today is a gift

That is why it is called the present.



Recently I've tried to put my feelings of contentment into words during a conversation with Brian. Being able to stay home and raise Sam and Julia is a gift I treasure and one I know I write about often. No matter how often I try to put it into words, it never seems to be enough. Being their mom is the greatest privilege next to being married to my best friend. We have a roof over our heads, a loving family, and more to keep us entertained here at the park than we can do in a summer. I used to want to get out and go somewhere every day, but now I'm content to tidy the house (FINALLY learned to stay on top of the housework most of the time), read, bake, sit on the porch, play in the sand and just BE with my kids. To put it simply our lives are just that - simple. That simplicity leaves lots of room for hugs, snuggles, giggles, and quality time spent as a family. I am grateful for the peace that God has given us after a difficult year. It's hard to believe that it was one year ago that we decided to put our house on the market, that Brian resigned from his job, and my full time daycare closed. We trusted God to work things out and he did that and more.



It was almost two years ago that we welcomed our daughter into this world. I knew to savor every moment as we had decided that she would be our last baby. Somehow 22 months have slipped by and I'm now nursing and cuddling a 34 pound toddler at nap time and bedtime instead of a 8 pound, 14 ounce newborn.

Some of the things that I want to remember about this stage in her development:

When she runs, it's like she's running in place with her knees high and one of her arms flailing.

She insists that I ONLY sing "Hup Baby" (Hush Little Baby) when I'm rocking her. No humming allowed.

She has to have four pacifiers in bed with her at bedtime.

She can get all four in her mouth at once.

The blankets have to covering her and her puppy and hippo.

She's using three word sentences most of the time.

Her screams can be heard in Iowa.

She gives some of the best hugs (Her big brother is a good teacher).

I love this girl to pieces. It's as simple as that.