Thankful

After two days of hurrying, cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, cleaning again, cooking some more, eating, NOT napping, I finally have a moment to reflect. 

We had such a lovely Thanksgiving. Surrounded by my most favorite people, lots of food, lots of pie and lots of love -- it couldn't have been more perfect. 

Oil & Water, Part 2

Another installment of "Look How Drastically Different My Girls Are" …

 Turkey by Grace:

 Turkey by Claire:

Winter Is Coming ... But Not Yet

Fall is my favorite season. 

Except when winter finally gives way to spring and the little blades of grass poke up through the ground and blossoms dangle from tree branches. 

And, of course, summer with its carefree days and lightning bug nights. 

Don't even get me started on winter with its snowball fights, hot chocolate, warm fires and the joys of the Christmas season. 

So, yes, fall is my favorite. Except for all the others. They're my favorites, too. 

On a recent walk, I turned around to see if Scott and Grace were coming, saw these two peas in a pod and I just started laughing. All she needs is a Royals hat. 

Family Is

Family is unconditional love. 

Family is squeezing together in a too-small bed on a Saturday morning, snuggled under the covers watching cartoons. 

Family is letting the more tired one sleep in while you attend a tea party at 7:30 a.m.

Family is sitting on the cold bathroom floor at 2 a.m. (and 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.) with your sick kiddo. 

Family is making a late-evening run to Dillons on a mere hope that a much-loved stuffed animal is there. 

Family is reading 101 Dalmatians for the 52nd time. 

Family is watching your kids grow, loving every minute of it and longing for it to slow down. 

Family is happiness.

Moments Worth Remembering

When the girls were babies, just the sight of them could take my breath away. I'd leave the room for a minute to get a drink, walk back in, see them and be amazed that I was actually their Mom. Weird, I know. Here I was drudging through the normalcy of life and then all of the sudden, the figurative clouds opened up and I saw the girls in this amazing light. 

It doesn't happen quite as much as it used to — I'm pretty used to being their Mom now. But when it does, it's almost like I'm seeing them for the first time — not as the tantrum-throwing, sister-hitting, constantly defiant children that they are increasingly becoming — but these two incredible little girls who I get to walk through life with. 

And those are the moments that make all the tantrums, all the kicks, all the spitting, all the "NO!" totally worth it. 

Capturing Claire

Claire has taken an interest in photography lately. She finds something worthy of a picture, runs to find my phone and then races back to capture the moment. Most of the time it's a cookie. Or a donut. 

Here are some of her latest artistic moments:

And my personal favorite ...

The Many Faces of Grace

If this girl of mine doesn't end up doing something with drama later in life, I'll be shocked.