But I Don't Want to Wish These Days Away!

OK. Yesterday I wrote about a great experience I had with my son over the weekend and now I am writing about my feelings of despair from that same evening.
We're up.
We're down.
Welcome to my world!

It was time for bed, the kids were showered, and we were gathering for family prayer.
At this point, I had already become frustrated with Matthew's inability to stay focused and he had lost use of all electronics for the next two days. (Usually, the thought of not having computer time is enough to motivate him to stay on task. Not so Saturday night.) While I was hopeful that we could have a peaceful, meaningful time as a family with the Lord before heading to bed, it was not to be so.
The boys were fidgety and could seem only to focus on one another. I started off simply giving them "the eye," and when that didn't work I reminded them verbally about the behavior I expect from them during family prayer.
I am sure my tone of voice was less than loving, and I know the fact that I was quite tired myself didn't help matters. At all.
And when the boys continued in their rambunctiousness, I simply looked at my husband, sighed, and said, "One day. Right? One day."
Meaning, "One day I'm going to miss this, right?" I mean, that's what everyone says who has grown children. One day I'm going to miss the noise. And for a brief moment I thought, Ah, that day can't come soon enough!

But then I remembered, I don't want to wish these days away!

Have you been there, too? Perhaps you're there right now - caught somewhere between, Lord, grow them up. Quickly! and Oh! Let them stay my babies forever!
It's a hard balancing act, this mothering thing is. Don't know how I would survive it without the grace and mercy of God.
Check that. I know I wouldn't be able to survive it without the grace and mercy of God. Let's go to Him together right now.

Father in heaven, thank You. Thank You for your grace and mercy, which You give so freely. Your grace and mercy which none of us deserves, yet You lavish it upon us. And yes, Lord, I thank You for my children. Indeed, they are gifts from You - and when they're being quiet and I am not tired, it's easy for me to remember that. Please help me to remember it, also, in the midst of the noise.
Lord, we are in constant need of Your grace and mercy. And I am asking You now - for myself, and for each of my friends here - for patience and abounding love for our children. Help us to treasure the moments we have with them now, that we may not wish these days away. When the moments are feeling like too much for us, Father, flood us with peace and be our Strength.
We need You, and we are so thankful for Your faithfulness toward us.
Amen and amen!