Masterpiece

Abby LOVES to draw. And she's pretty good at it. I'll catch her drawing in her room late at night; she's always got a story to go along with each creation.

Here's one of my favorites, which just so happens to have adorned our driveway a few weeks ago.

 

I think it's funny that she always labels Madeline as "baby."

 

It's Official!

Dr. Hartin has an office. What's more, he has his name ON THE SIGN.

We are so proud of you, Chip!



Of course the kids loved the kitchen...

Books, Castles, and Bears ... Oh, My!

Abby took a field trip at the end of August to the Upcountry History Museum. To see Smokey the Bear. Yeah.

She loved the Smokey exhibit SO much that she talked me into taking the kids back the next day. So I did. It was Saturday, and NO ONE was at the museum. The kids and I spent almost a good hour just playing and goofing off at the cool campsite exhibit. And to top it off, we met Smokey.

 

 

After the museum we strolled next door to the library. (We lived it up that Saturday, let me tell you!)

 



School Boy

I caught this shot one day after preschool. Where is my little boy?

 



Children's Museum Fun

Slow Down, Baby Girl

Slow down, baby girl.

The world will be yours soon enough.

Until then, play with your dolls. Roll in the grass. Laugh until it hurts. Cry without apology. Sing loudly and dance wildly. Play pretend. Soak up the sun. Run in the rain. Slide down slides and swing on swings. Smile at others. Be kind. Color the sidewalk. Paint your nails. Take naps. Memorize Scripture. Make messes. Read. Dream.

Slow down, baby girl.

The world will be yours soon enough.

This picture captures the dichotomy of Abby. Her high-heeled feet don't reach the ground, but she so badly wants to be a grown-up.

Wring It Dry

There are days when my head hits the pillow a pang of guilt hits my heart.

You see, I don't always soak up every precious moment of the day. I don't stop and take the time to really see behind the kids' tears or to really listen or to just STOP and enjoy the moment.

I liken it to hanging up a towel at the end of the day. Too often my towel was still soaking wet; I wasn't wringing it dry of all my husband, kids, and most importantly, God, had to offer me.

More than that, I wasn't offering all I had either. Things were left unsaid, lessons unshared, and kindness unspoken.

In pursuit of wringing my days dry, I'm slowing down and being more involved in the present moment. Dinner can wait an extra 10 minutes, and the grass can go another day without being cut. But I can't get these blink-once-and-the-kids-are-grown days back.

While being "tickle-tortured" by the two older kids, I looked down and noticed Maddie was wearing William's shoes. This is the shot I got as she was pulling them off. I'm glad I took the time to slow down and have a little fun.