Blessed

Sammy has always had a tight bond with Callie.  As an infant, Callie could sense Sammy's seizures before they hit.  They played together.  Attacked each other.  Cuddled together.  And slept in the same room together for many years.  Since we've lived in this new house, the kids have each had their own bedroom, but Callie asks to sleep in Sammy's room so they can have sleep-overs together.  It's something she looks forward to...being with her sister.  She loves Sammy for who she is, and likes being with her.  Callie is spunky, full of energy...never a dull moment.  She's very passionate, has strong opinions, and her presence demands an audience.  She's super social, making friends where ever she goes.  She is strong, but can be gentle.  She is outspoken, but can demonstrate restraint.  She's adventurous, but also cautious before she leaps.  She brings me so much joy.  Callie has been my pal for quite some time.  It took many years before Micah came along.  We spent days laughing together.  And we even cried together when one of the adoptions fell through before Micah.  She is thoughtful and constantly is giving toys away to her friends!  She is my sunshine.

Micah is an angel.  He is smart, active, cuddly, and a basketball pro in the making.  We waited a long time for Micah.  At times I was discouraged, and just plain sad.  There were 3 different babies we thought were going to be in our family.  Three separate times our hearts were broken.  But then, Micah.  And it all seemed right...the way it was supposed to be.  He is funny, creative, and tender.  He loves his sisters, adores his daddy, and clings to his mommy...and Grandpa...Grandpa is his best friend.  Micah, this one tiny little boy, has brought so much love into our lives.  The other night, Micah said his first prayer.  It was not only adorable, but it warmed my heart.  Perhaps he's too young to say, but I do believe he has the gift of faith...of believing.  I have had this sense about him before, and when he said that tiny little prayer, I felt it.  It's just a feeling.  And hopefully as he grows, we will continue to teach him and he will know the right source to get the answers he needs.  He is a light in our home.

Samantha has been blessed with two siblings who love her, take care of her, and will forever...forever...be there with her.  As we wait for our next child, I sit back with gratitude in my heart for what we have today.

We are blessed.  

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Suffice it to say that I loved this book.  The only Jane Austen I have read is Pride and Prejudice, a novel with its well-deserved accolades.  I decided it was time to read more of her work...not just watch the movies.  There was no real literary reason why I chose Persuasion over any of her other works.  It just happened that way.  And each evening was a delight.

It's easy to find a summary online about this book.  It's a love story, a wonderful love story...as described by others, the classic Cinderella story.  Anne Elliot is past her prime at the ripe old age of 28.  And it seems that she is so often overlooked...loved by her family, of course.  But overlooked nonetheless.  She is old.  She is past the age to be married, have a family.  I love the writing of this time, but am grateful I don't live in it!

One Reason Callie Loves the Trampoline

Sammy's hair makes her laugh pretty hard

3 Points for Warm Weather

When it's hot, it's hot.  And uncomfortable.  And can be really intolerable at times.  But, we're not there yet.  And we have been enjoying us some time in our little kiddie pool.

I think each of the kids give this warm/slightly hot/ok, really hot weather 1 point.  Way to go hot weather.  Somehow, we're able to all stay cool and happy anyway.

Or maybe, maybe it's not the weather who should score all the points...maybe it's the water!

I hope no therapists are seeing the way Sammy is sitting.  I know!  It's bad.  But she was moving around, I swear.  She wasn't sitting like that the whole time.

Is Micah about to pounce?

Drying off

Yep, Sammy got him in the face

Love Being Mom

I love being a mom.  I really do.  I know I'm not great at it, but I do ok.  There are times when I surprise myself and feel like, wow, I handled that really well!  But a majority of the time I'm reminding myself how to do it better...how I should have done it...how I ought to do it next time.  I often fall short of my ideal.  And I am in awe that I've been entrusted with such pure, amazing little people.  I am so grateful and humbled that I have the honor of raising such wonderful children.  And hopefully, hopefully, I don't fail them.  And I'm grateful I had a mother who was such a great example to me of how to lead, teach, and nurture my children so that they can truly feel how much I love them.  Do I do it right all the time?  No.  But I have a good model I try to follow.  Thanks Mom.

This weekend has been a mother's dream!  Friday I attended a Mommy & Me Tea in Callie's class.  There was a great little program and yes, tears came to my eyes as she sang her little song and looked right at me when she bellowed out "I looooove you."  She's not much into performance in the typical way...she gets very shy and doesn't like to be looked at, gets embarrassed...but there's a smile she tries to hide.  She's too cool, already.  And I love her.

Saturday was Birth Mother's Day and Micah and I spent it with Lindsey.  Words can't adequately express my deep love for her and it was great to spend our Saturday together.  

Me and Lindsey

Lindsey, Me, Cindy
Ready to go out for breakfast/lunch to celebrate each other

Lindsey and Micah

And then today, Mother's Day.  I was greeted with breakfast in bed...Cheerios and banana.  A wonderful day at church.  An afternoon with a long phone call with my mom...a back scratch from Callie served with cut up apples and peanut butter and her adorable toothless smile...and dinner with Grammy.  

Me, Peggy, Granny, Annie, Megan

All in all, it was a great Mother's Day.  And though I do fall short too often, wow, I love being Mom.