While these two have been in school (this picture was taken on their first day), I have had some fun times with Claire. There have been some grumpy times too, and I think I just figured out part of that grumpiness last night...I didn't know but she has been working on her 2 year molars (just a few days before she turns 3). But overall, this time alone with Claire has been a blessing. Let me tell you, she is one funny, little girl. 
Here are some pictures of a day last month when we decided to have a picnic in our front yard.
We ate lunch, read books, and just enjoyed hanging out with one another. It was almost unbearable for Lydia to hear we had done this without her, so I offered to get the sleeping bag back out again and spread it out for her for an afternoon read and snack. Her frowns quickly turned to smiles!
The only problem now was figuring out which position was the most comforable.
And while Jake does love a good book, this day he decided to engage in another favorite past time...catching bugs. His classroom has frogs and he had been catching frog food!
Here are some pictures of a day last month when we decided to have a picnic in our front yard.
We ate lunch, read books, and just enjoyed hanging out with one another. It was almost unbearable for Lydia to hear we had done this without her, so I offered to get the sleeping bag back out again and spread it out for her for an afternoon read and snack. Her frowns quickly turned to smiles!
The only problem now was figuring out which position was the most comforable.
And while Jake does love a good book, this day he decided to engage in another favorite past time...catching bugs. His classroom has frogs and he had been catching frog food!
Eight years ago, a little boy entered into our family on October 14th and stole my heart immediately. How could I love one so much that I barely knew? And yet, that love was intense and fierce. I now understood the terminology, "a mother's love..." I was so thankful to the Lord for His precious gift to Dan and myself with entrusting this little one to us. I still say that today. My, oh my, there are so many times I feel I fail my kids. But, God, in His Grace, allows me to keep the privilege of being called their mama. These days are much harder than the ones pictured above. The issues are tougher and our goal is to raise our son with a heart that follows after the Lord. Respect, obedience, and gratefulness are continual goals, instead of holding a head up (as pictured below) walking, talking, and potty-training. While those physical milestones were important, the heart of my kids is oh, so much more! 
And so to my big, ol' eight year old... I love you soo much. You make me smile and you have since the day we brought you home. I am overflowing with love for you and thank God so much for putting you in our family. You are a blessing from the Lord!
While these pictures are about a month and a half old, I had to share them and the experience. One day, near the end of summer vacation, we decided to go to the Greene as a family and let the kids play in the fountains (we are so blessed to be only a mile away). Claire has yet to completely soak herself in the water, but she always seems to find something to do on the outskirts of the splashy fun. She'll wander around the circle, find a puddle, and often times, a friend as well. And this day was no exception...only this time, she found her twin. Granted, she would have to be a fraternal twin, as the girls were complete opposites...Claire, with her blond, straight, short hair and blue eyes and Aubrey with dark, curly, long hair and beautiful brown eyes. Also, I suppose the whole twin thing doesn't work because of the fact that Aubrey was almost a year younger than Claire. But find each other they did. And it was instant friendship. In fact, the next time we went to the Greene, Claire asked where Aubrey was. Enjoy the pictures...they are pretty cute!
