A Jaunt to Tiny Pebble

Over the river and through the woods to Little Rock we've gone to visit dear dear friends. My heart rejoices at the memories we made over a long last weekend. We filled our time with delicious meals, Wonder Place playing, hand-holding and cupcakes, to name just a few. Our little wee ones are a year apart we have missed getting together regularly! I think Katie said it best, "I've been waiting for this." (I think that was spoken when our kiddos were simultaneously shrieking with laughter playing peekaboo through a window with the dogs...) Can't wait for their return soon so we can share more shenanigans!

There's a crack in everything... or This one's about grace.

Every time I open my refrigerator door I see these magnets. And it always bothers me how the grace one is cracked and broken the most. I can't bear to throw it away, so its imperfection just glares at me. Originally it was purchased because of our first daughter's name. And it still symbolizes her - in all her precious pink wiggly orneriness. Now more than ever, grace means so much to me, or rather, it really means something to me. Parenthood is full of tough knocks. Most of which include being hard on myself. Having a little person around absolutely confirms that I need God and his grace. As much as I think I don't deserve/need to earn His grace and love, I can't. As many times as that little one does not deserve it, she's already received it. There are so many things in a day/week/month that are full of cracks: my attitude, the list of things I set out to do and did not, my patience, my heart, my priorities...and yet, He loves cracked little broken me and gives me grace. He will never throw me away. I am always His child, and oh, how He loves us.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There's a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Leonard Cohen

My Funny Valentine

Valentine's Day started with cuddling Ellie dog on "the brown chair," and ended with homemade cherry pie a la mode at the folks' house. The best line of the day (and biggest word out of the babe's mouth) was to my parents: "Thank you for your hospitality!" (Mimicking Daddy Carl). It's the simple things!

Girlie Got a Haircut

Gracie got her first official haircut today! Had to crack up when her stylist arrived ten minutes late, was in her 60s, wearing a miniskirt with thigh high stockings AND wanted to cut bangs on our little dear. I'm sure they'd be cute, but I have too many memories still so prevalent about my own bangs as a girl. (Sorry, Mom! I know that was the trend!)

She sat still (without bribery!) and did wonderful! We did give in to having her hair curled...I'm too chicken to go near our wiggle worm with a hot curling iron. She looks darling! But of course I'm biased.

Before:


During:








After!