moments

 life's little precious moments seem a little more dear this week.

i don't want to be over-dramatic... we are all well and whole.

but the fragility of life hit close to home this past week.

in the bottom row of instagrams is a picture of cara swinging that daniel took when he walked the girls to the park one evening. an hour later my darling family was nearly hit by an erratic (possibly intoxicated) driver. three feet (and ultimately, the Lord's protection) made all the difference. a piece of his car hit the stroller... on my cara's side. another pedestrian was killed.

thank you, Lord, for preserving my sweet family. i don't deserve any good thing, and yet, in your grace, you have given me three such wonderful gifts.

- hippo pool - "hi" - my smiley gal - hand holding -

- can't wait to make salsa out of these little guys - sick and snuggly - starbucks date at target - walking -

- waiting for daddy at the airport - little mountain climber - blooms - happy hour -

- pj's run - elli's fish fry -morning snuggles - longing for heaven -

- shades - first medal - my sweetheart - another one bites the dust -

 

Little Ballerina

Since her third birthday, I have been amazed at the growth in Elli's imagination.  She's using her closet for her house; holding a "school" for her buddies; and having a dance party with Daddy in character as Beauty and the Beast.  (This is my favorite, because her Daddy puts on a suit jacket and plays along.  Precious!)  She is almost constantly dressed up as a princess or moo-moo or ladybug.  

Or my personal favorite - a little ballerina.  

She twirls. She spins.

She loves her little tutu and slippers.

I think she fancies herself Angelina Ballerina.

Every twirl has a wind-up.

She is a sweet and silly sister-ballerina.

 A sassy Rule-Keeper. "Mommy, no stand on that!"

 And this little face is pure joy, but she tries to hide the smile.  Something that is so uniquely hers.

Keep twirling, little girl!

Full

Life is full right now. In a good way, I think.  Full of relationships, hard work, and planning.  The healthy kind of busy that forces us to reevaluate and prioritize our time, to dig deep into every moment we're given. 

 There's some "stepping out of the boat" kinda things going on around here.  We are exercising our faith in new ways, reciting Philippians 4:4-9 to our hearts multiple times a day; being stretched beyond what's comfortable.  Nothing impressive or earth-shattering, but valuable, nonetheless.

 We're having new and important conversations with Elli about Jesus, about sin, about grace.  Which brings us to have new and important conversations with our heavenly Father about Jesus, about sin, about grace. 

We are teaching how to pray and learning how to pray.  We are changing and growing and overwhelmed.  We are embracing it. Trusting in His goodness, confident that "He will do it."  

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

 

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

vs.5

Glory

 As we left my grandfather's funeral, we witnessed the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.  I wish I had the photographic skills to capture how awesome it was.  The central ray of light you see was even more brilliant than it appears here.  How good of God to remind me that my grandfather is experiencing even more glory in heaven.  What a gift!

Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:7-11 

 

Grandpa

Above the door frame in my grandparents' home is a decorative board with a painting of a house.  Underneath that house there are painted three words: Faith, Family, and Friends.  These three words represent the priorities my grandparents chose for their home.  

Grandpa Gene passed away without warning on Friday, December 30.  Unexpected as it was, we have all thanked God for the mercy He showed in bringing Grandpa home without suffering.  Just a few days earlier, almost the whole family had all gathered to celebrate Christmas together.  Grandpa was his usual self - telling stories, playing with all the little kiddos, and showing kindness to all.

Grandpa and Grandma with all their grandchildren minus one.

I am so thankful that my two little girls got to be loved on by Grandpa Gene.  He was so pleased to be able to make them laugh, and no one could do bird whistles like Grandpa.

A few days later, some of our family drove down to the farm to do some shooting, and as my dad says - he was in his element: family, the farm, shooting and overalls.

My Uncle Jeff, Michael, Elli and Grandpa. And don't worry - this was just for the photo.  Elli did not want to wear the ear protectors, so she didn't get to shoot.  :)

As I said, Grandpa loved little kids and knew how to make them happy.  :)  Also note his wedding band.  He wore it for 62 years and never took it off.

