Pockets

Today, sandwiched in between therapies, preschool pick-up, and a few conference calls was a small pocket of time. A time that could have been used to tackle the mountains (yes, mountains) of laundry sitting on my bedroom floor or the extremely neglected toilets and floors, but instead I grabbed an adorable two-braided girl by the hand and we skipped outside.

No phone, no nagging minutes, no plan. Just me and my middle enjoying some rare time alone in what ended up being the most gorgeous day we've had this year.

She rode her bike. I took pictures. We had a picnic with veggie straws and giggles, and we played baseball until Brooklyn woke up and joined the party.





The sun was bright enough for sunglasses, and fur-trimmed coats were shed and replaced with polka dot and plaid hoodies.

We had stroller races until Emma got off the bus -- the only indication that our time was almost up. Therapy #2 at 4:15.

As Emma headed down the driveway and handed me her coat, she pulled out a bottle of pink Hello Kitty nail polish from her sweater pocket -- the nail polish she asked me (about 103 times) to "pleeeeeease put on" this morning.  But between outfit wars, half-made lunches, and eggs on the stove, there was no time for nail polish.

"Why did you bring that to school with you?" I asked her.

"Because I wanted to," she said with a huge grin on her face. "I carried it with me all day."

With that, she put it back in her pocket and suggested we play hide and seek until Miss Julie arrived. I smiled, soaking up her wisdom, and agreed to be the seeker.

~Linking up to Just Write

Wisdom

When we brought Brooklyn home the other day, the first thing Emma did was kiss the stitches on her head. She didn't grimace like I did; she wasn't scared. She just gave her sister a little love because, well, that's what big sisters do... especially when they haven't seen their little sister in a few days.

When Kendall saw the shunt for the first time, she said, "That's so cool" and giggled. She gave her "Brookie" a quick hug and skipped off to play.

I know they don't totally get it, but in many ways, they get it so much more than I do.


They teach me so much, these little ones.

Love. Acceptance. Peace.

This isn't easy, but it doesn't have to be complicated.

I am learning that life isn't always about totally "getting it" because let's face it, sometimes "it" just doesn't make sense at all. And many times, "it" just isn't fair.

"It" is about finding the love, the joy, the giggle.

And then trusting that in time, the understanding will come.


“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

Foto Friday: Jammies in 3D

I think it's funny how much people say the girls look alike. Honestly, I only see the differences. BUT I do see a lot of Emma in Brooklyn...much more than I ever saw in Kendall.

Anyway, I thought I'd let you all be the judges. Here are all three of my little ladies in my all-time favorite jammies. Granted, Emma is only 6 weeks old, so it's not quite a fair comparison, but you get the point.

Have a great weekend everyone! Hope you get to hang out in your favorite jammies!


Brooklyn, 3.5 months old





Kendall, 3 months old





Emma, 1.5 months old

Basking

This summer is flying by, but we are trying our hardest to savor every minute. Trying to balance the "to do" lists and errands with the fun and memorable. Trying to let go of the schedule a little and enjoy the sunshine for as long as it lasts.

Lately, I am finding joy in the every day, especially as I look at these two little girls grow more and more in love with each other. They are truly best friends, and their relationship is something they created on their own. Somehow, their relationship makes me more complete, and it makes every hard day worth it.

The three of us -- "the girls" as Jeff calls us -- we are a package deal. And I love that. They drive me crazy, yes, but they also amaze me and inspire me and love me for all that I am (and all I am not).

When I look at them -- at us -- I am happy. Often frustrated, always exhausted, and sometimes overwhelmed...but happy. And to think we get to add another girl to our "package" makes me happier. I know it makes them happier too.

(*P.S.: "Power - Part 2" later this week...)

Foto Friday: Twirl

I am by no means a photographer and my camera probably deserves the ridicule of anyone who knows anything about capturing a good shot, but lately I have been intrigued by photography and have made it a goal to try and capture moments when I feel happiness oozing from my little ladies. I even ditched JC Penney and set up an on-location photo session with a real photographer last weekend for our family photos -- and boy do I have some AMAZING shots to share. But first I have to narrow down my 70 favorites to about 10...so you'll see them in about a year. ;)

Until then, here are a few I snapped during one of the many daily dance parties that happen around here. Dresses and skirts are the clothing of choice for my girls (besides Kendall's bathing suit, but that's a whole other story...). However, there is one very important criteria...they must T.W.I.R.L.

If they don't, well, they might just as well be pants.

