Having a hard time keeping a smiling face today...just one of those "is it my bedtime yet" kind of days. When times like this hit, I like to remind myself of all the reasons I have to smile. Here are a few:
1. Hearing Caleb say, "You go girl!" every time Katie uses the potty
2. Seeing Katie talk to herself in the mirror
3. Seeing the kids and their imaginations and creativity explode. In this picture, Alaina shows off some presents she gathered up and wrapped for Elly -- Caleb's green stuffed elephant. Yep, that's right. A few weeks ago they declared it Elly's birthday and they gave him gifts and we even ate cake!
4. Since Caleb's "special item" is his green stuffed elephant, Katie has attributed the name "Elly" to any special item. Therefore, her pink blankie is also called Elly. And Levi's monkey blanket is called Elly. And Alaina's striped blanket is called Elly. So at bedtime it gets rather confusing when someone says they are looking for Elly.
5. Caleb -- my sweet little boy -- is not so little anymore. After Church on Sunday, rather than playing on the playground with the other preschool aged kids, he declared he was going to "play soccer with the boys." He's growing up. But he'll still be my goofy little guy, and that makes me smile.
6. Imagination often makes a mess, but the results are worth it. Jason set up a huge tent in the living room where the kids slept and the next morning they hung up rope so they "could do the laundry and hang the clothes out to dry."
7. That Caleb calls Levi and Katie "the littles." Don't know where he came up with that name. But every day I hear, "The littles did this" or "the littles did that."
8. Watching "the littles" dance. Actually, during Bible time at school we always listen to a song and all four of them get up to dance.
9. That we have fresh flowers in our yard year round
10. That God cares about the little, seemingly insignificant things
11. Yesterday the kids told me they had a surprise for me. I came into the school room where they had a "meal" for me, complete with Oreos, orange juice, and fresh flowers. Lucky, aren't I?
12. There was also a sign on the wall for me
13. Alaina decided that she needed to craft stuff out so she could make Valentine's for all the girls in her creative worship dance group. She's loving all the Valentines goodies that grandma sent!
14. Eleven years ago today Jason slipped this ring on my finger and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.
15. I said yes.
Beautiful pictures!! Who couldn't smile looking at that lovely art from their children who obviously adore them!
Posted by: Shelby | February 10, 2010 at 08:32 PM
Happy Anniversary! Beautiful family, love reading about your experiences.
Posted by: Daisy | February 10, 2010 at 10:23 PM
yay! beautiful ring.
we have those funny red hangy-downy flowers too... do you know what they're called?
my husband is away this week and so I too have had to be consciously thankful :) I posted about it monday.
amy in peru
http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com
Posted by: Amy in Peru | February 11, 2010 at 02:22 PM
Beautiful pictures! Love your blog reading lately! I know I don't comment all that often, but I am reading and getting some great ideas from it! You are doing great - keep it up! I was just thinking about taking a picture of my wedding ring - so funny that you posted this here! I think it's another great thing to document!
Posted by: MandaKay | February 12, 2010 at 02:24 AM
The 14th and 15th really touched my heart.. :) congrats and may the love grows bigger and bigger in you and by the love of God..
Posted by: Kitty Chen | March 09, 2010 at 07:41 PM