Life.

It's been a full week of little moments.




Like.....realizing my daughter is taking on a few extra independent tasks in her day, such as getting herself dressed in the morning and brushing her own teeth. These are things she used to need me for, but now can do on her own. I'm trying so hard to soak it all in. To feel that excitement that she's growing and learning, but also that bittersweetness of letting go.



"Isn't this leaf so beautiful, momma?"





And trying to figure out how to keep up with my mischievous son. This week, he's given me a few little moments worth remembering. Such as...

Pouring a half gallon of milk on the couch.....
Plugging the iron in while I wasn't looking and setting it face down on the carpet....
Taking his diaper off and pooping all over his room including several books... super awesome.
Laying stiff as a board across his car seat so it's impossible to buckle him in....
Figuring out how to open the child-proof bottle of Flintstones Vitamins....

The fun never ends.






But on those tough days when I whine to M that I'd like to clock out for the day, I'm always thankful that I had pulled my camera out and captured something little during our hours together.


Seashells carefully placed in a row.



Learning about dental hygiene at school.



It's impossible to keep matching gloves in this house.








I snuck a peek inside the Fort.




A nature walk with buckets to collect treasure.









This photo adequately sums up my life at the moment.
My first born, smiling and obedient, staying close to me..... "I love taking walks with you Mommy."
My second born, running away from me as fast as he possibly can..... "Peace out Ma."


I am blessed to have them both. :)





Linking up with Andi!


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Breakfast Banana Splits

The kids loved this.




I first saw this idea here, but I decided to put my own spin on it. I used Raspberry Chobani yogurt, strawberries, walnuts and powdered sugar.

Easy & Fun!


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five on friday

{five things from our week}

It's been sort of an emotional week just dealing with the everyday frustrations of raising a very strong-willed 2-year-old! Blogging hasn't been a top priority lately. I'm just out of words and energy lately. But here are just a few randoms from our week...




{1} Watching for Daddy with his tool belt on and power drill in hand.





{2} Remembering how much I miss painting with watercolors. Sooooo fun and relaxing to do this with AF in the afternoons.





{3} The best Valentine's gift evah. Hubs knows me so well.






{4} Bandaids from four, yes FOUR vaccinations at her 4-year checkup. Let me tell you something.... if you think taking your sweet little newborn for shots is tough, just wait until you have to take your very well-aware 4-year-old who can't understand why in the world I would torture her this way.





{5} Does anyone else's family go through an entire box of these each week. We love our little cuties.




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Happy Weekend!



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love day

Faith

For those of you who don't know, her middle name is 'Faith'. We chose that for her very thoughtfully and intentionally.

And that namesake is turning out to be more fitting than we ever thought. She's been asking some seriously monumental questions lately about heaven, faith, and God. Her sweet little 4-year-old heart and mind are just swirling with questions and I cherish our deep and thought-provoking conversations lately.


Here are just a sampling of the questions she has asked me recently:

• Why do you call him "Christ the Lord"? I thought His name was Jesus?
• Are there beds in heaven for me to sleep in?
• How do you die?
• Will we still be a family when we're in heaven?
• How can God hear my prayers if I don't say them out loud?
• What is a sin?
• Why did Jesus have nails in his hands?
• What does glory mean?
• How can God be Jesus' daddy? I thought Joseph was?
• Why does God make some houses big and some houses small?
• Is there regular food in heaven?

Um....WHOA.

Daily I am humbled by her desire to seek answers to these burning (and quite valid) questions. When I answer, I try to strike a balance between what I know her little preschool mind can process but at the same time give weight to the seriousness of the topic. It's really challenging! But so incredibly special.

I can only pray that God would continue to give me these opportunities to share His glory with her but also that he would give me the words and answers.

Now that I'm an adult, I know and accept that I will never have all the answers. But I will never stop pursuing more of Christ and His word in my life. I just hope that my children will see that it's a lifelong pursuit. We never stop learning, asking, researching, and growing. And I'm thankful that He promises to reveal himself to those who seek him.







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Web Favs of the Week 2.13.12

Lovin this song and this song.


Adding this necklace to my long Etsy shopping list.


Saving up for some Glitter Toms!


Loved this list of 20 Questions to Ask your Spouse on a date night.


Great article over at Relevant entitled You Never Marry the Right Person.


Helpful post about basic photography principles using an Oreo cookie analogy. When cookies are used as part of the lesson, I am able to pay attention better.


To all the Fathers of Daughters out there... do you even understand the depth of the influence you have on your precious baby girl?? It's monumental! Read this.


Great reminder about how good life really is over at one of my fav blogs.


I'm a huge Pandora.com fan. My favorite stations play as our background music throughout the day. This Kids Praise & Worship station is one of my go-to's when the kids are in the room.


Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies.... Can I get an Amen?


This cartoon made me laugh (and cry a little).


Really helpful post about the importance of creating a consistent brand for your business and blog.


A great post about making room for what you value in life. It's so important to reevaluate this every now and then.


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five on friday

{five photos from our week}



Loving some new prints I got framed for the family room this week. Thank you Jessica!




My little Valentines and I made Chocolate Covered Strawberries.




My son is the messiest child I have ever known. So.... I taught him how to vacuum. It's only fair.




Working on getting rid of aforementioned son's favorite thing in the entire world. It's time.




Loving my refrigerator covered in handwritten notes from AF. Makes me smile when I'm filling up the sippy cups 874 times a day.


Happy Weekend!


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DIY Leg warmers

I wear boots a lot in the winter. And I've been loving the look of layering them with long socks or leg warmers underneath. So when I saw this idea on Pinterest, orginally posted here, I decided to give it a try. Super easy.




I found two old sweaters in my closet that I haven't worn in years, one gray and one navy.





Cut the sleeves off...





And turned them into leg warmers.


Yep, it's that easy. Love it.


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