It's finally here!  Although, for me it seems like I just posted about my kids' first day of school.  The girls had just started kindergarten and I couldn't believe I had a fourth grader.  Now an entire year has passed, they're older, smarter, more independent than ever, and they just keep getting bigger.  I'm thinking by the end of next year it's very possible that my son will be eye to eye with me.  It just doesn't seem like it could possibly be true...and yet it is.  No matter how often I think of the day I first held his tiny little body, with his big, black, round eyes staring into me he still keeps growing.  I remember when I held my sweet little twins, I would try and just cherish every moment because I knew it would probably be the only time I would get to hold four and five pound babies for such long periods of time. 

Those sweet days and weeks after a new baby is born are unlike any others.  Our  home seemed so like a sweet haven from everything else that was happening.  My kids adored would adore that sweet baby and there was never enough time in the day to give the sweet little one (or ones in our case) all the love that we wanted to give.  When my last little missie was born she couldn't be held enough and we had to use a timer so that everyone would have a chance to give all the love they wanted to give.  Sweet times!

Now, things are just as sweet just so different from those precious weeks when I knew that they couldn't last long because kids can't wait to grow up.  It's so exciting how things change every single day!  Right before school got out Miriam finally lost her first tooth, Emmett loses a tooth about once a week, Emma is always finding new things to sing about and can often be found singing at the top of her lungs either a Martina McBride or Faith Hill song (complete with a great deal of passion and drama), Gracie is always trying to be six.  She doesn't know what three year olds do but she knows that she can do anything a six year old can do.  Just in the last couple of weeks we've had picnics on the driveway,  new windows, a trip to the doctor for some stitches, a lost tooth, painted a room in our house, rearranged rooms, and completely made a mess of our house doing our spring declutter.  Gotta love the way life just keeps moving and changing!

I had the best Mother's Day! 

I am the most blessed mom to have gotten to hang out with my favorite people in the world in an absolutely gorgeous place.  First thing in the morning my sweet little family woke me up with a delicious breakfast in bed.  For lunch we packed up a picnic and headed for the mountains.  One of our favorite places is right next to a river.  We brought pillows and blankets and books and great food.  If was such a wonderful, relaxing afternoon. 

Emma with her happy, carefree ways.  Gracie, bandaids on her head...not because she has an owie but because they are a great fashion accessory.  Emmett being the kind brother, reading to his sisters and giving piggy back rides for tired legs.  Miriam, always sweet and always so willing to give and to just be.  My awesome, hot husband who always wants everyday to be my best day...especially special days.  I am so blessed.

EMBRACE. LIFE.