My Girls

I love that these two are mine. I love that I love my girls. I feel so bonded to them. I love Eloise's amazing hugs and soft, thoughtful kisses. I love her hilarious and contagious laugh. I love that she wants to help with everything and can actually help with a lot of things. I love that Marie snuggles-and actually does snuggle. I love her face covered in milk, especially when her belly is showing from under her shirt.  I love that Eloise copies everything I'm doing with Marie and tries so hard to replicate it and to be kind. She is so very, very, kind. I love that one day they'll be saying, "Goodnight Girls" to their own daughters. I hope they feel as fulfilled as a mother as I do when I look at their sweet faces and know I'm helping to shape our posterity. Each day I have the chance to give them a positive "program" of motherhood. Each day I pray and pray and pray that I will have the strength to do what He wants me to do and to help these little ones grow to be the women He wants them to become.

What Do We Do with 45 Minutes to Spare?

We go to the park when it's sunny! There is a park just a few minutes away from Cedrik's piano lesson and this last week we decided it was nice enough to go. We had so much fun. Freddie commented, "Mom, I love spending time together when it's just with you." We can really feel the difference when we get to spend time together without Cedrik. The kids are always ready to see him again but it's nice to have that special time because the other three really demand so much less attention from me and I forget that they are fun. They are really fun to be with.

Cedrik's First Piano Recital

Cedrik had his first piano recital. He and Jordan performed Skip to My Lou. It was fun and he did fantastic. He is definitely his harshest critic so we try to just be positive. His teacher seems to love him. And he's in love with her.

Awesomeness

The hair. The dress up. The bunny ears.

V-Day

Valentine's fell on a Sunday. I printed out hearts with phrases about God's love that had corresponding scriptures with them. ("God's love is unchangeable. God's love is kind.") At lunch Cedrik chose a few to read and we read the scriptures together while we ate. My intent was to fill up on God's love so that we could more easily give love to others. The next day ended up being a really bad day all around for attitudes, mine included. I did try and we are still trying to do better, myself included.

After naps we went to Chari's house for dinner and to decorate sugar cookies. All of the kids (except Eloise) lost the privilege of eating their cookie that night and had to save it until the next evening but they still had fun decorating and playing.