I’m not sure what happened to me Saturday, but a switch got flipped and I raced into spring cleaning mode with zeal. Corners untouched for a while, got scrubbed. Dust bunnies hidden were eradicated.

I didn’t tire, but continued looking for the next area to attack with vigilance.

Flower beds were raked of their winter droppings. Fall perennials were pruned. I even managed to give a mopping lesson to my daughter. By Saturday afternoon things glistened inside and out!

Cleaning was not something I enjoyed as a child. I had multi-colored carpet that constantly changed with the array of clothes on my floor. There were far more important things to do — play with my friends!

As I’ve gotten older, I don’t care for cleaning any more than I did as a child. My multi-colored carpet is gone, but I still feel there are far more important things to do than clean — spend time with my family!

I hope I never grow out that feeling. Even when I’m a grandparent, I don’t want cleaning to be the high point of my day.

Life is full of mini adventures waiting to be explored. Family activities waiting to be done together. Escapades waiting to be discovered.

I will always dislike cleaning. After all, there are more important things to do!

Yesterday afternoon, the wind kicked up and blew. The sky dressed itself in brown clouds of dust. The trees flapped wildly and littered the yard with their dead branches. However, today all is peaceful.

As I look out my window this morning, I’m reminded of the wind’s intensity just a mere twelve hours ago. How quickly it changed.

In parenting, I find things change fast too. What works for a while, suddenly doesn’t. So we shift gears. What motivates for a time, diminishes. Shift. An effective method to teach our children becomes old school as they get older. Shift. The fun activities we do together look different as time passes. Shift.

I used to hate change. I liked things predictable. But I learned early on, that parenting requires flexibility and willingness to be open to alterations in my plans.

I’ve also learned that not all change is dreadful. This weekend is a perfect example. Typically as a family, we decide together on our vacation destination, but the actual planning I do alone. My husband is game for anything. Our daughter didn’t care as long as we had family time and fun. So I planned the details.

Saturday, as we discussed our upcoming vacation, our daughter expressed her desire to help plan. She got excited over researching our destination, and hot spots we could see and do. I was thrilled to add a co-planner. My husband had one item on his wish list and she jumped at the chance to see how we could make that happen. This year, we will plan together!

There is no doubt that change is erratic and impulsive at times. But welcome to the adventures of parenting. Buckle yourself in. Sit back. Enjoy the ride!

Spring is in the air … I think. Apart from the record high temperature and then snowfall two days later about two weeks ago, I’m hopeful Spring is finally here to stay.

I’ve said this before, but Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love seeing new life in nature. Neighbors that you haven’t seen much all winter surface with the warm weather. We round the last bend of a school year for our daughter. Family walks with the dog transpire without having to bundle up. Yes, I love Springtime.

Yesterday on our walk, I found myself looking at the trees threatening to show life on their branches, and imaged picnics and BBQs in the backyard, possible flowers blooming now that our puppy is nearing one year old, and summer vacations. I caught myself smiling at the thought of such great things.

How is it that Spring can invoke such excitement and anticipation when nature still appears so brown and dull? For me, the thrill of Springtime is the reminder that renewal will be around the corner. I may not see it yet, but I know it’s coming. Whatever has lingered, will have its chance to be refreshed and new, like a new resolution to tackle those weeds before they overtake my rose bushes this Summer.

With another Spring season here, it’s also a reminder that our daughter is growing up — only five more Springtimes and she will be college bound.

Life is fleeting. Each day counts.

How are we spending today?