I'm thankful for...

How cute is this print by laura george?

When I ran across this print the other day it actually reminded me of Elle and Gwen's sweet prayers they say before bed. They literally ramble off everything they can possibly think of each night that they are thankful for. The things they whisper are usually the simple things that I take for granted each day. I am thankful for my little girls who remind me daily to be thankful (especially for the little things.)

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend. Here's my Gwen in her Indian Costume she made in preschool. We spent Thanksgiving at my sister Megan's home and Gwen made sure that I packed this for the big day. We had a moment where there were tears because the pink feather was lost but I found it just in time (Phew!) The weekend was spent playing with cousins, swimming, sleeping in an indoor tent, eating and lots of lounging. Perfect.

The Little Things

Here's my pie-pie diving for toys. She has been known to fall completely in and get stuck with her legs straight up in the air. Luckily I have been close by on those occasions to rescue her. I can't stand how big she is getting. Such a big girl these days. While driving today I was reaching my hand back for Elle to hand me something and Lily (whose carseat is directly behind the drivers seat) grabbled my finger with her little hand. It was totally unexpected and unbelievably adorable. She had my finger grasped so tightly and each time I pulled my hand back she would start to cry. I couldn't let go. I drove like that for the rest of my carpool run. It was just too cute. Being surrounded by little kids all day everyday is tiring but so rewarding. Little things like chubby little feet sticking straight out of our toy bucket and driving around with my baby's hand tightly holding mine are exactly the things I never, ever want to forget.

Love her...

My Elle has a heart of gold. She is sweet and sensitive. The sensitivity causes some issues at times but I think as she grows up it will become her biggest strength. Tonight as we were lying in bed she said, "mama, I know I don't act like it outside my body sometimes but I really love you a lot inside my body. a lot. even higher than the sky, space and heaven." It was such a sweet way to hear her put her feelings into words. She then told me that she wants to be just like me when she grows up. She said, "I've decided to grow my hair long and to wear jeans, flip-flops, gold bracelets and cardigans every day." Too funny! I love this sweet girl.

She's Walking!

This little love bug started walking on her own just a few days before Halloween. Here she is on our front porch this morning feeling very independent. There is something so sweet about watching your baby take her first steps. It never gets old. Lily-pie just cruises around our house now like it's no big deal. I happen to think it is a big deal and very, very cute.

Good Morning

This morning I found my 3 girls wrapped in a quilt on the stairs watching cartoons. That stair location is their favorite tv viewing spot. They were all snuggled up together in their pajamas (how funny is gwen's bed-head) and it really was so cute. I love these little girls and I am so glad they have each other.

Risk Takers

"There is no greater risk than matrimony.

but there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."

--benjamin disraeli, 1870

I love Jon. The best part however is that I really, really like him too. I'm glad we took the risk.

Happy Halloween

There's a new Sheriff in town...

In keeping with our "western" theme this year, Lily went as a Sheriff for Halloween. I couldn't look at her without laughing. The cutest thing was that you could tell she felt as cute as she looked. She's a keeper.

Happy Halloween

Elle and Gwen were cowgirls this year. Their stick horses made galloping sounds when you pushed a little button on the horses' ears. The toy guns and holsters provided a full week's worth of entertainment. They had those things on all day, everyday and would chase after pretend rattlesnakes, coyotes and raccoons (I'm not just making this up) in our house. Gwen learned to yell, "yeeha!" and Elle's favorite line was "howdy partner!" They each filled their plastic pumpkins to the brim with candy. Jon and I woke up the next morning to both of them sitting on our bed with their pumpkin buckets in their laps chomping away (I have sticky marks all over our white quilt to prove it). If you're not having candy for breakfast on November 1st then I just don't know if we can be friends. It's a must. The end to a very fun Halloween.