Soaking You Up: Anastasia

I want to soak up:

How delicate you look at the world and at the same time how excited you get about everything.

Your "oooo"s. 

You are the first to notice anything new and different.

How you have learned to pester your brothers in the most adorable way.

How fearless you are and how you love being one of the kids now...no longer are you a baby.

I want to soak up your little finger point and your babbling mama through the house.

I want to soak up your sweet baby kisses and best baby hugs.

I want to soak up your mischief and impish self.

The way you run to your Daddy everyday after work plant a wet open mouth kiss on him, then me, then him.

Your love for swinging, even in the cold wind.

Anastasia, I want to soak up every bit of you and your ways as everyday you grow so much.

Friday Photo Favorites

Cowpokes.

Soaking You Up: George

I want to soak up:

your need to be loved, cuddled and held,

your need to love, cuddle and hold me,

your ability to play for hours by yourself,

your ability to communicate with little to no words just intense eyes,

your love for dirt, dump trucks and trains,

how you play so well with Mary Colette and enjoy being part of the gang,

your new found freedom on your balance bike and how when we go on walks you gabber away as you ride,

your love for pjs,

how you seek me out to tell me that really important tidbit afterwards scampering off to continue your play,

your self directed jobs you give yourself.

your sheer goofiness and sweet little songs you sing when you think no one is listening

George, I want to soak up every bit of you. You melt my heart and make me giggle everyday. I love you.

Friday Photo Favorites

Friday Photo Favorites

Helping Hands

As a parent, watching this play out melts the heart. The eagerness of the bigs to share their fun and joy with the little, and in turn he's willingness to allow them to showing him the way. A moment of harmony, love, determination and pure enjoyment. Laughs and giggles waft up all the way to the kitchen window.

Soaking You Up: Mary Colette

I want to soak up:
your enduring love for your sister,

your almost as big as your face smile that lights up the room,

the funny things you say,

your need to sit and just be with me daily,

your sweetest prayers and completely faith in God,

your infectious enthusiasm and unrelenting tenaciousness,

your love for dancing and twirling,
your need to mother and care for littles,

your confidence,

your deep concern for your family.

Mary Colette I want to soak up every festive, sweet and challenging moment with you.

God's Calling

The three eldest were discussing future plans when Avery came over and confided in me, "Mommy, I think God is calling me to be a priest."

Mary Colette chimed in, "I think God is calling me to be a sacristan, or probably a princess because I love to twirl."

Soaking You Up: Avery

I want to soak up:

Your toothless smile.

Your sparkling eyes

Your extremely delight and enjoyment of life.

How you have exploded in art and have more confidence and desire to try something new. How your art reflects our lives both lived and read about lately.

How you come to find me each day at dinner prep to help. 

How you just about explode daily to the outside...you need room to grow.

How you are beginning to see what needs to be done and take your own ignitive to do the chore. 

How you have a deep concern for me and seek me out daily to ask what you can do to help. 

How you relish your Annie, you love playing with her and she returns the silliness. 

Your pure wonderment...I want to soak you up.

Friday Photo Favorites

Soaking You Up: Paul Thomas

I want to soak up: 

How you adore babies. You love all you baby siblings and cousins and never seem to shy away from an opportunity to love on them.

How helpful you are. You thrive on having duties and responsibilities.

How you take care of us all and remind us of the task at hand.

How you have grown into a handsome and reflective young man.

How you are taking your first communion prep seriously and with great weight.

How you delight in taking care of Annie K and she delights in you.

How you are feeling so much with all the big transitions lately and how you trust us with your heavy heart. 

How you so enjoy listening to your Daddy read The Greek Myths right now or listen to Little House on the Prairie...how you just enjoy a good book.

I just want to soak you up.