know it. He’s already crawling on his knees and trying to stand. I sometimes can’t believe he was just barely seven pounds and needed so much not all that long ago. They still both need a lot, but their needs are constantly shifting and changing.

My baby will be celebrating his first Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m looking forward to getting Santa photos and spending many days with our family. I know that next year will be a different situation as it’s likely we’ll be PCSing and moving on to the next place, which I’m sure will not afford us the same ease of making trips home to visit.

While I hope all of you are enjoying the season with your families and friends, I also hope you take time to slow down and live in the special moments you’ll share this year. As the saying goes, stop and smell the roses. Time is fleeting, but being able to treasure the time we do have together is special and important.

And even if you aren’t able to be with your family this year, your military family can certainly make up for those missed holidays.

What are some things you do to celebrate the holidays? What do you do with your military family when you can’t make it home? Sound off in the comments below.

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Mary Spangler

Mary Spangler

Mary was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She currently lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, SFC Spangler, their two sons, and one cat. Previous duty stations include Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, Rivanna Station, Virginia, and Fort Shafter, Hawaii. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana University in 2009. During her college years she also spent some time volunteering for the Student Veteran’s Association, and participated briefly in the Army ROTC program. She loves writing, music, gardening, watching documentaries and movies, cooking, hosting get-togethers, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

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