Small blog posts with greater love.

My blogs lately have become more of a "photo book" of my children instead of real substance that I, my children, or anybody who still comes here can go to read what's really going on up in my brain.
I first started to blog my family and how it all started. And might I add, it was the most beautiful start to my family that I ever could have imagined (gulp).
My early blogging was total inspirations of the heart and I believe, furthermore, of the Holy Spirit.
I need to reach back to that place and put "the good stuff" on this blog that my children can run to and read to see what Momma would say about certain things- things that matter. If there is one thing i have learned, life is so short. You hear people say that all the time, but after losing my Hope and Gracie, witnessing one of my best friends lose her young beautiful sister and then all the beautiful people whose lives I have encountered over the past three years who love, love, and continue to love through tragedy.... I need to make things like this blog count.
So be prepared for more depth.
"Not all of us can so great things. But we can do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa

"I DO IT"

Maria has entered into a new phase of her life. She is now into the phase of picking out her own clothes and dressing herself.
Most nights she is begging me to "take shirt off" and "put dwess o-on" (her tutus) this is also accompanied by a forty minute dance party to Dora, the Fresh Beat Band and the anything on Pandora.
One particular evening she was all in a fit about getting a new outfit on and putting it on herself. She picked out her own pants and shirt and spent FOREVER trying to get the shirt on. She put it on upside down and could not figure out how to get it right.
When she can't get something right she has the funniest temper. She screams, "STOP!" (Yelling at the shirt) and "I DO IT!! I DO IT! I DO IIIIIIIIT!" (still yelling at the shirt)

She finally let me help her with it. She looks in the mirror, scolds her shirt, breaths heavily through her nose like a bull about to charge and then says, "see! I did it".... More heavy breathing.
...
Joseph and I sit buried in toys watching all this to down.

I love these kids.

If only...

If only I could keep you this age for the rest of your life...
If only you knew how funny you are with your hilarious vocabulary and the faces you create...
If only you realized how smart you are with every thought you put together and problem you solve...
If only I could hug and kiss you one more time before you don't want me to anymore....
If only you knew how much you amaze me with the things you perceive and then relay back to me with concern, joy or love...
If only dear daughter you only knew...
Then you would know how much I ardently, whole heartedly and infinitely love you.
Thank you Jesus, for my children who teach me to relish the beauty in the small things and be thankful for each moment.

Seven months.

Little fella turned seven months two days ago and as a little celebration I treated him to some new fun food!!!
CHEERIOS!
Of course I am a nervous momma and chopped the Cheerios into a million little peices.
But he had a great time trying to pick them up and put them in his mouth!
Not to shabby with the sippy either!
I'm impressed.

Big bed

Well Maria, welcome to the "big bed" stage.

Daddy and I decided it was time to transition you into a big bed. And to be honest I am more scared about it than you can imagine. The fact that this little ounce of freedom we are giving you means you could roam free at night or walk to our bedroom in the morning or just not stay in bed at bedtime TERRIFIES me. What happened to you just being my baby? What happened me putting you in the baby jail crib and you being too nervous nelly to dare climb out of it!!!?? Ahh, I can already tell those were the days!
This bed is a special bed, though. Your daddy has been talking about this bed since you were born. It's part of a set of fire engine beds that your daddy and uncles slept in while growing up. And he couldn't wait to share this with you and Joseph. I wish you could see how his face lit up when you crawled in it for the first time. He was so proud you loved it!
I know it's not the girliest of beds. But that doesn't matter. It's still beautiful, FULL of sentimental value and will do the job!
I don't know what it will be like training you how to stay in this bed and not fall out, but I am willing to try!
I am so proud of you baby girl! Uhem, I mean big girl. I love you my sweet darling daughter.