They grow so quickly... in my own little vineyard.

I found this card at my mom's house the other day. I made it for her about 4 years ago. Sadly, I don't think I made one for myself. When I saw it I remembered how excited I was to give it to her for Mother's Day because I thought it was so cute and clever.

The kids were very excited to see how much they've grown as they matched their now, much bigger hand print with the old one.

So much has changed in four years. I have a fourth child. (She ran down the street naked yesterday. She is a crazy escape artist. The neighbors probably think I'm watching TV and eating bon bon's.) I would like to think that I've improved in certain areas of my life. My marriage has definitely gotten stronger.
I could make a list, of all the changes that have come about. But as I really looked at this card it really sunk in just how much my children have grown. I thought about how that span of time is long gone and wondered if the span of their formative years would be a strong foundation in their life. I feel some regret that the days of yesterday were often days spent without savoring a single moment with my little ones. Wishing for days where I could spend my time on my hobbies and actually having a minute to shave my legs or even fit a shower in. I have more time now than I used to. Things are getting easier but at times, (especially around 4:00 pm) I feel the stress of balancing my own little vineyard, in my own little house, with my own little kids. Under my breath I want to wish the time away. I don't want to worry about homework, getting dinner made before my kids tear my brain to shreds with constant nagging. My patience is being measured everyday, sometimes I feel myself lacking and sometimes I pat myself on the back. Always, their is room to improve... ALWAYS. What size will their little hands be in four more years? What will I do with the time I have left with them in my spot of the vineyard? The days seem long but the years are short. They grow so quickly, they really do...

But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. ...

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... Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.

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Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow.

• • •

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.