Honesty.

Let's be honest. Sometimes it's hard for me to adjust back and forth between the manic multi-tasking busyness of the life of a teacher-mom and the under-recognized, under-appreciated loveliness of "staying home" with my lovelies. (And this "staying home" in in quotes because, like all "stay-at-home-moms" out there, I end up filling my days with trips to the bank, multiple grocery stores, dry cleaners, doctor's office usually with a subsequent visit to the pharmacy, library, etc.) It can be difficult to go from running to pick up twenty-five little needy ones from recess to plopping on the floor with Legos. It can be challenging to switch from hurry-mode to enjoy-mode. From test scores to diapers, from lunch lines to dirty dishes, from reciting the Declaration of Independence to singing "Old MacDonald", both are truly my calling, but it isn't always easy.





But when I look, when I listen, when I choose to breathe the beauty of the moment...





When I choose to revel in the tiniest accomplishments...







And choose to marvel at what could be mundane...



How beautiful it really is.

Special Kind of Love.

I've heard of grammies and grampies and Mee-maws and pee-paws, grandmas and grandpas and Mams and Paps. I've had two grandmas and a Lulu, two Papas and a Pop. And through this list, I'm realizing more with each day that it's a special kind of love to identify with these titles.




One that cuddles and coos.


And does anything for a grin.




And melts when the babies reach back for them.


One that doesn't tire after hours of doodling and pushing pink bikes.


And cheers for every accomplishment, mighty or tiny.


And makes memories of moments.








And cherishes and savors and lingers with every first.








Yes, it's a special kind of love to be a papa or nana.


One I'm so very blessed to raise my children under.

More.

No pictures this post. Just a another nudge to peek at my sweet babies. By clicking here.

Blessed.

I spent a little coffee time with these lovelies yesterday...



What a precious friend my dear Katie is. A co-conspirator in my hubby's plot to get me engaged nearly six years ago, we spent many an evening together that summer pining over the confusing nature of the opposite gender, drowning our sorrows with a weekly yellow cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles that would last us until the following week when we would bake another one to enjoy nightly.

And now we are mommas. Precious.


Given little Mae.


Called to baby Oscar. Documented here.
I am so inspired by her all-consuming love for her children.


Apparently so is Ellie-girl, who left her typical perch of my lap or side to go join their brood.

Yes, these babies kept us busy yesterday. Playdates for four look much different than ones for two.






Oh my heart is full.



With beauty like this...



And these...





We just had to get outside. So I snuggled the little man up.



And for a walk we went.












"My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is his name."
Luke 1:46-49


This is true.

Morning Bliss

Mmm...I love mornings. My whole family is downstairs in deep slumber, and I've had the luxury of spending the last ninety minutes with Pandora set to the Waterdeep station, a journal, my creamed-up coffee, a book and sweet peace. And after a weekend like we had, I couldn't ask for much more...

See we spent the week with loveliness like this...









Yes, little El loves her friend, "A-Vee". That little Miss Avery has some serious spunk. And we LOVE it. Love her. Seriously.

Plus a stair-step-cousin play date morning that flooded me with memories of my own cousin adventures, mostly taking place here.



So while this little man was snoozing...



And with spring flirting with summer weather, one little artist (for the sake of this post, pronounced "Are-Teest") got busy...








Seriously busy.








Poor thing, she has a teacher for a momma.

But then, when weekend arrived, so did a flu bug.


Little miss was totally out of commission.


Just wanted to snuggle.


And little brother was concerned. (The best part of this picture is that this mister is just about the most content little guy that I could imagine so we don't see much of this face, but this picture is just so darn funny...)

But by Sunday evening, we appeared to be on the mend...we will see...meanwhile, I enjoy my mornings, gearing up for another beloved mommy duty day.