Together

I've said this before...I always wanted a sister.  I love my brother so much, but growing up I really wanted a sister, too. 

It seems like there's such a special bond between sisters (I know that isn't true in every case, but the potential for tight friendship is there).  Girls growing up in the same family, experiencing their parents and siblings in similar ways as well as in ways that speak to their differences and uniqueness.  Playing together.  Giggling together.  Telling secrects together.  Just being together.

Eliana wants to be wherever the big kids are...

but it's true the other way around, too.

An Unlikely Snugglee

We had a visitor in our house today.

Meet Mr. Snaily.

Unlike most of his kind, he is soft and warm, very cozy and easy to snuggle.  A strange breed, certainly, but this one I prefer over the slimier garden variety.  There is no residual ooze on my couch, or my daughter.

Mr. Snaily liked kisses.  He just sat on Eliana's lap and let her love on him; and she had an unlimited supply of lovin'.

I cannot tell you how much joy this fluffy, white creature from the depths of Michaela's mind and the perfect softness of this blanket brought to our house today.

I do not know what inspired Mr. Snaily into being, but their imaginations inspire me every day.

A Beautiful Morning

This morning the girls and I went for a walk. It was so nice out, cool and a little overcast. It made them want to run. They ran and walked and stopped to smell the roses, or whatever flowers happened to be there. We studied roly-polies... and noticed flowers that we had never seen before... Of course, these beauties are always around... beautiful pinks... beautiful reds... beautiful daughters... a beautiful friend... It was, indeed, a beautiful morning.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on earth and friends above;
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy Church that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best gift divine,
To our race so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Baby Love

Eliana loves to push babies around in the doll strollers we have. 

Even when the babies are big, she will keep on pushing...

It's hard work, but she has such a nurturing heart, she's committed to it. 

I am grateful for how close they are.

Irresistible

 Yes, I just couldn't help myself...you know how I am when it comes to sweets!

Not just chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake, either...