Ecclesiastes 3:1

Not so long ago, a grandmother of a student at M and M's school saw me lugging in my 2 babies, 3 bags, 2 waters, 2 lunches all the while my babies walked hand in hand in front of me, their only concern was who was taking whom to his/her classroom first.  In passing she said, "just remember the days seem long sometimes, but the moments and years will go too fast."

I think about that a lot.   It makes me sad, It grounds me when I am exhausted, and it makes me grateful.

This year has been a season of change for me.  Although VERY gradual, I think God knows what I could handle this year...nonetheless there was change and growth.  They were in separate classes this year.  They were at the same school though, so they got to see each other throughout the day, and play together.  We walked in together.  At the beginning of the year I had one on my hip and the other by the hand, and now we all walk in together and today  we all walked out together...for the last time.

And just like that this year is over.  It was yesterday that we were getting our packet and bag for Madden's class, it was yesterday we got the news that Harwood would have a 3-5 year old class.  It was yesterday that they still had each other in the same building.

Today as we walked out together hand in hand for the last time, was I super emotional and uncertain?  Yes.  Do I sometimes think I can't take it I must not me cut out for this? Yes. Have we prayed about every decision we have made over and over again each day? Yes.  I know that God has this next leg of our journey already laid out for us in His perfect plan, but it wouldn't be the truth if I didn't acknowledge that ache in my heart for the sweet days when they were in the same class, or that peace you get from knowing that each of them is enamored with their teachers and their friends.  There is a time for everything I know, but that short sweet window of togetherness where they might as well have been twins... well I can see the end of those days.  I have to say that carpool and talking to teachers lately has not been my "usual happy time" as it was, somedays the goal is just not to cry at school...because even though the days did seem long, and it is hard having 2 this close together...

 the year went too fast.

"There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yep he's 4!

Murphy's trampoline or the "jumping player" as Madden calls it.

tinky at murphy's school party...he was so happy to have her there.

April 10!

LOVE this picture!!

Melts a mommas heart...sometimes I think I'm not cut out for this!

Happy birthday to Tink at school

Ms. Denise and Ms. Amy

She's 3!

Her birthday mani/pedi, she's had more than I have this year :)

I am sure you won't believe this but you could hear her sing every word from the BACK of the sanctuary

A hug and a kiss for a great end of the year program

This is the hallway they shared this year.

“From the fullness of grace we have received one blessing after another” - John 1:16

Tinky has Magic in her eyes... its all in that bright twinkle she has you can see it especially when she smiles and even more when she laughs.  She can do anything she imagines, the possibilities stretch from the moon and back.   Madden makes me want to be a better mom, a better friend, a better listener, more understanding, and to have sensitivity and concern for others like she does...is hard to even understand how so many qualities shine so clearly in one little person.  I am amazed by her.  Everyday.

Madden is turning 3 this week.  It really seems like I blinked and I was a mom, then I blinked and she was here.  In a blink there was a baby sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece.  I blinked and she was walking, I blinked and she was going to school, I blinked and she counted, I blinked and her "sucker" was a thing of the past she could write her letters and point out triangles and hexagons everywhere we go... I blinked and she was turning 2 and I blinked again and here we are.  

 In between those brief instances that are now memories there were 10,000,000 hugs, kisses, words, moments that will bind us forever.  In between those blinks I fell deeper and deeper in love with this precious one.  Her giggle is not from the world.  Her spirit She fills my soul with gratitude, she is a delight, she sweeps my heart away like no other can. I look at her and know I can do more, be more and its all because she thinks I can.

Dear Tinky,

When you were born, I fell so in love with you I could never imagine how much my 2 babies would take over my heart.  I hold my breath when you try something new and fight the urge to wrap you up in my arms and hold you like that forever...you do things that amaze us every single day. Your sweet spirit and your precious heart is one of the greatest gifts I have seen and makes us more proud than I can explain.  You have grown up so much in a year.  I have watched you make new friends, you have empathy and a quiet understanding that is unreal, and you love others with such ease and so much passion.

Happy birthday baby tinky, I love you with my whole heart ...I can't wait to see God's hand and his plans in your life...my sweet, sweet Tink you are bound to do things, things I can only dream of.  I am filled with wonder and awe that God would bless me with such an incredible daughter.  Keep dreaming sweet girl, let Him carry you to great places and let Him guide you as your magic touches the world.

You are too good to be true,

Momma

Round 2 

our first family of 4 picture

My two M's tinky has always loved her jewelry I have to tell her about my Ms all of the time

Curly Tops

And the sucker...

Left leg louise

 Tinky sandwiches

teapot or tink?

Turning 1

I love love love this picture, I don't where she thinks she's  going, but she's going!

turning 2