A couple of friends are having a moving sale and I took some of the things that had been in a box in the closet packed up to take to a donation place. Before we even had things unpacked and prices on them people were asking “How much for this?” Old jewelry, picture frames, knick-knacks. Things that are now going to be used instead of in a box in a closet.

A friend of mine, Anne, emailed me updating me on her family. Knowing that I am expecting, she shared some wonderful advice.

—No one ever gives you a handbook on being a parent. No one says, “when they tell you they hate you and slap you and slam the door in your face….you should do XXX to resolve the problem.” And no one says, “oh by the way, your kitchen floor is going to be sticky and dirty for about 5 years straight!” Or even, “don’t bother with carpet in your house because your son will trash it completely by the time he’s 3 1/2”.

Now granted, no one ever says, “when he wraps his little arms around your neck and whispers ‘I love you so much mommy’ that it will make you drop to your knees and hold him like you might never see him again”….. or, “when he’s learning to swim and he jumps in for the first time by himself and he says, ‘ look mommy, I did it all by myself!’ that you’ll tear up and pray that he doesn’t grow up any faster than he already is.”…. but the BEST thing EVER is when he uses his manners or does something super polite for someone else without your prompting – like when traffic stops in a parking lot so you can cross over, and he lifts his little hand, waves and screams, “THANK YOU SIR!”…. now THAT is what makes your heart beat.–

Oh the things that I have to look forward to in the coming years.

My new nephew (about 3 months old in this picture), over a year old now. Too bad I don’t get to see him but once a year.