Being held by Daddy - Day 159

I am amazed by the realization lately of how fast our daughters are growing up. Every time I try to pick them up and hold them, or they sit in my lap - I realize that they are quickly getting too big for it! My aching arms or legs remind me after a fairly short time! But, fortunately for them - Daddy is bigger and stronger than mommy, so they likely have longer to look forward to him picking them up and holding them. The other night after he got home from work, they both ran to see him. I walked around the corner into the kitchen to see my youngest looking over his shoulder at me - just as happy and satisfied as could be...made my mommy heart melt! I wanted to capture this memory and hold onto it.

“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.”   Author Unknown

Thoughtfulness - Day 158

Last night my husband walked in the door carrying my favorite treat from Starbucks...an iced green tea! Sometimes its the small things...like knowing someone was thinking of you! Made my whole evening sweeter somehow!

“May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love.”   Unknown

Concentration - Day 157

I just loved this look of intense concentration I captured on my daughter's face the other day! I love how she purses her lips together when she is giving something every ounce of her attention!

“Success in any endeavor requires single-minded attention to detail and total concentration.”    Willie Sutton

Throwing the ball - Day 156

My poor girls...they definitely throw like girls! Just like their momma! But - their Daddy is working on that...and I'm just grateful that they are willing to keep throwing the ball and trying! Even when they drop it, or it hits them in the nose (fortunately it is usually a soft ball!) - or when it doesn't go where they want it to...they just pick it up and try again. I am glad!

“Life isn’t worth living unless you’re willing to take some big chances and go for broke.”   Eliot Wiggington

Measurements of growth - Day 155

As we are touching up the paint in our house and preparing it for sale, this is one of the things that couldn't stay. I have to admit to being a little say...we moved into this house when our oldest was a little over a year, and about a month before our youngest was born. We have used this wall to measure their growth through the years. And they took it to heart one year, and measured their dolls and stuffed animals on the opposite wall...we had to tell them that as much fun as that was, it wasn't likely to change over the years! We did get a nice piece of wood to transfer all the measurements to, so we don't lose their growth, and that will move along with us to continue to keep track of how they grow. And the beautiful thing is? They WILL continue to grow - no matter where we are! 

 “Grow where you are planted.”   Unknown

Painting together - Day 154

Shortly after my husband and I were married over 12 years ago, we made a discovery. As any husband and wife learn - home improvement projects can be a strain on any marriage - especially a new one! For us, the worst thing ever was painting together. We decided that it just was not good for our marriage to paint together. Fast forward to the present time, and last evening. We painted a whole room together - and had a GREAT time! Not just endured and made it through - but really and truly had fun! Funny thing is...now I don't even remember what made it bad when we tried before so many years ago. I am so thankful for the advantages of growing together in marriage, and learning how to work together in everything!

“Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reason that families work.”   Author Unknown

A date with my daughter - Day 153

Night before last, I had the privilege of going on a date with my daughter. She is growing up so fast, and so many things are changing so quickly that I wanted to take some time to treasure and celebrate it with her. She dressed up for the occasion - and even picked out clothes for me to dress up with her. Sometimes I'm tempted to be sad at how quickly she is growing up - and choose instead to be thankful for the blessing of each and every day that I am given with her - and treasure and live them to the fullest!

“I’ve found a formula for avoiding these exaggerated fears of age; you take care of every day – let the calendar take care of the years.”    Ed Wynn