Grandpa was committed to the things he believed were most important: faith, family, and friends; and what a legacy he has left behind him.  He will be greatly missed!

Three

Okay, I couldn't even type in the title of this post without tearing up, and I'm really not a crier.  Oh dear, this is only going to get worse, isn't it?

My sweet Elle-belle, 

Today you are three, which just seems impossible.  You're no longer my little baby and part of me kinda misses your bubbly little infant-self, but at the same time, I'm totally digging your energetic, hilarious toddler-self as well.  You make every stage so fun!  In a later post, I'm going to let you tell us more about who you are at three years old, but here are a few moments from this past year that I don't want to forget:

• This year was monumental in your life for one simple reason: you opened up your heart to little Caroline and became the world's best big sister.  Seeing your eyes light up the moment you saw her (and how you patted your knees, saying, "Right here." because you wanted to hold her) will be one of my most treasured memories.  But the thing that really gets me is that you still light up when you see her!  You are so excited to come with me to wake her up from naps, and you are so delighted to spend your days with her.
• If I could bottle up every thing you say, I totally would.  Your vocabulary and clarity have increased astronomically this year, and I just adore all your precious toddler thoughts.  Beyond the content, you have way of saying things that is all your own.  Sometimes I think you sound like you are bilingual (although, sadly you are not), because you will say things like "the house de me."  Your 's's tend to sound like 'sh', which can make for some pretty funny moments (for example - "I sitting on the potty), but also make for some adorable words like "shweeming."  And finally, I can't get enough of how you say Christmas - it sounds like "Tritmush." 
• As I watch videos from earlier this year, I am struck by how fluid and kid-like your movements are now.  You add in extra spins and kicks just because you can, and your little strut is just hilarious.  We have a lot of dance parties at our house, and girl - you have got some moves!  Those are undoubtedly from your daddy. 
• One thing you get from both of us is your love of arts and crafts.  (I should clarify - the arts are from Daddy, the crafts are from me... I lay no claim to artistic ability whatsoever, but I love me a glue gun!)  You will spend the longest time coloring or painting, and you are never happier than when we do a craft project together.  Your projects are usually intended by your own choice for someone, although Mommy is not terribly consistent about mailing them to the recipients.  :) 
• Recently in BSF, you heard the story of Jesus ascending into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, and you've been fascinated by this ever since.  Often, when we talk about praying to Jesus, you will beg to go "up in da sky and seeeeeee Him!!!"  I hope and pray your desire to see and know your loving Maker will always be this strong!  

I could go on and on.  You bring our family so much joy and laughter; you are a kind and loving daughter and friend.  Your daddy and I feel so blessed to have you as our firstborn daughter, our family's big sister, and our little friend and companion.  God is so good!

Love you so much.
Mommy
!

Pretty Sweet

Things are changing quickly around here.  Caroline is sitting up pretty well all by herself, and she is becoming my little scooter bug!  The best part about her new found mobility is that now she and Elli are truly beginning to play together.  Or at least side by side.

Of course, all of Elli's long forgotten baby toys are suddenly the coolest things ever, so we are having a lot of conversations about kindness and sharing around here.

Even with these new challenges, Elli continues to be the sweetest big sister, always watching out for her little sis and showing lots of affection.  I love these precious sisters!

Speaking of Getting Big...

 My first baby is nearing three years of age, can you believe it?  I can not.  She's still got baby soft skin and remnants of those pinch-me-please rolls, but the truth is, every day the little girl in her blossoms a bit more.
Her favorite words right now are, "I do it, Mommy!"  And the cool part is?  Most of the time she does.  She puts on her own shoes, buckles half of her car seat, and likes to choose her own clothes.

 She loves to twirl around in her frilliest dresses, although her favorite is the "purtle choo-choo dress" (purple tutu dress -- it took Daniel and I a while to figure that one out!).  She is constantly pretending things, like her "camera" below, and having imaginary conversations with any and all of her toys.  The current favorite is her robot that Daddy built out of duplos and her toy vacuum.  Yup.  She carries the vacuum around the house with her, talks to it, feeds it, disciplines it.  Never a dull moment around here.

