I said "Yes"

My friend Jennifer over at Parenting Steps challenged our group of Mommy friends to "Be a 'Yes' Mom" for a week--say "yes" to something we normally wouldn't like ice cream for breakfast, crazy clothes, etc. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I am not more of a "Yes" Mom, not at all. Growing up I thought I'd be this really cool spontaneous mom, but somehow I have turned into a crazy  mom who thrives on schedule and needs things to be "just-so." Huge messes from finger paints unnerve me, as do cookie crumbs everywhere or unexpected detours when trying to get from point A to point B. So when I read the challenge this morning on Facebook, part of me cringed, but that same part knew I HAD to do it. Initially I planned (keyword "plan") to just say yes to the kids playing in the water in the backyard. But this morning when the kids and I needed to walk to the Post Office to mail a package, Nicolaus asked if he could walk instead of riding in the stroller with his sister. I heard a voice in my head (ahem Jennifer) saying "Be a YES Mom!" So off we went, Carleigh in the single stroller and Nicolaus rushing ahead; skipping beside; squatting to pick up a rock, pine cone, or acorn. And do you know what...he pointed out fragrant peonies along the way I had never noticed, butterfly cocoons hangingon a porch, dewy honeysuckle climbing along a railing, a robin's egg fallen from its nest. You see, I normally click the two of them into the double stroller and power walk wherever we need to go like its my life's purpose. If I hadn't said "Yes," we would have missed a memorable morning. Andplusalso, I didn't bring my phone, so normally when I would have been tempted to instagram, FaceBook or text every little discovery, instead they're all ours and I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially in today's society when we are all so plugged in to social networks and our electronic devices, it is easy to let meaningful personal relationships and special moments pass us by. So I ask you, what are you missing by not saying "Yes?" By not following your children's footsteps for they are making discoveries every day?

Matthew 18:3 
3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."