Today, August 11, 2013.

Before church.....

 ...jumping up to get the leaves.

T & M

It has been a struggle since Day 1 to monitor Tate and Maylie.  He loves her so much and wishes he could just hug and kiss her all day.  But often he's not as gentle as he should be, and Maylie has learned to avoid him or start screaming when he comes close.

But little by little we're making progress.  Tate does a quick count to 5 when he gives her a "soft" hug and she seems to tolerate this a little better.  This is an example of one of those moments.  It was perfect.  And she was happy, and he was happy, and for a moment I could smile and relax.

And the other day, Maylie started a new hobby--giving hugs.  All morning she would come up to me and give me a big sweet hug.  But at one point, after she finished her hug with me, she ran over to Tate who was watching at the windowsill, wrapped her arms around him, and gave him the sweetest hug I've ever seen.  It was the first hug she's ever given Tate--and Tate's look of sheer surprise and absolute delight could have melted an ice cap.  It was one of the most tender things I've ever witnessed, a moment I won't soon forget.

E & M

There's always been something special between these two...

They've always been so close.

It warms my hear to see how much Easton loves his little sister....and how much he does for her.

He plays with her, takes care of her, protects her, watches out for her, talks to her, laughs with her, makes her smile when she is sad, and patiently lets her play with him to her heart's content (even if it means she climbs on him or pokes his nose or roughs his hair or anything else she decides to attempt.)  And she loves him for it.

There has always been a special bond between them, and I can't wait to watch their friendship blossom as they grow.

Playing in the Snow.

Just a few days before Christmas, we finally had a real snowfall.  It didn't last too long, but the boys, who had been begging and pleading to play outside for the whole week, were thrilled with the little bit we received.

Summer Excursions.

Last week we managed to squeeze in two family vacations.  First we went to Lagoon with the Greene's and later in the week we went camping with the Johnsons.

I didn't take many pictures because I forgot my camera at Lagoon and then it ran out of battery in the mountains.  But it doesn't matter; the pictures are all in my head--perfectly preserved.

Watching my little boys' faces as they ventured on the rides was indescribable.  Indescribably indescribable.  The wonder, the delight, the excitement, the sheer joy that radiated from their little faces brings tears to my eyes as I remember.  It was the best trip to Lagoon I have ever had. 

I took this with Patrick's phone

Then camping brought adventures and hikes and games around the campfire.  The boys loved this too.  So much.  And I did too....for the first time in my life.

I just can't wait for next summer.  Because I know that the two vacations on the very top of my to-do list will be Lagoon and Camping.

Oh, my heart is already nostalgic and it hurts now that summer is winding down.  Everything is going to change this Fall with Easton starting school and my little ones growing up so fast....

Oh summer, I know you must leave, but please linger a little longer.  I need every single moment.

Miss Muffin

It's my new nickname for Maylie Grace.  And it fits perfectly, don't you agree?

I began a "Treasure Box" tradition with little Maylie that I found on Pinterest.  Everyday objects that are baby-safe offer a magical appeal to babies who are learning to explore the world around them.  Just find a basket, fill it up with ordinary objects (baby-safe of course) and interchange the objects every few days.  Maylie has loved the treasures.

And I wish I could have a nickel for every time Easton has been there for Maylie to comfort her, feed her, hold her, play with her, sing to her, make her laugh...He is the sweetest older brother to Miss Muffin, and every time he comes near, she lights up all smiley.

Dear Miss Muffin,

I can't believe you are nearly 7 months old.  The past few weeks have been ever so eventful.  A new tooth on your bottom right, learning to laugh, starting your very first reaches for me to hold you, baby food which you can't help but smear all over your whole face and hands.  You are pure joy and my heart lights up each time I go in to pick you up after a nap.  I am trying to treasure you each minute and hold you and cuddle you and kiss your chubby little cheeks before you grow up any more.  Most days I wish you could stay my little baby girl forever.

I guess you always can, in my heart...

love you, little one.

love,
mommy

The Day after Christmas

When I wandered into the living room and found Easton and Tate and Patrick all building with the new K'nex, I smiled inside.  I could see in my mind's eye, many more such moments in the Christmases to come.  Of father helping sons build their new toys, and in the process, build their relationships.

How is it that each new day something small and miraculous happens that takes my breath away?

Life is so very good.  And always full of wonder, if we know how to look.

Pile of Leaves

Oh, what enchantment lies just under the surface of a golden pile of crackling leaves.

Sunday Afternoon.

This is the scene I viewed as time floated serenely along.

Best Buds.

With Daddy...

Life ebbs and flows and we struggle to complete and accomplish without giving in to the constant temptation of busyness.

When school rolls around again, I always know Patrick will be so much busier and that "our time with Daddy" will be put on hold.  But as Patrick expressed one night, life will always be busy.  Even when school is over for him, he will have a job and callings and always much to do.  Busyness should not be a catch-all excuse for the time missed with growing-up children.

And he determined to do something about it.

He worked and prayed to find a solution, and now a miracle has occurred.

From my eyes I see a man who gets up long before the sun rises.  He gets ready, spends time with the Lord in scripture study and prayer, and then whisks himself off to school at 7:30 very morning--even when he doesn't have class until 1:00.  Then he studies and learns and writes all day, striving to complete as much "schoolwork" as possible on campus.  

 

He comes home around 4:00 every afternoon and devotes the rest of his day to his sons and then his evening to his wife.  He plays with his boys--bikes, 4-wheelers, Mario Kart, Candyland, iPod or computer games, hide-and-seek, the list goes on and on.  After dinner he bathes the boys and we work to put them to bed in order to have an evening just for us.

He doesn't receive a reward for any of these things...except maybe extra hugs from me...and a growing adoration from the boys.  When I asked Easton the person he loved so very much that he would want to perform an act of kindness for, he promptly replied, "Daddy."

Maybe in the world's eyes it isn't much, but in my eyes, my sweetheart is truly my hero.

Life is still ebbing and flowing...so much smoother now and I marvel to see us move along, peacefully growing harmony in our home.