Stacey Skrysak

Live Life to the Fullest

Time To Press Pause In Life

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Peyton's Tea PartyOne simple picture; A split second caught on camera. That’s all it took for me to realize that I needed to press pause in life.
Being a working parent is tough. The days are long and sometimes the reward seems minimal, but I take pride in being able to “do it all”. I’m a parent to children both on earth and in heaven, a wife and a television news anchor. And in between my everyday life, I find time to blog, volunteer and even launch a charity in honor of our triplets. Life is busy and finding time to do it all is like mastering a 1000 piece puzzle.
My career often bleeds into my home life. My daughter, Peyton, has been a fixture in the community since her premature birth in 2013. She is sass and spunk and bursting with happiness. After a recent newscast, my photographer and I drove to my house to film a parenting segment for the news. Peyton loves the camera and adores “Photog Jon”. As we wrapped up our segment, it was time for Jon to leave for his dinner break. As he began packing up his equipment, Peyton sweetly asked, “Jon, stay for a tea party!” I chuckled as I kindly told my daughter that he had more important things to do that night. Before I could even finish my sentence, Photog Jon was sitting on the ground, ready to have a tea party with my daughter.
Press Pause In Life
For the next five minutes, Peyton poured pretend tea and giggled with her friend, Jon, and several of her closest stuffed animal pals. I was beaming, a grin from ear to ear, as I snapped a picture of this adorable moment. I looked at the picture and saw my daughter’s pure joy, and that’s when I realized it was time to press pause in life.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to take a moment to breathe. That night was my moment, my chance to step back and look at what’s most important in life. After snapping that picture, I vowed to find time to relax and enjoy the little moments. Those dishes in sink? They can wait! A family movie night is more important. That pile of laundry? It also can wait! My daughter wants to swing outside.
Pajama Day With PeytonLast week, my to-do list increased to two pages, and my Type A personality felt like it may win over. But, instead of getting dressed for the day and running our errands, Peyton and I had a pajama filled morning. We lounged and played and had a dance party to Justin Timberlake. The chores may be growing, but family comes first. As I looked at my long to-do list, I couldn’t help but shred it to pieces. I will eventually get to those important tasks, but right now I’m busy making memories.

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Comments

  1. Barb says

    I love this especially the pajamas, she is so adorable in her glasses and PJ’s enjoy time mom cause it will be gone before you know it. The to do list will still be there. Do those things when she’s busy by herself or do it in shifts it doesn’t matter.

    • Judi says

      She is adorable. I am so happy she is doing so well after such a rough start. I am sure she will accomplish all she wants to do in life.

  3. Allison says

    So sweet–these small moments really are everything! I think it took having my 6th baby to realize how much I didn’t want them to end!

  4. workingmommyabroad says

    You´re so right! Especially with the craziness of work it´s so easy to just get caught up in day to day chaos. Let´s try to put pause once a day and just spend some time on the floor with our kids without thinking about what´s next on the to do list…

  7. Janet Bailey says

    Wonderful revelation for you! You are right – the dishes can wait! Good for you and for Peyton!

  8. Micki Rappe' says

    I enjoy hearing how spunky Peyton is. I’ve always heard children with health issues and especially preemies are true fighters and have that “spunky attitude”. It’s how they have survived! God’s child.

  10. Joanne Burke says

    so important to spend time with them now. Chores and to do lists can wait and be done later. Enjoyed the picture of the tea party, Peyton is growing up so fast Love all the pictures. God Bless your family.

  12. Valerie says

    This is so true and I’m happy you have it figured out now before she’s grown and gone! I’ve figured it out a little late but my grandchildren are reaping the benefits instead of my children. ????
    Enjoy every moment and if someone has a problem with the laundry or dishes tell them to have at it!! ????

  13. Pat says

    God Bless you for doing this and making memories and you will always have in pictures and in your heart. she is so sweet and has wonderful parents who love her very much keep on doing the memories as you said the other will be their later.

  16. Jodi says

    Thank you for the gentle reminder. My life, too, is filled with working, volunteering, cooking being a wife and mother and some times my to do list takes over. My daughter is 5 and there are days when I’m just not good at having tea parties or playing at the park. I need to remember that this time goes much too fast and I need to stop and play.

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