You know the ones . . .
When everything seems to line up, and you just go "Ahhhhh. Thank you God for this glorious day!}
That was yesterday.
By the time we were ready to check out, it had gotten quite busy. There were long lines. I picked one, and as soon as I did, a checker came right up to me and said he could help me on aisle two. Thank you!
We strolled out to the car, unloaded the bags, and then I proceeded to put the cart away. On the way back I was stopped by *another* lady whom we had run into {not literally} several times in several aisles. She just wanted to tell me that my girls were so well behaved and sweet. She said "you don't often see that nowadays". Awwwww.
By this time, it was lunch time. There is a McDonald's across the parking lot. {Don't judge}. We were the first ones in line at the drive thru. By the time we were leaving the parking lot, there were seven cars in line, and more waiting to turn in.
We drove down a little further to the gas station. This gas station is notorious for taking *FOREVER* to receive help {we live in Oregon ~ no self-serve pumps}. As soon as I pulled up, someone came right over. I was in and out in a jiffy.
I had one more stop on the way home, to pick up an ink cartridge for our printer. We got a parking place right.up.front.
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Now, don't get me wrong. We had our fair share of frustrations yesterday too. Life is especially stressful right now with our new house, appraisals, inspections, and the interest rate climbing every single day. But sometimes I think that if we stop and take note of the little, precious, day-today things that make us smile, we will find a lot more joy.
It's really all in how we view it, don't you think?
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Now, what's made *you* smile recently?
Earlier today I was vacuuming. And thinking. I tend to do my best thinking while vacuuming. It's a good thing, too, because I spend a lot of time vacuuming.
Anyway.
I started thinking about all that I have. Of course I am regularly reminded of my blessings. But, I am ashamed to admit that I rarely take a lot of time to reflect just how very blessed I am.
From the time I was a young girl I knew I wanted to be a mom. I knew I wanted to stay at home with my babies. I wanted to live close to family. And, oh yeah, a nice house and lots of clothes and "things" wouldn't hurt. Oh what big dreams I had. Over the years some of what I thought I wanted has changed. By the time Makenna was born it no longer mattered that much to me what kind of house I lived in, what brand of clothes I wore, or how many gadgets we owned. Stuff is just stuff {but don't misunderstand me, I do so love my laptop, iPhone, and camera ;)}.
Today, while vacuuming, I realized that I have everything I've always wanted. More, in fact. I have a husband ~ my friend and life long partner to share this journey with; and three BEE-UTIFUL daughters who amaze me more and more every day with their kindness, love, and sweet ways. I get to be here with them, enjoying their presence daily simply because Jeremy knows how much it means to me to do so. He works extra hard to make my dreams a reality each and every day.
And here we are, in this new chapter of life, building our home together on this land we love out in the country.
Ahhh, God is good. God is so very good.
I have more to be thankful for this year than ever before.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Could I be more blessed?
No, I don't think so.
These three little girls make me one very happy Mama!
Happy Mother's Day to all you other blessed Mamas out there!
My sweet Kameryn Faith, you are three months old today. My how time flies and stands still all at the same time. In some ways it seems only yesterday you were kicking away in my tummy (and boy did you kick! Even the nurses said they'd never seen a tummy change shapes like mine). Though in many others it seems like you've been with us forever.
A short NICU visit
Three months ago, today, you made your grand appearance into this world, albeit a little early, and a little forced. You weren't ready, were ya? Yeah, me neither. I cherished the time I had you all to myself. That day, your birth day, was an uncertain one. You were supposed to be on the brink of heart failure. You were supposed to need a blood transfusion. You were supposed to have a lengthy NICU stay ahead of you. But you didn't. You arrived screaming and yelling and putting up quite a fuss. And after a very short NICU visit (it was so short I'm not even going to call it a stay), you were right where you needed to be . . . in my arms, in my room, with me.
Wow, I look so pretty. Two weeks in the hospital and 26 hours of labor, later.
And that's pretty much where you've been ever since, isn't it? Nursing in my lap, cuddled in the sling, sleeping peacefully beside me in our bed at night. We're inseparable, you and me. And I'm not the only one who thinks you're something special. Your sisters cannot get enough of you. They, in fact, fight over who gets to be closest to you, who gets to give you a big smooch first, who loves you the most. And you've always got a grin for your daddy. I know there's a special place in his heart just for you.
Getting so big!
At three months old you weigh 14 pounds. Not so tiny anymore, are ya? You barely fit into 0-3 month clothing (though we're trying to squeeze you in a little longer as all your 3-6 month clothing is for warm weather, and we haven't had much of that lately!). You give the sweetest smiles, enjoy bath time, and LOOOVE to dance. Your sisters plug in the iPod, Mama scoops you up, and you show off your moves. You are spittier than your sisters were, and have the hiccups all.the.time. You're not a quiet little thing. No, not in the least. And you never want to be put down. No swing or bouncy seat for you. But that's okay, there's always someone waiting to hold you.
