This And That

I never want to forget how the slow pace of these days is nothing short of life giving. It's what I never knew I needed. It will be hard to one day go back to sports practices and birthday parties and school and homework and go go go go go. Because right now is heaven. Just so sweet.

Like pancake breakfasts on sunny mornings.

Like Charlotte starting to stand up.

Like Buzz Lightyear in my living room.

Like Henry walking into the kitchen and saying, "LOOK! I DRESSED MYSELF! This is my teenager shirt, Mom. It says 'college' on it."

The child is literally wearing a swim shirt backwards that says OBX for Outer Banks on the back. I cannot even.

Lord Jesus, thank You for these blessed days.

Petit Jean For A Break

During Covid, I am only going to the grocery store once a week. Right now, while Scott is still living in Houston, my mom comes over and watches the kiddos. So, this morning I made my grocery run. When I got back, my mom asked, "Do you want to go to Petit Jean today? Just load up the kids and go? We can pack a picnic."

Um, YES. 1000% YES. We had a full day of nothing planned, as per usual these days.

We went and had such a nice time! We had a picnic lunch and a lovely couple of short hikes, all social distancing of course (this was made much easier because we went on a Wednesday). The boys loved the Bear Cave Trail--Jack, especially! He was climbing all over the place. Henry followed along behind, trying to keep up. My dad followed along behind Henry, trying to keep him alive. It was cute! Fun, fun times!

Sweet Baby Girl

Sweet baby girl was all grins over her new bath toy -- a little mermaid! And yes, I squealed when I saw the mermaid in the store during my weekly run this morning. I mean, I still can't believe I get to buy things like little mermaid toys. Precious!

I love my sweet Charlotte so much it makes my heart ache. She is so pensive and thoughtful and sweet. I know God has big plans for this little sugar!

I'm so grateful to be her mama!

Best Buds

Covid-19 has brought heartache and loneliness and fear. And I'm trying to continue to see the good side of things, the positive side, and to keep things happy and light.

One thing I do not have to try very hard to observe is this: My boys are getting along like never before. No, we're not perfect over here and there are plenty of arguments and moments of chaos. But, these boys have become thick as thieves. They laugh, they play, they run around, they build, they spend all day every day together. And they're not used to that.

The new camaraderie between my boys is bringing such joy to my heart. They are clinging to each other in the middle of this pandemic and making sweet memories. This morning, they watched Scooby Doo and snuggled together on the sofa. I snapped this photo. I don't want to forget these days. The boys are best buds, and I pray they always will be. 

Slip 'n Sliding

Last week, while doing my once-a-week, early-morning grocery run, I bought an old school slip 'n slide for the boys. {Mind you, of course people nowadays don't call it a slip 'n slide, but we all know darn well what it is.} Today, the forecast called for rain, rain, and more rain. Not the right time to break it out. But, YAY for weather forecasts being dead wrong!

Slip 'n slide time, indeed!

The boys were a bit apprehensive at first. Like, "We seriously just fling our bodies down onto this thing, and it's going to be fun!? You sure!?"

Oh yeah, trust me. Mama is sure.

They laughed and laughed and laughed. They played on that thing until every blade of grass beneath it was as dead as a doornail. I did not hear ONE argument amongst them for almost two hours. There was no way I was stopping them for anything.

I sat on the back deck and nursed Charlotte and just watched my babies. I'm so grateful they have each other for company and companionship in the midst of Covid and quarantine.

Here's to a fun summer full of slip 'n slide memories!

Charlotte’s First Easter

Certainly this Easter is odd in the midst of a quarantine. But my mother smocked this beautiful bonnet to match my Easter dress from when I was a baby for Charlotte. She looked so beautiful and picturesque when my mom and I dressed her, that we were both fighting back tears. I love this sweet blessing!