Family Fun Day

One of the things that I love most about Paul is that when something is important to him, he gives it his everything. This is especially true when it comes to our family, Paul works extremely hard to provide us with everything that we need and often things that we want. Unfortunately this also means that he works many hours, including working evenings and weekends when he can. So this limits the amount of quality family time we get together. 

Last Saturday Paul surprised Grace and I with a family fun day. He got us up, packed up, loaded in the car and on the road. We headed to Sherwood for 'Cruisin' Sherwood' for their annual classic car show. It was a great time just walking around and looking at cars. Grace enjoyed looking at the cars and people so much that she even stayed in her stroller most of the time! The car show was also paired with the Farmers Market so there was plenty to look at!

We spent almost 3 hours just enjoying each others company, the sunshine and the sights. It was a great time to connect and just be a family, and it was free! These are the moments that mean most to us, we may not get as much time together but we are making a conscious effort to savor every chance that we have.

"My no baby!"

Last night as I was getting Grace ready for bed she spoke words that first made my jaw drop and second made my heart sink; "My no baby!" My 21 month old is already telling me that she is no longer my baby and is now a "biii gill" (big girl) How is this happening? Wasn't it just last week that we were cooing over her first words? Or wasn't it last month we were hoping and praying that I would stay pregnant long enough to develop those tiny lungs? How is she now telling me that she's not a baby!

Everyone tells you that you need to 'cherish every moment' and 'they grow up so fast.' If only I could have truly understood what that meant before the first 21 months have already flown by! But you can't slow time, and you definitely can't go back. So I have learned to actively and intentionally 'cherish every moment.' Here's a few ways that I make sure that even as time is flying by, Grace and I are making memories and not regrets. 

• SHE is more important than my iPhone. Always. Calls, texts, emails, facebook - whatever. It all comes after her. I once read a friend say that if you tell your child to wait while you update your facebook - you are telling you child they are less important than facebook.
• We play. We play at home, we play at the park, we even play at the grocery store. Especially at the toddler age ANY activity can become a game - and let me tell you things are far less stressful when you are laughing at each other. 
• We learn. Same as with play - we learn everywhere. My child is a sponge and I am her greatest teacher. She is also my greatest imitator - so if I take the time to show and explain things to her I am not only teaching her the ways of the world, but I am teaching her that I value her growth and I choose to invest in her. 
• We worship, dance, and read. We use bible stories and songs to talk about what we do during our day and how we can do it in a way to please God. 
• I pray. I pray constantly for my daughter. I pray with her and for her. It absolutely melts my heart to hear her sweet little voice end our prayers with "Ahmeen"

Don't get me wrong, we have our fights, our standoffs, temper tantrums and bad days. But each day I try to choose joy - to make choices during the day that reflect how grateful I am for the gift of raising an amazing child who will always be 'my baby.'