So while the shots from this past weekend may have some fabulous shots of pink twirling dresses and an adoring Daddy, these will have to do for now. Happy Friday everyone!

And, of course, there is always time for a quick pose or two...

Foto Friday: F is for Fun

So, I realize this blog has gotten a little heavy lately. I write when I feel led, and today I feel led to lighten up a little and share some of our family fun.

Truth be told, I was born a scheduler and rule-follower -- especially when it comes to our girls -- which means that sometimes I have to be reminded to chill out and just live. They are only little once, and the best part about being a Mommy is that you get the chance to be little all over again.

One thing that I have definitely learned over these few months is that life is truly what you make it. You can either jump in and laugh, or sit and miss out on all the fun. So I have vowed to change things around this house -- making it more playful and more joyful and full of l.i.f.e.

That started with a promise to make this summer as fun as possible...balancing planned trips with last-minute adventures and all-out silliness (and getting some work done in between). Although my hormones are trying REALLY hard to work against us, I think we've gotten off to a great start!

(Cue lots and lots of photos... Enjoy!)



Impromptu trips to random parks we drive past


Home-made popsicles on the deck


Touch a Truck day!






Home-made pizza WITH lots of gooey (dairy-free) cheese


Making sure we are dressed appropriately for every occasion ;)




Lots of fun with glitter (which Jeff just loves...)




Tickle fights with Daddy at bedtime


And last but not least...getting creative when Mommy is in bed sick all day (and Daddy is on the clock ;)

Up

She tells me she wishes she could fly.

I totally know what she means.

The weight of this world is so heavy sometimes. Too heavy.

But lately, I find myself floating. Floating somewhere between Heavenly hope and worldly reality.

This in-between, this waiting. It's confusing. Some days, I really don't know what I feel.

As I float, I work hard to keep my eyes focused on the prize, even when the gravity of it all tries so hard to keep me down.

I look at my girls; I try to live in the blessings. I try to ignore the rain and concentrate on the sparkle of the glitter that is providing so much joy. Sparkle that is making our day brighter, even if it is a little bit messy.

It's a choice, happiness. To have an Upward perspective. To hope. And I thank God every day that I have that choice because without it, my feet would never leave the ground. Even if that means I have to float a little before I fly.


(Emma's preschool Teddy Bear Picnic balloon release)

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Foto Friday: Christmas in January

"Better late than never" -- my moto of the last 4 years! ;)

Foto Friday: O Come Let Us Adore Him

I was so blessed this week with both of my girls' little Christmas programs. Both really focused on Christ...his birth...the REAL reason everyone (whether you admit it or not) is celebrating.

Of course...there were some jingle bells and red noses thrown in there too. It is a party after all!

Foto Friday: The Best Gift Ever

So we have been celebrating a ton of birthdays in our family this past month. In a 2-week period, we had 5 birthdays: Jeff's, my brother-in-law's, Kendall's, my nephew's, and mine. And that's not even getting into extended family.

But I have to say that out of everyone, I got the best gift -- by far.

Every few weeks, Emma's wonderful preschool likes to have the kids put on little "performances" at the end of class for the parents. This past Friday, my birthday, was one of those "performance" days. Emma had been learning about family all week long, making family trees, talking about God's role in our families, and even making chocolate chip cookies for our little family. Her teacher kept telling us the kids had something extra special to give us on Friday. Better than chocolate chip cookies?!

Yes. Better than chocolate chip cookies.

When the parents walked into the room on Friday, we saw this:



Our precious little ones were wrapped up in wrapping paper they decorated. The gift tag read, "To My Family. From God."




Through my tears, I saw 10 sweet little faces, patiently waiting for their Mommy or Daddy to unwrap their special gift. I walked over to Emma and gratefully "opened" her. In the background, I could hear the teacher telling our children that they were made special by God for our family. Each one of them was precious and individual and handmade by God our Father. I hugged Emma tight and told her I loved her as many times as I could.





I thank God for my children more times than I can count, but in that moment, it was different. It was a physical reminder that this precious little person was something entrusted to me by God. His child in my arms. It took me 27 years to get that gift, and I am going to spend the rest of my life making sure I get to enjoy her -- and my other precious gift -- for eternity.

What a blessing. Two years ago, I spent my birthday in a hospital bed, thanking God that I was alive. This year, He reminded me why I am alive.

Thank you, God.

Foto Friday: Joy Ride

The Moments When It's All Worth It