Too Cute!

My eight year old daughter Abby is really coming into her own style. She and I went shopping recently and I noticed how her clothing choices have started to branch out a little. She has always loved skirts and dresses and anything girly but recently she has been exploring the whole leggings with shorts or leggings with skirts thing. She picked out this hat too and I thought it looked adorable on her. I always want Abby to feel confident in her choice of style. I love that she still wants my help picking out clothes but that she is also becoming a little more independent in so many ways.

Abby has always been fearful to to do things by herself. She never wanted or desired to go to the bathroom by herself in a restaurant, she didn't want to be dropped off for any practice at the door but always wanted me to walk her in. Lately she has started to show signs of confidence and maturity that are really a treat to watch. I love the balance she displays of being independent when appropriate but not trying to be more mature or older than she is. I think second grade has been a great confidence building year and I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Thank you Abby for being the sweetest daughter I could ever ask for. The joy and pride I feel in being bestowed the honor of being your mom is immeasurable. Our God knew how much we needed each other and I am forever grateful. I love you!!

Hearts Melting!!

Today is just one of those days where you take the time to realize how blessed you really are and how much I absolutely adore my kids. Here our a few pictures of my favorite little people.

Here is Abby eating her chinese with her fancy chopsticks. She is so easy going, so thoughtful and so caring. I love her to pieces and she could not be a better daughter or big sister. Her cheerleading is coming along great, she is throwing her back handspring by herself with a little encouragement. Hopefully she will be completely ready to go when competition starts in one month.



Here is Will last night as he crashed on the couch. What a sweetie. Mike has been out of town(he is on his way home as I type:) so Will has been my little bed buddy, he loves to be with his Momma.




Lastly this picture brought tears to my eyes. Will brought this home from Kindergarten today. They just celebrated their 100th day at school and this is what Will thought he would be doing at 100 years old. God is so good. I am so glad Will's tender little heart gets it.


In case you can't read it, Will's answer is: up in hevin with my savyor

Darn You Perkins!!

Well this morning my grandparents were headed out the door as it was the last day for 20% off at their Perkins in Springfield. As my grandpa stepped off the porch he hit a patch of ice and slipped, falling to the ground. He ended up breaking his L hip and will have surgery bright and early tomorrow morning. Tonight I headed over to visit him in the hospital and am so glad I got to spend time taking care of him and just talking.

As I have gotten older it has been harder and harder to see my grandparents as my own family's schedule has gotten busier. We just saw them two weeks ago but barely got to visit as the house was full of people. I am so lucky to have three living grandparents at my age and really need to get better about making time to see them more often. Life is such a balance, I feel like you are pulled in so many directions, trying to please your family, your parents, your in-laws and carve time out for yourself as well.

Even though I am fortunate to have family that really does not put pressure on me, I continue to stress about pleasing everyone. I am sure God would love for me to spend less time stressing out about pleasing others and more time pleasing Him. So even though I would much rather have my Grandpa walking around right now and this to have never happened, I am so grateful for the blessing of spending time with him tonight. Only God can provide a blessing in such unwelcome circumstances. I am grateful to have a husband who so willing let me drop our plans today and go spend time with him. I am praying tonight for peace for my Grandparents, for the surgeon to be well rested and have no difficulties during the surgery tomorrow, as well as a full recovery.

What if funny about this story is when my grandma got the chance to step out of the hospital today to get a bite to eat, guess where she went....PERKINS!!!

Will's new bed

Well this is the second night that our little Will has created a new little bed for himself. He lays down a blanket on his rug, brings over the bedside table lamp and goes to sleep. As I was taking the above picture the following happened:



The flash must have awakened my sweet tired boy and he stood right up. I asked him if he wanted to get back in his bed and he did this:



He must have needed some time to think about it and ended up in the bed of his choice:


So tonight as I head to bed I will again gently pick up my sweet boy and place him in the bed that I think is probably the most comfortable one in the whole house. When I spoke with Will this morning about him falling asleep on the floor last night he looked at me in shock and said "How did you know that?". Oh this little boy never ceases to make me laugh. Thankyou for the blessing of both my children Lord. Thank you that they warm my heart with each day despite the frustrations that sometimes come with motherhood. May our lives warm your heart Lord and bring you glory as we strive to be the children you have hoped and known we could always be.

Thank you!!

I just want to thank my heavenly father my my two healthy kids. Personally I know of someone who just miscarried and someone who is pregnant but knows their baby girl is slowing dying inside. I have also heard from others in the blogging world of those who have lost infants or their children are fighting cancer. I know that we can't understand the meaning behind all this sadness. Often when tragedy strikes a person asks "Why Me" but I feel like I am the one who should be asking this. Why was I able to get pregnant without a miscarriage, why have my children remained healthy? Yet asking why doesn't change the fact that I feel very blessed no matter what the reasoning. It also doesn't guarentee that this blessing will remain. So I thankyou Lord for the provisions you have made for my family, I pray that I can honor you with the lives you have entrusted me to raise. When I see people who are glorifying you despite their terrible circumstances it makes me want to make sure that I am glorifying you in my current time of blessing. I pray that I can be a comfort to those who are mourning for their children and I pray that I do not waste the time I have with my children. Help me to live a life that is glorifying to you at all times and in all circumstances.