Elli continues to embrace being a big sister!  She was thrilled that Caroline was going to be sleeping in the same room with her.  Every morning she greets her baby sister with, "Dood mornin' shweet durl!" and a hug and kiss. Daniel and I feel so blessed to have Elli as our daughter.  She keeps us hopping for sure, but she adds so much laughter and sweetness to our family.

Evening

Last night was just one of those nights.  One of those slow, sweet evenings... when the air cools down and the light gets soft, and we simply enjoyed being together.  Daniel had to work a little bit late, so we grabbed the sidewalk chalk and a quilt for the baby and waited for him.

We met a new neighbor, and Elli spent a good ten minutes shooting the breeze with another neighbor and his dog.  She invited him to come to her new house and see her. He laughed and loved every minute of it. We drew lots of pictures (see Jonah inside the whale?), played hopscotch (well, sort of), and Elli pretended to be several different animals.  She even stood on her tip-toes like a giraffe and tried to eat leaves off the tree.  The whole time was just lovely, but my personal favorite was seeing how much these two girlies love each other.  Caroline just adores her big sister, which you can see in how she looks at her.  And that superwoman move?  She starts doing that when Elli is moving in her direction.

I also traced around Elli with the chalk (several times).  She then traced around me, and I wish you could see it better, but my "body" takes up about a fourth of our driveway. She was so proud of herself!

We continued to play well after the sun went down.  When I could have taken them inside and started baths and picking up toys; I held on a little closer to my baby and played a little harder with my chalk-covered daughter.  We stayed outside until their daddy rolled in the driveway.  Caroline fell asleep on my chest, her sweet little nose nestled into my neck.  I soaked up every precious snuggle.

Family Time

 A few weeks ago we spent a Saturday together as a family.  We've been working on the house on the weekends lately, so it was nice to just be together for a day.  In the morning we drove to the farmer's market before it got too hot.  I got to carry this little sweetie and play with her tosies.  I love baby feet!

Elli was fascinated by the flamingo statues.

 Even Ginger joined us for our outing!

After coming home for lunch and naps, we "borrowed" our neighbor's swimming pool.  

Elli rocked the life jacket (since we didn't have arm floaties) and practiced blowing bubbles.

Caroline chilled on the side for most of it, but she enjoyed being in the water as well.  Ginger was a little confused.  Yup... that's our dead backyard on the other side of the fence.  Thank you worst drought ever.

Elli loved "dunking" her daddy.

She got brave towards the end and jumped off the edge.

Splash! What a sweet, end of summer Saturday!

Rest

Our church celebrated its one year anniversary in June, and we are anticipating our new pastor's arrival in August.  My maternity leave will end mid-August, and if all goes as planned, we will also be moving to a morning service soon.  Lots of change coming up for our Sundays!

Mostly I'm looking forward to it, but I will miss our sweet Sunday mornings.  I love that we can wake up (no later than usual, of course, but what can you do?), sip our coffee, go for a walk or run, linger in our pjs, make pancakes, etc. 

We have so loved these slow, restful mornings... but I'm looking forward to lazy Sunday afternoons, too!

These two are best buds.

Elli's hugs can be kind of intense, but she is doing a really good job of controlling her affection.

Oh, I love this sweet girl.  Daniel took this picture, and we love it because that is a genuine Elli smile.  No cheese here.

A little cheese here...

I can't handle that sad face!

Fortunately it never stays around long.

Saturday

What a great day.

Sure, there were errands and laundry and vacuuming.

But in between all the stuff that got crossed off my to-do list were moments of pure fun and togetherness that just made my heart swell with joy!  (That's sunscreen on Elli's eyebrow - she likes to put it on herself.)  And speaking of things she wants to do herself - Elli picked out our shade of nail polish.  Love those little feetsies!

 This little one got to spend lots of quality time with her Daddy.

And, I think it might be time to get a bigger pool for this not-so-little-anymore one.

  Because she absolutely loves playing in the water.

At least, until it gets in her eyes.

Which is why we keep a towel close by.  We're working on it.  

Here's to many more Saturdays spent like this!