I don't want to forget this...

Watching them be best friends...

Seeing her adorable little smile...


Getting them to sit still for just one second...

When he does this and then tells me his shirt is "broken"...

Painting with shaving cream...

And making lots of messes...

These precious little pigtails...

And crazy spaghetti faces...




Being just like Daddy...

***
Dear Father God:
Grant me the wisdom to guide them down the path that their feet should take. For I know that they can never turn back and walk those paths with me again. Give me the wisdom to guide their feet so that someday they'll be able to walk alone.
They're only little once.

Give me the time I need to enjoy them. For I know that after they're grown, I'll never have another chance to tell stories and pretend at those tea parties. I'll never have another chance to watch them in a school play or church sing, or to see them catch that first fish or hit that first home run ball. Give me the time in life's busy schedule to have fun with my children.
They're only little once.

Let me be a loving parent. Let me correct and not just punish, explain and not merely scold. Let me know when to correct, and how often, and when it's best to just look the other way. Help me be patient and give me a gentle hand to mold them into better people.
They're only little once.

Let me be a good teacher and an even better example. Give me the right words and deeds to teach them. Help me to teach them about You and how to walk in Your ways so that when they are old they will not depart from Your ways. For they're only little one time, only innocent and trusting and pliable for a space of time, one minute in an eternity. Let me do my best for them while I have the chance.