Anna

One of my favorite things right now is this: Anna walking over to me, smiling and giggling at me and laying her head down on my leg, then lifting her head, giggling, giving me kisses and walking away. I can blow my nose and she will giggle. I can look at her and smile, and she will giggle. I can look at her and tell her "no," and she will giggle. I love it, love her, love the gift that these sort of moments are. And seriously, how can I not smile back when this is what I get to see?

What are the things in your life that make you smile?

2009 Christmas Card Photo

Today was the only free Saturday that I have all month long, so we decided today would be the perfect day to shoot the photo for this year's Christmas card. :) Because the park happens to be one of our favorite places to hang out I decided that would be where I would shoot this year's portrait. I let the girls do what they naturally would with just a little bit of guidance from me, and then I just let them have fun while I shot some photos. And voila, drum roll please, introducing this year's Christmas card photo. :)

I know what you all are going to say. I know; they do look so much like me, don't they? Ha. They are adorable, and I would think so even if I were not their mom, but I am, and I am biased. Who isn't?

Now, have you had family portraits done yet? If not, it is not too late to book your session. :)

Clouds

I know that I wrote a post awhile back on how I taught my daughter Ariana the fine art of cloud gazing. ;) As silly as it may sound, I find it so incredibly relaxing to sit or lie down and stare up at the sky. As a child I would look for hidden shapes and think about how fun I imagined it to be to be able to hang out on the clouds—of course, I also imagined that they were made out of the yummiest cotton candy in the whole world. Yeah, science totally ruined that one for me. However, I have never stopped being intrigued by the clouds, sunsets, and storms—both their beauty and their intensity.

Today the clouds really impressed me both for how rapidly they where moving about the sky and because of the diversity in their colors. The intense dark with the light and fluffy makes a super cool contrast in my humble opinion. I find it an awesome reminder too of just how much there is out there that is bigger then me.

Have you taken any time to relax today? I know I enjoyed it. :)

Nana Flower and Emily Coloring

I think that grandparents can be some of the biggest blessings in the whole world to both grandchildren and their kids. Greg and I are so incredibly blessed to have two wonderful sets of parents, his and mine.

Today my mother came over to help out with our kids for a while, and man did I appreciate that. :) I came out into our living room to this image. It was so funny and adorable to watch as Emily gave instructions to my mom on how she thought she should best color her page. Watching the two of them interact cracks me up sometimes. And man, who knew how seriously my mom could take her coloring? ;)

Thanks, Mom, for your help today. I know the kids loved it, and so did I.

The Sort of Photo That You Get When You Leave the Lens Cap On

In an attempt to keep this real, I will be totally honest and say that today I've got nothing. I've got nothing witty to say, nothing to share, and nothing profound to offer.

It is one of those days that has come from an accumulation of things going wrong (or not the way that I thought they should) and me not doing a good job with my balancing/letting go skills. It has been one of those weeks where certain family members have tried my last nerve, my best efforts have failed me, my children are not behaving, and there doesn't seem to be enough money to cover all of the "unexpected" surprises for the month. It has been an "I can't believe my child wracked up a $530 phone bill, we really have to replace that now, could the kids please stop tantrumming, left the lens cap on, and could I have an extra dose of wisdom" sort of week.

I am frustrated and discouraged. I feel like if I were a country singer I could turn this into a really good country western song, but I am not. I am wiped. In a society that values me putting on a plastic face instead of admitting what feels like at least a temporary defeat I fear this knowledge may surprise you. But maybe you too have had this sort of day and can relate to my plight.

Regardless, I am thankful for a God who continues to remind me that I was not created to carry the burdens of this life on my own and accepts me and loves me just where I am. Now, if I could just get good at letting go of the control I so desperately fight for... :)

Anna Having Some Free Time

Baby Rule #4: All diaper wearers are entitled to moderate amounts of daily "free time." Come on, don't act like you had no idea what was under those little diapered buns! ;) Anna really likes her "free time." In fact, she throws an all-out tantrum when that time comes to an end and she must be re-diapered and clothed again. She must take after her father on that one. Just kidding, sorta. :)

I love how completely care free babies are, and I understand that I too had my streaker days—and then I had my second birthday, and that came to a halt. Ha.

It's funny how our idea of "free time" changes as we grow older, or maybe it doesn't for some of you. Now my idea of "free time" means no children, by myself, enjoying a good book and a yummy cup of coffee or tea.

What is your idea of "free time"?