When to Wash Dishes? And When to Play with my Kids?

I had my arms in a sink of soapy water and dirty dishes, cleaning up from morning breakfast. I turned around for a moment to grab the dishes on the counter behind me and I saw my son, toddle into the kitchen with a pillow. He laid it in the middle of the floor and looked at me with his impish grin.

I had a moment, a split second to make a choice. Continue washing dishes or play with my son.

And by the look on his face, I could tell he was expecting me to choose what I usually choose – getting those breakfast dishes taken care of so we can get out the door and start our day.

But not this morning.

This morning, I quickly dried my hands and asked him if I should take a nap. His enthusiastic “yea!” told me everything I needed to know as I curled up on the floor and pretended to snore.

While my eyes were closed, he walked into the other room and got me a blanket to cover up with.

Which caught the attention of my daughter, who grabbed the most important stuffed animals and brought them to lay with me.

And we three laid on the kitchen floor laughing and playing and pretend snoring and singing Frozen songs. And I couldn’t tell you how much time past.

What I can tell you is the thoughts that were speeding through my head.

This is how I want my kids to remember me.

This is what I wish I would do more often.

This is where I need to be.

These are the times I wish I was on a reality show so I could have a video of this moment forever.

(Ok, not a reality show really, but a candid video of this would have been nice.)

Before I lost my chance, as the little ones grew restless, I reached for my phone to take a picture. To snap a shot of this moment in time and freeze it. Freeze my kids right where they are – wanting so badly to play with me and be with me. Freeze me in that moment – realizing that the dishes will still be there in the minutes ahead and realizing of all the things I could be doing in that moment, this way a powerful choice.

Because I’m learning. I’m learning that the to-do list is good and the house needs to be kept but that I am also tending hearts. I’m learning when to say “the dishes can wait” and when to say “the dishes need to be done now so I can enjoy something else later”. I’m learning to take moments captive.

What are you learning about taking the moments captive? Would you share in the comments?